2020 is the year that should have seen the young American launch his European career. Having impressed in the 2019 in the US Speedway of Nations side, the Californian had the attention of clubs across the Old Continent.
He signed with Målilla Dackarna in Sweden and in the UK with two clubs, Wolverhampton Wolves (Premiership) and Somerset Rebels (Championship). Meanwhile in Poland, first he signed with reigning champions Leszno, which would have given him the chance to race in 2 League with Rawicz. But then in November he made a last minute transfer to Częstochowa.
This year started well for Greg Hancock’s protège, with a 2nd place in USA Senior national championship and 1st in the National Pairs’ Championship with Broc Nicol, who recently competed with Hancock’s former club in Sweden, Motala Piraterna.
However, the Coronavirus put a stop to Becker’s 2020 European adventure.
Instead, he has taken part in just a handful of races in the States. Pardubice will therefore be his first European competition of the year and arrives as an unknown quantity.
The 21-year-old has said he wants to follow in his mentor’s footprints and be World Champion. This Friday will be the last chance he can achieve that ambition as a Junior. Will a new American star be born the same year as the country’s greatest speedway rider ever goes into retirement?
