Castagna Back As Monarchs Head To Redcar

PREVIEW Friday 11th August 2023, 12:57pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Stellar Monarchs are back on the road on Friday as they head for Teesside to take on the Redcar Bears in Championship action.

The home men look well served for a playoff position currently 7 points clear of the Monarchs albeit only 1 place above in 5th.

The Bears have made their home shale somewhat of a fortress this season with only Poole taking anything away from the North East so far and with their regular 1-7 in place (well allowing for Luke Harrison being a permanent guest for Jake Mulford) they will be hoping to extend that advantage.

The bulk of their scoring will be expected to come from heat leader trio of Charles Wright, Danny King and Erik Riss.

Wright in particular having probably his best year since he was crowned British Champion in 2019 while King looks to be hitting form at the right time and former Monarchs Riss enjoying his best spell since returning from a mystery illness.

Elsewhere British u21 champ Connor Bailey and Danyon Hume provide the second-string back-up with Jason Edwards the senior reserve.

The major news for the Stellar Monarchs is the return to action of Paco Castagna. The Italian coming through a couple of practice sessions unscathed and raring to go.

Any hope that the return of Paco would see a full 1-7 in place were sadly denied with the news that Kye Thomson misses out through illness rider replacement in operation allows all bar Craig Cook an extra ride, but all our thoughts are with Kye for a speedy recovery.

A lot of eyes will be on Bastian Borke as he makes his first visit the Redcar and if his efforts at Glasgow, Scunthorpe and Berwick are anything to go by the fans are in for a treat on one of the most exciting racetracks in the country.

This being the second meeting of the season between the pair the aggregate bonus point is up for grabs also with the Bears currently holding a 4-point lead having won at Armadale back in May.

Tapes up are at 7.30pm with a live stream available at https://www.redcar-speedway.tv/ updates will also be found on the Monarchs official website.

Redcar Bears: Chares Wright, Danyon Hume, Connor Bailey, Erik Riss, Danny King, Jason Edwards, Luke Harrison

Stellar Monarchs: Craig Cook, Bastian Borke, Kye Thomson R/R, Paco Castagna, Josh Pickering, Dayle Wood, Max Clegg

Full Result Details