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NEWS Wednesday 24th December 2025, 1:00pm
Edinburgh Monarchs
Your 2026 Edinburgh Monarchs team is now complete with a huge welcome back to fan favourite captain Paco Castagna!
Your 2026 Edinburgh Monarchs team is now complete with a huge welcome back to fan favourite captain Paco Castagna!
Castagna returns for his fifth year with the club desperate for success after missing out on the semi final second leg last season through injury, a now fit Castagna saying, "We have many things to achieve. I think the team is strong and I think we played it perfectly with team building and the new rules.
"We have Dan at number one to start the season and everyone can see what he can do both at Armadale and away and he will be a great addition and I really feel we can go better than we did last year.
"Jordy has done most of a season now as well and that can only help him and in having Justin, Kye and I back we all know what is needed, we will bring Mitchell into the team as well and he gives us a good balance.
"Unfortunately we had to let Victor go but that is the rules and as I said I think we are very strong.
"Looking around the league I think everyone is strong though so it will be a great season for the fans as all teams look good, I think the playoffs are the absolute minimum we can achieve but I think with this team we can go further than last season and I am super hungry for glory."
On a personal front a deal in Landshut has already been announced and with both the SEC and SGP challenges taking place in Italy a big year awaits for the soon to be 32 year-old as he looks for personal as well as team success, "The main part of the speedway season is the bit that most people don't see, the booking flights and getting your bikes and all that in order and I feel I have never been in a better position for that.
"The team and people I have around me are the best they have ever been and that means I can focus more on riding and enjoying riding and when you are relaxed and happy that is when the best comes out of you.
"Poland can be ruthless and I don't know what will happen yet with wildcards or qualifying for the SEC and SGP challenges and things like that but I am putting myself in the best position I can.
"Fitness wise it's all good, I would say my shoulder is back to as good as it can be and I am happy with it, I will need to keep working on it constantly but that is part of speedway. I have been back on the bike testing and it doesn't affect my riding at all.
"I still think there is more to come from me. I increased my average last season and felt I was more consistent but I can still score more, I feel like I can become a main heat leader if you know what I mean - a number one or five, someone that is in the big heats.
"I started getting ready for next year in November and I have a few meetings lined up to be announced that means I will be even more ready to go come season start, last season I think my first meeting for about six months was the Scottish Cup against Glasgow - this year that won't be the case."
Another sense of pride for Castagna came from having the captain's armband and the team spirit he was able to put in place. With five of last year's seven back in place he sees no reason for this not to continue in the new year, "It is one of the reasons I wanted to be back at Edinburgh is the relationships I have built up, don't get me wrong it can be a tough place to come compared to others with travel and driving to airports down south and things like that.
"The people and the club are great though and coming round on a victory parade at Armadale and seeing the fans cheering and the young fans with their flags and posters there is nothing like it. I try to instil that same passion in the rest of the team and I have a few things planned for this year as well."
That just leaves the ask for any final message Paco has ahead of 2026 and he is quick to respond, "I am very happy to be back and the biggest reason for that is the fans!
"They all have Edinburgh in their hearts and I do as well, it gave me great pride as captain to be the face of the club if you will when it came to interviews on BSN and things like that. Now I want to be the face of the club by being the one to lift trophies and bring glory back to the club and I think we can do that next year!"
Complete 2026 Monarchs: Dan Thompson, Jordy Loftus, Justin Sedgmen, Jonatan Grahn, Mitch Cluff, Kye Thomson, Paco Castagna.
Sponsor Paco's 2026 race suit
You can be the main sponsor of Paco's 2026 Monarchs race suit for just £199 including the following perks:
This package is strictly limited to one per rider. Get in touch here to sponsor Paco's suit now.
Suits currently available to sponsor: Mitch Cluff, Paco Castagna. Contact the club to sponsor a suit.
© Edinburgh Monarchs Speedway 2025
Bathgate Road
Armadale
EH48 2PD
