PREVIEW: KING'S LYNN v FOXES

NORTHAMPTON Foxes go into action for the first time on Monday when the newest club in British Speedway travel to King’s Lynn in the Knockout Cup (7.30pm).

There has been much excitement since the club’s introduction to the sport was confirmed, and whilst the opening home meeting will clearly be the most significant launch moment, their first match as a team is also highly significant.

The Knockout Cup is a competition which has seen the six Premiership clubs split into two regional sections, which means the Foxes face home and away matches against Ipswich and King’s Lynn, with the group winners qualifying for the Final.

Ipswich hold the early advantage in the southern group as they have already defeated King’s Lynn home and away, whilst the northern group will be decided in a shootout between Leicester and Sheffield this Thursday.

King’s Lynn were Cup Finalists last season and the Stars made headlines over the winter with the signing of Australian superstar Max Fricke, statistically the league’s best rider last year.

They also include ever-popular British veteran Chris Harris and two of the sport’s best up-and-coming youngsters in Cooper Rushen and Jody Scott.
The Foxes travel as a six-man team with Niels-Kristian Iversen sidelined after a crash at the Norfolk venue last month, although he does hope to step up his comeback process shortly.

Iversen’s rides in the programme will be shared between his team-mates under the rider replacement facility, and there is plenty of King’s Lynn experience in the visitors’ ranks.
Skipper Nicolai Klindt was captain of the Stars last season whilst Troy Batchelor, Kye Thomson and Luke Harrison have all had spells in Lynn colours.

Thomson warmed up for the meeting with a terrific display for his Championship club Edinburgh on Friday, where he scored 12+1 points from five rides at Redcar.

It’s a busy week on the road for the Foxes as they also visit Ipswich on Thursday prior to preparing for the their home opener, and manager Chris Adams says they will travel in positive mood.
Adams said: “It does feel strange not to have had the usual pre-season preparations, but I’ve spoken to every rider in the team individually, and they all know what my expectations of them are and what I expect from the first meeting.
“It’s going to be difficult because having the lads together for a press and practice where you can all bond and practice together is something that we’re missing, so that may play a tiny part as this is our first time together.

“But the lads are eager to get going. They know it’s an official meeting, they are all prepared for it, and we’ll have to see what Monday brings!”

KING’S LYNN: Max Fricke, Paco Castagna, Chris Harris, Ben Cook, Jan Kvech, Cooper Rushen, Jody Scott.

NORTHAMPTON: Jaimon Lidsey, Troy Batchelor, Matej Zagar, Niels-Kristian Iversen R/R, Nicolai Klindt, Kye Thomson, Luke Harrison.