# 7:
Connor Coles

Stellar Monarchs and Stellar Monarchs Academy are delighted to announce the next name on their respective team sheets with Connor Coles who will be pulling double duty in 2024.

Coles who was enjoying probably his finest year in the sport last year until an arm injury ended his season prematurely is looking to kick on once again next year and feels that having the consistency of riding for both the Championship and National Development League septets will help him push on once again having done the same last year for both of Berwick's sides.

Coles said, "I think it is one of the reasons why last year was so good, getting the consistency of riding the same track week in week out and in an environment that was good and happy made it easier, obviously going out and winning heats helps that also.

"When I started to realise that Berwick wouldn't have me back, I started looking at where I wanted to go and Edinburgh was definitely at the top of the list.

"Armadale is a track I tend to go well on, probably actually I would say Armadale and Berwick are my two favourite tracks and there aren't two more different tracks in the country. For whatever reason they are ones I go well on so I am looking forward to having Armadale as my home track in both leagues and I feel I can win races there in both leagues as well.

"Getting the home track knowledge will really help as Armadale is a track that can change as the night goes on and last time I was there I made some changes during the meeting that really helped. So there is always something you can do to get that little bit extra and having it as my home track in both leagues I can learn those little tricks to get that little bit more.

"Last year when I got the nine plus two I still didn't feel I was as fast as I could be as there were heats where Jye Etheridge and Rory Schein had to team ride me round so if I can get that little bit extra speed and I know I can trap then it will make it very difficult for guys to pass me."

As mentioned, Coles season came to a premature end last year after a nasty spill but this is not something that concerns the 29 year-old Exeter born racer.

"The injury is almost back to normal; I almost have full movement back in the arm I just can't quite straighten it all the way above my head but that is coming along, and it is not going to hinder me on the bike at all.

"Yeah, there are still some aches and pains but that is the life of a speedway rider. I have been hitting the gym recently so I am getting stronger all the time and I will be raring to go come the start of the season."

Looking ahead to next year when asked if Coles was the type to set a target or an average to aim for, he was pretty straight forward in saying no but that he knows what he is capable of.

"I tend not to set targets of an average or anything like that as you never get a true average really. If you look at my rolling average it is 2.42 but if you look at my average last year with bonus points it was over four and half, so double. I will just go out and do what I do, score what I can and hopefully have an injury free run and a good season.

"I think I am a bargain signing in both leagues. I had some bike trouble last year, so my National League average dropped as well but I think I am capable of going out and winning heats 1, 13 and 15 in the National League and heat two in the Championship as a minimum."

If there was one silver lining to the injury it has given Coles plenty of time to prepare for 2024 and he says he is as ready for a season as he has ever been with all equipment already in place.

"Within the first week of being injured I had everything stripped and washed ready to go and I have bought another motor from Ryan Douglas, so I have spent a bit of money and have good kit.

"I thought I would get a few more offers if I am honest and I had maybe a couple of calls from National League teams but I was delighted when Edinburgh phoned and offered both leagues so I was more than happy to sign on and I am really looking forward to a big year in 2024."