MARK Loram insisted tragic Lee Richardson was the catalyst behind his most enjoyable year in speedway.

Former Pirate Richardson died in Poland on Sunday following a horrendous track spill while riding for Rzeszow against Wroclaw.

The 33-year-old was thrown from his bike, before hitting a solid fence head first.

He suffered internal bleeding and was pronounced dead in hospital later that night.

He leaves wife Emma and three sons.

Richardson lined up alongside Loram at Wimborne Road in 1999 after signing from Reading.

The duo helped the Dorset side to second place in the league that year, as well as finishing runners-up in the Knockout Cup.

‘Loramski’ told the Echo: “Me and Lee had a real rivalry on the track. We were both up-and-coming riders at that time and had a few real dust-ups.

“Off the track, Lee was a real gentleman and he was fantastic with the fans.

“On it, he was a really good, hard rider and we both wanted to be the top dog. It was a clash of horns at that time and neither of us wanted to give an inch.

“It was a ‘nearly’ year for Poole in 1999. Having said that, I think that was my most enjoyable year in speedway.

“I absolutely loved racing in that particular team. It was a fantastic side and Lee was superb that year. We only used seven riders in 1999 and I bet teams now wish it was like that every year.”

Loram went on to win the world title in 2000 while in the Pirates stable and Richardson starred in the Grand Prix series between 2003 and 2006 after winning the world under-21 title while a Pirate in 1999.

Loram was forced to retire in 2009 after failing to fully recover from an accident when racing for Ipswich in 2007, while the star’s 18-year-old son Rhys was killed in a road accident in Suffolk late last year.

The 41-year-old added: “Lee’s death is a complete tragedy for any family to go through and my thoughts are with them. I know, to a certain extent, what they will be going through and it’s not right for anyone to have to live through it.

“I lost my boy just before Christmas and it is a rough road. Nobody should have to go through the loss of anyone at a young age and I just feel desperately sorry for Lee’s family.”