Richardson calls time on guest commitments

The Team Great Britain international stepped in for Poole Pirates' injured Bjarne Pedersen, when the Dorset side tackled Peterborough on May 10.

But the Grand Prix rider was forced to pull out after just two rides as he was struck down by fatigue.

Richardson lined up for an incredible ninth consecutive night of racing at Wimborne Road that evening.

And that's a mistake the 27-year-old who has since returned to full fitness does not plan to repeat.

He said: "April was manic with the GP starting and I shouldn't have taken the booking really.

"The trouble was there was no one else and I knew Poole co-promoter Matt Ford was under a lot of pressure to find someone.

"I told their manager Neil Middleditch to get someone else if he could.

"But Pirates didn't and I went down there to help them out, which backfired on me.

"So from now on I'm not taking any more guest bookings in the Elite League."

Richardson is not the first top level rider to fall victim to the toils of a gruelling racing schedule.

Former Pirates skipper Ryan Sullivan who was later diagnosed with a blood disorder was unable to complete last season at Wimborne Road.

His energy-sapping illness was made even worse by a hectic diary of racing and international travel.

Although Richardson has few complaints about his lifestyle, the brilliant Brit feels it does not always allow him to produce polished performances.

He said: "I had planned that week so that I would have a day off on Wednesday.

"Over the previous nine days, I travelled on six or seven planes and got up at 4am five days on the trot.

"Although I'm not complaining about this, I wanted to compete at my best level for Poole.

"But my schedule meant I couldn't.

"With GPs every two weeks and racing in Poland the day after, the racing doesn't really stop, which makes planning days off very hard.

"I don't think the calendar does our health any favours and come October, the top guys are near enough finished."