Southampton-based Maddie Saunders is preparing to compete at the 2026 British Individual Cycle Speedway Championships this weekend and will travel to and from the race in style and comfort, with her bike at her side, thanks to a support vehicle provided by her employer, the family-run Hendy Group.

Maddie, who rides for Southampton Cycle Speedway, will compete in the Women’s competition at Wednesfield Cycle Speedway Track in Wolverhampton on Sunday 30 August, taking on some of the country’s leading riders in a bid to secure her place in the final.

Hendy Van Centre Dorset is supporting Maddie’s British Championships campaign by providing a spacious Kia PBV for the event, helping transport her, her support crew, the precious cycle speedway bike, equipment and luggage to and from the competition.

The new sponsorship builds on an impressive 12 months for Maddie both on and off the track. At the 2025 Cycle Speedway World Championships she secured silver in the World Individual Women’s race, as well as becoming World Women’s Federation Cup Champion, World Women’s Nations Cup Champion and World Women’s Best Pairs Champion.

Away from the track, Maddie has continued to build a successful career at Hendy. Having first joined the Group as an apprentice in 2023, she was named Hendy’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ in 2025 and nominated for ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the Women in Automotive Awards. In July this year, she was promoted from Marketing Specialist to Group Marketing Executive.

Despite heading into the British Championships with an injury, Maddie is hoping to build on her international success from last year.

“After such a successful World Championships last year, the British Championships are another opportunity to test myself against some of the best riders. Hendy has been a great support to me, and it means a lot to have that backing again this year.”

Paul Hendy, Chief Executive at Hendy Group said:

“Maddie is an incredible example of resilience and determination; even with an injury, she is giving her all to the sport she loves. Her dedication to training mirrors the drive she brings to her role at Hendy, and it’s fantastic to see what she continues to achieve both on and off the track. We’re pleased to be able to offer her support in any way we can and will all be cheering her on this weekend.”

To find out more about career opportunities at Hendy, visit here.