Monarchs Look To Hang On To Comets Tail

PREVIEW Saturday 18th May 2024, 11:12am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Stellar Monarchs make their first visit to Workington since 2018 on Saturday looking to bounce back after a disappointing home defeat to Plymouth.

What would already have been a daunting task given the Comets early season home form now looks even harder after talisman Josh Pickering crashed out in that defeat and misses out again in this one.

Despite best efforts and numerous riders asked no one was available or willing to take on a guest booking at short notice so rider replacement is in operation meaning extra rides available for the rest.

Elsewhere Lasse Fredriksen is also absent as he recovers from a bug that meant his doctor advised not to travel Sam Hagon again steps in.

The rest of the line-up is as expected and despite this being the first visit at this level since the Comets title winning season there is experience of the Northside circuit in the visiting ranks with Justin Sedgmen, Connor Coles and Max James all having raced their via guest bookings or National League fixtures.

For the home men it has been a non stop introduction back to this level and for many they are the team to watch.

This being not just because of their points scoring prowess but due to the nature of the squad assembled.

Tate Zischke, Antti Vuolas and Celina Liebmann are all newcomers to British speedway and all come with international pedigree.

Zischke akd Vuolas have taken to the UK like a duck to water especially at their home track both currently averaging well over two points above their starting four point average.

Liebmann has maybe taken a little longer to get to grips with British league racing but is developing and improving in every match and a big score doesn't look far away.

With this trio backing up a strong top three led by the revitalized Craig Cook and Troy Batchelor so far it looks like every gamble has paid off for Steve Lawson and all involved and it would be hard to argue this isn't deserved after the work put in to bring speedway back to Cumbria in the last few years.

It is the Monarchs job to dampen that enthusiasm in this one though with tapes due to rise at 3pm, live updates available on the Monarchs website throughout.

Full Result Details