New boy Jonatan ready to go

NEWS Thursday 13th March 2025, 5:30pm

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

As the nights grow lighter, and the temperatures start ticking up (well maybe not this far north), thoughts invariably turn to the speedway season ahead and for Stellar Monarchs fans an intriguing 2025 awaits.

While consistency and building long standing relationships with the riders in the Blue and Gold has always been a pillar of the club, there is also always a hint of excitement at the unknown and a newcomer to the UK joining the ranks.

That excitement for the year ahead is matched by a debutant for the Monarchs and UK newcomer 24-year-old Swede Jonatan Grahn who says he can't wait to get started, "I am looking forward to my first season in the UK a lot, I am ready for it now.

"I decided to come to the UK as I want to race as many meetings as possible and develop - and the more I race, the more it suits me."

When asked if that excitement for coming to the UK is matched by riding for Edinburgh Grahn is quick to confirm, "I know I have joined a good club, I know Victor Palovaara, Joel Andersson, and Robert Eriksson very well and they only talk good things about Edinburgh.

"I think I am a racer, I prefer the outside but people in Sweden say I am a technical rider who can race big and small tracks just as well so Edinburgh should suit me.

"Victor I think will be a big help. I have talked to him a lot already, we are good friends and we have helped each other before so it feels good knowing he will be there in the pits. We can talk about set ups or racing lines or things like that he has the experience of in the UK so that will be a big help."

That urge to race more already mentioned as at the front of Jonatan's decision to take his first steps into British Speedway with the Hallsberg born racer sure to add a few stamps in his passport with the schedule that lies ahead, "I have signed many contracts for 2025 actually.

"I have signed for both leagues in Sweden and Edinburgh and these will be my main focus, but I also have contracts in Germany, but they don't race many meetings and also in Denmark and Poland, but I don't think I will get used too much there so as I said my main focus is on Sweden and Edinburgh.

"I want to be busy though so it is good. I want to be a better rider and to do that you have to race many meetings. My aim for this year is to do more with the Swedish national team, be a good scorer in the leagues in Sweden and the UK, and I am also hoping for a good meeting in the Swedish final, I was sixth last year and I want to do better than that."

With so many clubs in place it is no surprise that Jonatan's pre-season preparations are well underway as bike time is always key to early season sharpness, "I am in Slovenia just now then I go to Poland for four days testing two with Pila and two with the Swedish team.

"Then it is home to do the final things on the bikes and pack up everything I need for the UK to head over for the press and practice day.

"I feel like I am ready for the season starting."

There is not long to wait now with Press and Practice around two weeks away and the opening fixture against Glasgow a week later. The Scottish Cup matches are something Grahn thinks are the perfect start, "It's going to be cool to start with matches against Glasgow,

"It is good for the fans and the riders to start with meetings like that and for me being new to the league seeing the tracks before the main league starts is good as well.

"I am not just here to learn though I am here to score points and to win."

There will be the chance for the fans to meet Jonatan at the Stellar Monarchs Season Launch Show before that first meeting against Glasgow, tickets for both available here:

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There is still time to apply for your 2025 Gold Membership to get access to all standard Monarchs fixtures this season!

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