British speedway racer responds to stamp allegations after post-race scuffle

A post-race scuffle between two speedway racers has led to one of the riders involved sharing his view on the incident, after receiving online criticism.

Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris was one of the riders involved in the incident, which took place at a British Speedway meet between the Glasgow Tigers and Plymouth Gladiators. 

Following one of the race heats, Glasgow Tigers rider Harris and Ben Barker came to blows on the cool down lap.

The two riders got very close as words were exchanged, before Harris shoved Barker away from him.

The pair then collided when Harris turned directly into the path of Barker, who was unable to avoid his rival.

The social media footage shows Harris trying to remove himself from the melee, but in doing so it appears as though he stamped in the direction of Barker. 

However, Harris has since provided an explanation as to what happened, saying he did not stamp on his opponent and that he was instead trying to free himself from between the two bikes, before he intended to help Barker back to his feet.

But before he could help Barker, mechanics managed to get in between the two riders which led to Harris being ushered away. 

You can watch the incident below.

Speaking about the incident, Harris said: 

“JUST TO CLEAR UP THE INCIDENT AT PLYMOUTH

“I wasn’t going to comment on what happened after the race, but after seeing some of the comments and conclusions being drawn from the TV footage, I feel I need to clear one thing up.

“FACT: I DID NOT STAMP ON HIM.

“After the race, Ben deliberately came round to confront me and threatened to put me in the fence. I turned abruptly and stopped my bike towards my mechanic. He then made contact with me and came off, leaving both bikes tangled together.

As I stepped off my bike, his bike was directly in the space where I needed to put my foot. I had nowhere to put it, so I was trying to free myself and kick the bike out of the way so I could get clear.

“I then went to step across the bike to untangle everything and help him up, but before I could, the mechanics intervened.

“The OPINION: I stamped on him.

“The FACT: I did NOT stamp on him.

“The TV footage only showed the incident from one camera angle, and I understand why that angle may give a completely different impression.

“The movement people are interpreting as a “stamp” was me trying to get my foot down, free myself and move the bike that was in my way.

“It was a heated incident, absolutely, but I want to be completely clear: I did not stamp on him.”

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