Victor Joins the Monarchs

NEWS Tuesday 26th June 2018, 2:00pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Staggs Bar Monarchs will make a team change in time for the Knockout Cup ties this weekend against Berwick, bringing in Swedish rider Victor Palovaara and releasing Coty Garcia.

24 year old Victor has formerly ridden in this country for Glasgow and Newcastle, and has been riding in Sweden and Poland this season.

He said "I'm really pleased. I think I have messaged Edinburgh every year when I haven't had a team so it is good that I am finally coming there. I like the track, it is always well prepared and you always know what you are going to get. It's going to be good.

"On my last appearance there I had a maximum until heat 15 but then finished last in that one!"

That was in May 2016, the last season Victor had in the UK. In Sweden this year he has been riding in the top two Swedish leagues for Indianerna (Elite) and Piraterna (Allsvenskan), and in Poland for Krakow.

He added "I've been riding quite well, in Poland it's been really good and I have scored 8, 9 points every meeting apart from the last one. I've done well in the Allsvenskan League and sometimes in the Elite League. That league is really tough.

"I hadn't had any offers from UK in the last two years so I just focussed on having Poland."

The Swede will ride borrowed machinery in the cup ties at the weekend. He explained "I've just packed a box with my machines to be sent over today. It takes a week to get them over. I said I can still come over and ride if I can borrow someone's bikes and Erik Riss phoned me yesterday to say he will sort it out.

"I have raced against Erik a few times and talked with him, and I know Joel Andersson very well also. I've met everyone before and heard it's a good group of guys."

Some years back former Monarchs' hero Robert Eriksson recommended Palovaara to the club and although it didn't happen then, it will now. Victor said "I know Robert because he has a speedway shop in Sweden and he is helping me a lot. I talk to him often."

It's always sad to drop a rider (this is only the second change Monarchs have made since 2012). Coty Garcia has been popular and tried hard, and had some important race results, but overall the team does need strengthening. That is the job Victor Palovaara has been brought in to do.