Speedway returns to Scotland!

NEWS Thursday 6th April 2023, 11:00am

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

This is the week that Scottish Speedway fans have been waiting for since last October as the sport returns with a home and away Scottish derby in the BSN Series which starts the season for all Championship clubs. The first leg is at Armadale (Friday, 7:30pm).

Five of last year's Monarchs are back with the side, the changes being Craig Cook and Kyle Bickley coming in, with Sam Masters moving to Oxford and James Sarjeant retiring. Glasgow's team shows more changes from last season with just two of their 2022 team riding for them this season.

The match is in the Northern section of the BSN series, the other team in the section being Berwick. As always Glasgow have a strong side with several riders sure to raise their starting averages over the season.

New Monarchs' captain Josh Pickering (a Monarch since 2017) is very upbeat about his team's chances this season. He says "I think we have the right people in the right positions, Cookie and I at the top end, Kye in the middle with Paco makes us strong there, Lasse is a good second string and I have already said I expect big seasons from Jacob and Kyle. I feel like both of them could be pushing for the main body and could hold their own at number two if they come up.

"There are other teams that look strong in some areas but weaker in others, but I think all our guys are in the right position and I have a confident feeling about this team."

Monarchs travel to Ashfield on Sunday (5pm) for the return match. Under this year's scoring system there are two points for a win, plus an aggregate bonus. If either match finishes in a draw, or if the aggregate score is tied, we move on to a Super Heat to split the tie.

Friday's match will be Live Streamed for those who cannot attend, details on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.

FRIDAY'S MATCH:

Friday 7th April: Edinburgh Monarchs v Glasgow Tigers (BSN Series), Armadale, 7:30pm

STELLAR MONARCHS: Josh Pickering (captain), Lasse Fredriksen, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna, Craig Cook, Kyle Bickley, Jacob Hook.

ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Chris Harris, Marcin Nowak, Benjamin Basso, Claus Vissing, Tom Brennan (captain), Lee Complin, Ace Pijper.

Following Friday's BSN series match, we will be staging the first Northern Junior League match of the season, the West Lothian Wildcats v Ashfield Giants.

Full Result Details