PREVIEW: FOXES v KING’S LYNN
NORTHAMPTON are back at home on Thursday for their second meeting at the Shaleway chasing their first win as they host King’s Lynn (7.30pm).
The Foxes staged a memorable opening event last week but they are still looking to achieve that elusive maiden victory, with the Stars providing the next test.
It’s their final fixture in the Knockout Cup section before full focus turns to the league campaign, and the meeting brings one of the world’s top riders to Northampton.
King’s Lynn No.1 Max Fricke was statistically the best rider in the Premiership by a distance last season, and he will be on track on Thursday along with one of the legends of the sport, club captain Chris Harris who won a host of honours nearby at Coventry earlier in his career.
The Stars also track two of the country’s top talents at reserve in 16-year-old Cooper Rushen and 19-year-old Jody Scott, and both have been impressive so far in 2026.
Northampton are forced into changes in their middle order, with Matej Zagar ruled out by the broken ankle he suffered at Belle Vue on Monday. Australian racer Zach Cook has been booked to stand in on Thursday.
Meanwhile Niels-Kristian Iversen has a further hospital appointment on Thursday, where he will receive the results of more x-rays which will confirm whether he is cleared to fly. Should that be the case, he will make his debut in the league match away at Sheffield next Thursday.
For this week’s home fixture former King’s Lynn rider Lewis Kerr, who currently races for Poole in the Championship, will come in to guest.
Team manager Chris Adams said: “We need to keep a close eye on the situation with Niels because obviously we were hoping he’d be back on Monday, but as I’ve always said a rider’s health should come first and foremost.
“There’s nothing wrong with him riding, it’s just been the fact of him flying, and obviously he doesn’t want any further injury to his lungs, and we have to take that for what it is.
“I certainly want him back for our first home league match, and hopefully he’ll be back before that.
“Elsewhere we’ve seen some inconsistency a couple of times with this team so far, even within one meeting, but the riders are all working hard to try and cure it.
“It’s still early days, so we move on to the next meeting and I’m sure against King’s Lynn it will be an exciting night of racing entertainment.”
Supporters are reminded that advance tickets are available from https://northampton-speedway.com/tickets-hospitality , and these will provide the quickest entry to the stadium on Thursday. However, tickets will as always be available on the night with both cash and card payment methods acceptable.
NORTHAMPTON: Jaimon Lidsey, Troy Batchelor, Zach Cook, Lewis Kerr, Nicolai Klindt, Kye Thomson, Luke Harrison.
KING’S LYNN: Max Fricke, Paco Castagna, Chris Harris, Ben Cook, Jan Kvech, Cooper Rushen, Jody Scott.