Sedgmen makes three for 2026

NEWS Thursday 4th December 2025, 4:45pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Monarchs team building for 2026 carries on at pace with the club delighted to announce the return of Justin Sedgmen to the fold for next season.

'Sedgy' who returns for what will be a sixth season across three spells with the club feels that 2026 could be a big year for the Blue and Gold after our league dreams ended at the semi final stage last time out.

The Mildura man saying, "I think the way the team was structured in 2025 was a step in the right direction and from what I have been told of the team for next year I think we can do even better.

"Last season we probably only had two meetings where we all clicked together and we were still unlucky to get knocked out in the semi in the last heat at Glasgow.

"That will spur us on even more and I think with the additions to the team we have the right balance to challenge. In saying that we can't put too much pressure on Dan (Thompson) at number one as it will be his first time there and it is different but he has all the ability to cope and the rest of the boys will be there to back him up. I think we have a really solid team"

Adding to Sedgmen's belief that 2026 can be a banner year is the refreshed feeling the double league winner has after finishing this year healthy compared to the winter prior that was focussed fully on rehab following some heavy knocks to end 2024, "Looking back to the beginning of last season, if I am honest I probably shouldn't have started the year.

"It was very difficult, I had those big crashes in '24 then when I tried to ride in Australia I could tell it wasn't right and that set me back. I also was coming back at number one for the Monarchs and while if you look at my average it didn't go down by much from the year before it all had an effect.

"I am normally the kind of guy that wants to race every day of the week but it got to the stage where I was actually looking for when there were gaps and I could rest. It was probably after I got dropped by Sheffield that I was able to get right.

"It was also about that point of the season where we realised the Monarchs had a right good chance of the playoffs and that spurred me on as well and I think I had my best spell. I was so focussed on getting us to the final but it wasn't meant to be and that still drives me on for next year.

"I had a month or two off after the season and that was great, I am really looking forward to getting on the bike and I have signed up for every meeting in Aussie that I can over the British winter.

"I've done a couple already and I am feeling good so I think it will be a good Aussie season and that will carry into next year for the Monarchs."

A fit and firing Sedgmen is more than capable of increasing on his 7.34 starting figure as the Monarchs go in search of glory in 2026.

2026 Monarchs team so far: Dan Thompson, Jordy Loftus, Justin Sedgmen.

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