LEICESTER’S senior riders are stepping up preparations for the new season – with opening night at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena now just a month away.
The Watling JCB Lions host Birmingham in the first leg of their KO Cup tie on Saturday March 26, with their official press and practice session the previous day.
But the younger members of the side have already been taking advantage of winter practice opportunities, and four riders – Dan and Joe Thompson, Connor Mountain and Anders Rowe - were in Bicester last weekend for the Great Britain Academy Performance training camp.
Lions No.1 Nick Morris is due back in the UK from Australia on March 10, whilst skipper Kyle Howarth and returning heat-leader Richie Worrall are also making plans for a busy campaign.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “The guys are all here apart from Nick, and it’s no longer a case of counting the months to the season, it’s now a matter of weeks.
“Kyle and Richie have been in contact, and what you find is that the heat-leader guys will be itching to get a shot on the track when we get into March.
“The younger ones like to be on the bike in January and February, but now the more experienced ones are getting in touch and that’s when you know the season is getting even closer.
“I was also pleased to see four of our riders doing the GB training camp, it’s good for them to get involved, and we can take some pride as a club in that.
“I’ve always said since I came in here that we have a short to long-term plan, and we’re seeing it come to fruition.”
Dickson has been at the stadium in recent days preparing the track for a British Youth training event, and was pleased to report no issues arising from the recent stormy weather conditions to either the circuit or spectator facilities.
He said: “Obviously there are certain jobs that will still need doing, and we’ll be looking for some volunteers to help us out on a day over the coming weeks.
“Other than that, I’ve got to sort out the riding order, and I’m also keeping an eye on Birmingham putting their team together as they’re our first opponents in the KO Cup.
“I’m waiting to see what announcements they’ll be making, as I suppose most people are, because there’s not a lot else going on and we’re all just waiting to get started!”
Riders from both teams – the Lions and the Lion Cubs – will be on track for practice from around 5pm on Friday March 25, with all supporters welcome.
