KALLE THE KID BACK FOR 2011

NEWS Wednesday 29th December 2010, 11:43am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

19 year old Finnish starlet Kalle Katajisto will be returning to race for the Scotwaste Monarchs in the summer of 2011.

Unlike the recent signing of Craig Cook, this will not come as a great surprise to the Monarchs' fans, but nevertheless they will be delighted by the prospect of watching the exciting youngster for another season.

The phrase ?Don't you just love it when a plan comes together*? has been used to describe the way Kalle was brought into the Monarchs' setup. He arrived in 2007 with just a few weeks experience on 500cc machines, on the recommendation of his experienced fellow countryman Kaj Laukkanen who also came to Monarchs at that time.

Kalle struggled but showed flashes of talent and persevered, completing 12 matches and gaining a 3-point average. Returning on that figure with more experience late in the 2009 season, he was obviously a very valuable team man.

Even so, it would be fair to say he exceeded expectations in 2010 as he clocked up huge scores from reserve, and kept his form going after moving into the top five. He formed a great partnership with Kevin Wolbert towards the end of the season.

He scored 430 points over the season and raised his average from 3 to 7.03, a major factor in Monarchs' third league title triumph of the decade. That was the plan coming together!

Six of the 2011 team have now been announced.

2011 Scotwaste Monarchs' team so far: Kevin Wolbert (Germany) 7.96, Matthew Wethers (captain, Australia) 7.04, Andrew Tully (Scotland) 6.68, Ashley Morris (England) 3.00, Craig Cook (England) 6.47, Kalle Katajisto 7.03. Points remaining 4.32.

*(With acknowledgement to the A-Team!)