Michael Hertrich

[J_D]

I noticed that Michael Hertrich appeared in the German results section in the speedway star the other week. I remember him having practices over in the UK around 2002/2003 time when he was about 15. What has he been up to, did he retire or suffer a long term injury or been doing just Longtrack like many other German riders?

 

I believe he was touted for greatness but like many German riders never seem to progress on the short tracks.

[DutchGrasstrack]

He retired for a couple years and now made his comeback, gave speedway a try again in Brokstedt a month ago and is now racing for the Brokstedt team. He's got some pretty descent results already.

[iris123]

He was pretty good as a youngster.But thought i read that he was a bit too fond of nichtclubs and then gave speedway up to take up some form of fighting sport.Don't think it was boxing.Maybe some martial art.Guess that didn't work out

[Bavarian]

He was pretty good as a youngster.But thought i read that he was a bit too fond of nichtclubs and then gave speedway up to take up some form of fighting sport.Don't think it was boxing.Maybe some martial art.Guess that didn't work out

One of the most talented German riders as a teenager on a par with Martin Smolinski, who is one year older and also graduated from the junior ranks of MSC Olching.

 

Hertrich never had the same backing that Smoli had. His parents were against him riding speedway, only his grandpa helped him get going. Money was always tight, and at times young Michi showed a difficult character, one that needed a guiding hand.

 

Hertrich had to stop riding about four years ago simply becuase he did not have the money to continue. He never wanted to end his speedway racing, but he had no choice. He then concentrated on his other sporting activities, that's boxing and kick boxing. He signed for a military career in the army, where he could earn some money.

 

Now Sonke Petersen has approached him to help out the Brokstedt team in the Bundesliga. Sonke, who You will know is now sadly paralyzed since his accident at Abensberg in May 2009, is a co-team manager at Brokstedt. He had kept contact with Hertrich since the tiem tehy both rode in the German national under 16 team team that toured the UK.

 

Despite his injuries, Sonke still has kept his speedway bikes race ready, so Hertrich really only had to come along and ride them. This he did now twice for the Brokstedt team. Despite him being out of the sport since 2006, he immediately showed glimpes of his rich potential and scored well for his team.

 

I have asked him since if he intends a full time comeback to the sport, but he would not give me a straight answer. All he said was "let's wait and see"!

[iris123]

One of the most talented German riders as a teenager on a par with Martin Smolinski, who is one year older and also graduated from the junior ranks of MSC Olching.

 

You would have seen more of him than me.It was a great time for German talent.Personally i wouldn't rate him so high.At the time i thought Smolinski and Schultz were on a par,then Hefenbrock was close behind.Then came a group of riders pretty much on a par.....Kroner,Hertrich and Knackowsi and Wölbert was a bit younger but riding alongside all of them when he was only about 14