Fredriksen Raring To Go

NEWS Monday 25th March 2024, 12:30pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Stellar Monarchs 2024 season kicks into life this Friday with the traditional press and practice day followed by the always enjoyable Season Launch Show and one man who can't wait to get the ball rolling is our Norwegian racer Lasse Fredriksen.

Fredriksen is ready to go after a winter that saw him not needing to rehab an injury for the first time in a few years the 26 year old saying, "It has actually been a good winter for that. While I probably came back early at the end of last year, the fact that the injury was pretty much healed by the end of the season meant I have been able to just concentrate on getting everything ready and my overall fitness as good as it can be.

"Last winter I was in a cast for the whole winter, so this year has been a lot better, and I am 100% ready.

"It has been good to get started pretty early, I think the last couple of years it may have been the press and practice session that was the first time I would have been on the bike, but this year will be different.

"I have already had two days out practicing in Germany and David McAllan my mechanic came out to that as well, so it was good to work on things with him. I then have the practice session at Armadale this Friday, and I am riding on Saturday in Pardubice and then in Germany on Sunday as well so I will be sharp come the first Monarchs match."

As the days grow longer and the temperature starts ticking up, all thoughts for speedway fans turn to when they can hear the bikes roar once again and as a steady stream of results and highlights start coming in the riders are no different when it comes to feeling those pinches of excitement for what is to come, "Even as a rider this time of year is exciting, you see results coming in or stuff on social media of guys out practicing and it gives you something fresh to look at and it does make me want to get started.

"I have worked over the winter doing forklift driving and I can tell you I much prefer the summer months when I am riding my bike.

"The boys have a group chat but in honesty it all really starts when we get together for the first time then the chat all starts flowing, I am looking forward to getting to know the new guys as well and again I think we will have a good bunch and it will be a fun year."

Starting the season with a bang is a visit from Glasgow on the 5th of April and Fredriksen knows how key a positive result is to set out his side's stall early doors, "The stakes are high that is for sure, and we will all be up for those first meetings.

"We need to start well this year and going out and beating our nearest rivals who are of course champions as well is what we want to do to get us started right."

Prior to that though as mentioned is this Friday's proceedings which will see Lasse in attendance at the press and practice session but not the Season Launch Show as he jets off to Berlin before a four hour drive to Czechia, Fredriksen with this message for the fans heading along on Friday night,

"I just want to say how much I am looking forward to getting back over, I hope everyone enjoys the Launch Show on Friday night. I have really enjoyed those the last few years so I am sad I can't make it, but I am sure it will be a good night and for those I don't get to see this week I will see you a week later when we finally get to go racing!"

Tickets for both the Season Launch Show and Stellar Monarchs opening match against Glasgow can be purchased here:

Book Tickets