LEICESTER’S new-look side will launch their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership programme on Thursday (March 21, 7.30) when they host King’s Lynn.
The Watling JCB Lions team members did manage their first laps of the season around the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park last week at Press and Practice before their original planned opener against Belle Vue as called off.
A very healthy team atmosphere was clear for all to see despite only retaining three riders from the side which ended the 2023 campaign.
Aussie ace Max Fricke is back as captain whilst experienced Brit Richard Lawson returns alongside reserve Drew Kemp.
Teenager Joe Thompson is back in Leicester colours as the Rising Star whilst Sam Masters, Ryan Douglas and Luke Becker have all made the switch across the Midlands following the sad closure of Wolverhampton.
The Watling JCB Lions face a King’s Lynn side who have made wholesale changes following a disappointing year last time out.
They are led by Polish hotshot Tobiasz Musielak, who arrived from champions Sheffield over the winter, whilst Niels-Kristian Iversen, Vadim Tarasenko, Benjamin Basso and Patryk Wojdylo all join from Peterborough.
It’s sure to be an entertaining night of action on opening night and Lions skipper Max Fricke can’t wait to get the team’s season up and running.
“We’ve got a new team this year and a lot of changes around the club so it’s really cool to see and hopefully we’ll put in some good results,” he said.
“It is the first one of the year so we’ve got to be conscious of that - but I think we should go well.
“Everyone is keen and ready to go and we can’t wait for it.
“It’s been a long off-season so we’re looking forward to seeing all of the supporters there.”
Four-times World Champion Greg Hancock will also be in attendance for the fixture as the club’s invited special guest.
Admission is £22 adults, £20 concessions, £1 children aged 6-17 whilst kids aged 5 and under go free.
Tickets can be purchased on the night at the box office or in advance online via: https://leicesterlions.seatlab.com
This fixture is also being streamed by British Speedway Network and meeting passes can be bought at: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk
WATLING JCB LEICESTER LIONS: Max Fricke, Richard Lawson, Sam Masters, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
KING’S LYNN: Tobiasz Musielak, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Michael Palm Toft, Benjamin Basso, Vadim Tarasenko, Patryk Wojdylo, Anders Rowe
