KING’S Lynn racer Erik Riss and girlfriend Maddie have been forced to stay apart.

German ace Riss, a former World Long Track champion, is back in his home country and Maddie has had to go home to Australia during the current crisis.

Both were based in Middlesbrough until recently but the heart wrenching decision had to be made to separate physically – but they remain a couple.

Lynn co-promoter Dale Allitt said: “Maddie has returned home to Australia which again is very sad.

“I think Australia are potentially doing more restrictions so because of that they had to make the heart-wrenching decision for Maddie to go back to Australia.

“She’ll have to go into quarantine before she can go home properly but there is a potential they won’t accept flights into the country for the rest of the year which means Erik is going back to Germany.

“Just to reiterate that as I know social media can be a little bit misleading, if we were to start that doesn’t mean that Erik can’t come back. It is difficult for those two but there are so many heartbreaking stories at the moment.”

Allitt and boss Peter Schroeck have been keeping in regular contact with the Minors and Brady Stars team during lockdown.

“They are all keeping themselves fit and knowing someone like Lewi Kerr he is probably fitter now than he has ever been in his life because that is what he does,” he said.

“Michael (Härtel) is keeping fit in Germany as is Robert (Lambert) in Poland.

“Thomas Jorgensen is probably running half marathons knowing him and Craig Cook up in the mountains of Cumbria is doing what he always does which is mountain biking.

“I think people are of the opinion of let’s stay fit mentally and physically. Then whenever we get the green light the riders are going to have to be ready so this situation is hard for them.”

King’s Lynn’s 2020 programme, which is proving popular with fans looking for reading material with so much time at home, has a fourth issue out on Monday.

It includes an insightful column from club owner Keith Chapman, an in-depth interview with Robert Lambert looking back on his time as club skipper, Alitt has penned a column plus more columns from the Supporters Club and a host of top writers.

Issue 4 is available to order now from curtis-sport.com and the previous three issues remain available to complete the set. The option to pay by cheque payable to Curtis Sport Ltd is also available with details on the website.

“It’s a big hit,” said Allitt. “And the best bit is you order it and it’s delivered to your door so you don’t even need to leave the house!