Successful Press Day

NEWS Thursday 22nd March 2018, 9:36am

by Toby Lerone

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Although we gave the least notice ever of our press day we attracted one of our biggest ever attendances from the media, including BBC TV cameras, as our 2018 season was successfully launched at Armadale on Wednesday afternoon.

Of course the weather had been awful for many weeks before Press Day and there were great doubts, even on Wednesday morning, that the track could be made ready for action but after great efforts by track staff on Wednesday morning everything was made ready for the riders to get some laps in. In fact all were happy long before the practice was due to end and we finished early!

UK newcomers, Joel Andersson and Max Ruml, looked good from the start and team newcomer, Matt Williamson, was certainly up to speed by the end of the session. Returnees Erik and Mark Riss, Josh Pickering and Ricky Wells all attacked the track as if they had never been away.

New team captain, Erik Riss, resplendent in new white kevlars, said, "I was happy with everything today. I needed a few laps just to be sure everything was right. I'm ready for Glasgow on Friday now."

Co-promoter John Campbell was full of praise about everything that happened. He said, "Obviously I knew that it would take a big effort to get the practice on but the track staff made it look easy and the surface didn't cause anyone any problems.

The newcomers looked really good. Sometimes even the best of riders come to Armadale and struggle with the shape initially but both Joel and Max looked like speedway riders from the outset.

Glasgow won't be easy on Friday, especially on their new circuit, but I think we are ready for it."

Tickets for Friday's meeting at Glasgow remain on sale through our website.

On Saturday there will be another work party at Armadale with much painting to be done and we'd welcome anyone who has an hour or two to spare to come along from 10.00am.