3 Is The Magic Number

NEWS Wednesday 13th March 2019, 7:00pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Next up in our series finding out what the 2019 Staggs Bar Monarchs have been doing over the winter months is one of 3 Aussies in the line-up this year Josh Pickering.

The major benefit of course for our Antipodean members is the ability to get away from a British winter and enjoy the sunnier climate and Josh has taken full advantage of that this winter saying "I've been really busy overall with work and some riding but being home means I can really get out and about and enjoy a bit of the heat. I love playing Golf and Cricket and I've done a fair amount of that. I don't have time to do that at all during the season really so it was nice to be able to get back into it.

"I've also been keeping myself busy on the fitness front going to the gym and also getting out mountain biking a lot, physically I feel as ready as I ever have and that will help me take the next step I want to. I have signed up for a team spot in Poland this year and I am looking to impress over there as well so I need to be more organised than ever but I feel I am at my best the more I ride so I am hopeful of getting the chance to show what I can do.

"With that in mind I've also been working full time to build up the funds needed to get myself properly set up for this year and I am happy with how things are looking, I am all set and ready to go to get back to Scotland and there are just a couple of things to finalise in Poland. I can't wait to get back over and get back on the bike it certainly beats working full time that's for sure."

Pickering does admit though that things did not go all his own way back home during the Aussie season "I was happy enough with my performances in most meetings but I was gutted not to qualify for the Australian Championships. I had a little set back in my first race in the qualifier and I couldn't make it back up to miss out on count back was annoying but that's the way things go sometimes and it's just made me all the more determined to show what I am capable off this year. I will be giving it my all for the Monarchs and hopefully I can make people take notice. I want to pick up where I left off at the end of last season and continue to improve. It's my 3rd season now and I feel ready to become someone the team can count on when it comes to winning races, also I've yet to win any silverware with the Monarchs and that is something I would love to put right this year."

Of course another major bit of news to come from Josh over the winter was his engagement to long term girlfriend Brooke with all at the Monarchs delighted with the news as we look forward to welcoming both back to Armadale this season.