Tapes Up On 2019

NEWS Saturday 16th March 2019, 7:00pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

It's time for the bikes to roar once more as the traditional curtain raiser the BEN Fund Bonanza takes place at Leicester on Sunday afternoon with tapes up at 2pm to welcome in the 2019 season.

It doesn't need said how important the BEN fund is to all riders in British speedway and with the forecast set fair a big crowd is expected to cheer on a competitive looking field. This year's meeting taking on even more importance after the postponement of last year's event.

The BEN fund shells out thousands upon thousands of pounds each year to support injured riders and the Bonanza is a key fund raising aspect of this so all support is greatly received.

There will be Staggs Bar Monarchs interest in the field this year as Justin Sedgmen makes his return to UK racing in a pivotal year for the 2 time league winner. Events like the BEN fund are a great barometer for what may lie ahead as our Victoria born racer looks to put a tough couple of years behind him.

It certainly won't be easy for Justin though as the field assembled is competitive throughout. Premiership stars such as Nick Morris and our former captain Sam Masters head the event but after that a litany of Championship heat leaders are involved also. Other former Monarchs Rory Schlein and Richie Worrall will be among the favourites and with the likes of Scott Nicholls, Richard Lawson, Danny King and Josh Auty in the line-up it is tough to pick a winner.

Beyond those names everyone else in the field could also surprise a few with names such as Ulrich Ostergaard, Josh Bates, Lewis Kerr, Ryan Douglas, Charles Wright, Paul Starke and the talisman of the event Ben Barker all taking to the Leicester track..

While some may view this as an early season individual of little consequence this gives the names mentioned a chance to lay a marker for what is ahead in 2019.

Our man Justin will be out to impress as he looks to start his season with a bang and a good finish may well be the confidence boost needed to launch a big year to show what he and the Monarchs believe he is capable off.