CONSIDERING Darryl Ritchings was in an induced coma for two weeks just 14 months ago, the recovery of the 20-year-old has surprised even him.

The young reserve was sedated in hospital after a horrific crash in his home debut for the Swindon Robins against Coventry on April 3 last year.

Ritchings shocked many with the speed of his recovery, having missed the air bag, and was back on a bike last October at the Isle of Wight and had his sights set on becoming a number one racer in the National League.

At the time it seemed ambitious but, after signing with Coventry Storm in November, the Purton-born rider is continuing to impress.

“It has been an awesome season so far,” said Ritchings.

“After my injuries I didn’t think that I would come back how I have.

“I have started off really well and I am feeling good on the bike now.

“It was very hard to come back to be honest, but I feel better than I was previous to my accident.

“I remember my first race back and I was a bit wary and I was very nervous.

“After my first National League meeting I felt good and since then it has been going really well.

“It is an awesome team to be involved with.”

Ritchings has ridden in eight meetings for Coventry picking up 74 points along the way, the second highest in the team behind Dan Greenwood, with 13 first-place finishes.

The Robins asset is now hoping that his form will earn him a call up to guest for Premier League outfits and he admits his ultimate aim is to be back riding for his home club.

“If I just keep progressing from that then I am just waiting for the phone to ring to get a few Premier guest bookings now,” he added.

“I think I have put four points on my average already, so the aim is just to score as many points as I can and hopefully people will pay attention and then I will go from there.

“I just need to score in as many meetings as I can and work hard.

“Of course I want to be back racing for Swindon, it is where I have been brought up. All I have known is Swindon Speedway and that is who I want to ride for again.”