Josh Does It!

NEWS Sunday 15th September 2024, 6:20pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Josh Pickering added his name to a list that includes fellow club legends Peter Carr, Craig Cook and Sam Masters as he took CLRC glory in the only way he knows how sweeping round the field not once but twice in the final to take the trophy!

Pickering unable to get the smile of his face saying after, 'It is what I came here for today, it's something I've been targeting all season.

'To get it over the line is something special the field was top notch and I had to be sharp to come off the outside there in the final.

'I made a mistake on turn two and that put me in no man's land for a bit then I managed to build up a bit of speed and it turned out well.

'The semi probably helped me as I got a bit more heat in the tyre than some of the other boys.

'I'm really really happy to get it done, it's all I've been thinking about yesterday and coming here it was all I was picturing so it's worked out well.'

As mentioned Pickering certainly did not have it all his own way having to come through the semi and then with the outside gate in the final.

The Monarchs man made a great start and looked set to round the field and hit the front before catching grip on the second bend that meant he had to shut off and fell to the back.

He was quickly into third on the fourth bend and then set after Richard Lawson and Ben Cook hitting the front as they entered the third lap.

By the last lap Pickering was punching the air as a strong and loud band of Monarchs fans cheered him home.

Poole duo Cook and Lawson filling out the podium with Workington's Antti Vuolas perhaps the surprise packet finalist.

Elsewhere the day did not end as hoped for former Monarch Sam Masters who looked set to head straight to the final while leading his final race only for his bike to fail underneath him.

Masters came down heavily thankfully the three riders behind him all able to avoid the stricken Oxford man but that was the end of his day as he was forced to withdraw.

That left the stage set for Pickering and his exploits in the final and there can't have been a more popular rider in recent Monarchs history as he now signs off an eight year association with the club at seasons end.