Image Credit: Ron MacNeill

Max Back For His Third Year

NEWS Thursday 15th December 2016, 8:10am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Max Clegg will return to the Monarchs for his third season with the club in 2017.

The 19 year old Yorkshireman has already won leagues at all three levels of British Speedway, following his 2015 title winning season with Monarchs by being part of Wolverhampton’s Elite League success last year.

Of course he is also the reigning British Under-19 Champion and the National League Riders’ Champion. However Max recognises that these are just stepping stones and he has a long way to go.

“I felt I made a lot of progression last year. I’m really glad to be back and I think I can progress more.

“I can definitely move forward and increase my average in both the Premiership and Championship. I think it’s possible, I’ve just got to do better on the away tracks. That has always been my downfall but I’m determined to out that right this year.

“It’s the bigger ones I’ve struggled on but I will put that right. In the Elite Final at Belle Vue last year I struggled all meeting but made a few changes to my bike and managed a good pass in my last ride. If I can carry that on, I’ll be fine on the big tracks. I’m going to practise my gating over the winter, you can never be too good at that.”

Max has ridden with all of the riders announced for the team so far. “I know everyone in the team well because I have ridden with Ricky Wells at Wolverhampton, he’s really good there.”

One thing that will be seen as a timely change is his non-participation in the third tier of British Speedway. He was probably the busiest rider in the UK last season. “I’m not going to do National League now, that’s out the window. Riding with the top boys is going to help me move forward. Winning the NLRC was a good way to finish in that league.”

Max will make some mechanical changes for the 2017 season, though not in his pits personnel. “I’ve got a few plans for improving my machinery but I will have some new bits for next year which will improve things. I will have my full time mechanic Matthew again, with Fraser helping out at Edinburgh.. They are great lads, you can’t do it without your mechanics, they are just as important as the riders in speedway.”

All signings subject to BSPA approval.

Team so far: Ricky Wells, Erik Riss, Mark Riss, Sam Masters, Max Clegg.

Monarchs will compete in 2017 in the new SGB Championship. They are the only five-time winners of the Premier League which ran from 1997-2016.