Speedway: Glasgow Tigers ace Grieves happy to team up with old foe Pijper

Jan 6 2011

JAMES GRIEVES reckons Glasgow Tigers have pulled a masterstroke with the signing of Dutchman Theo Pijper - but the Ashfield legend might not have been so keen on the new boy a few years back.

Grieves this week recalled a furious exchange with the former Edinburgh Monarch which led the normally mild-mannered Tiger to chase the Dutchman across the centre green at Armadale.

Veteran Grieves was outpaced on that occasion - and he claims it was just as well as the red mist had got the better of him after a dangerous collision.

Time is a good healer though and the Elderslie-based rider is happy to forgive and forget as he reckons Pijper, a 30-year-old from Dokkum, will be a key part of Stewart Dickson's 2011 team.

Recalling his closest brush with the Dutchman, Grieves said: "Theo and I were involved in a thrilling high-speed race and I was just about to execute a pass when he 'turned left' on me. It was a really dangerous move and one that could have left me badly injured.

"Thankfully, the only thing that was bruised was my bike but, as soon as I sprung to my feet, I ran towards him. He jumped off his bike and legged it over the centre green with me in hot pursuit.

"It's maybe just as well that he is a much faster runner than me. If I had caught him, there would've been hell to pay."

Grieves regained his cool and managed to sort out his differences with his opponent in the pits later in the meeting and, he admits, there are no hard feelings now.

Pijper is hoping to put two years of injury hell behind him and rediscover the form which led to Premier League Swindon Robins signing him three years ago.

Grieves said: "I reckon he will be a good rider for us if he can turn back the clock a year or two. Riders who have been out for a while with injury are always a gamble but Theo was a quality performer."