LEICESTER hand a debut to new signing Troy Batchelor when they face King’s Lynn at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park on Monday (7.30pm).
It’s the first of two meetings this week between the Watling JCB Lions and the Stars as they also clash in Norfolk on Thursday.
Monday’s match is the one which carries the aggregate point as this is the reverse fixture from a close contest at the Adrian Flux Arena just under a month ago, which the Lions won 47-43.
That means a win of any kind back at home will see Stewart Dickson’s side add three points to their total and ensure they remain in second place regardless of Wolverhampton’s result against Peterborough.
The Lions are currently ten points behind leaders Belle Vue, who race at home to Ipswich, but Leicester have a massive six matches in hand on the Aces.
Batchelor comes in at No.3 in a slightly revised riding order, replacing the suspended Nick Morris but with Richard Lawson moving to take over the No.5 berth.
Meanwhile skipper Chris Harris goes into the meeting on a high after victory in the third round of the FIM Long Track World Championship in Marmande on Thursday.
His second successive win in the series has taken him to the top of the standings, one point clear of Martin Smolinski at the halfway stage.
King’s Lynn have endured a troubled season with speculation over their future after former boss Alex Brady quit the club – but after being given permission to take a week’s break, the Stars are back in action and appear to be tracking their strongest line-up for some time.
2021 World Champion Artem Laguta, who was Brady’s final major signing, makes his first appearance at Beaumont Park, whilst skipper Nicolai Klindt put in a sensational display at the venue in the recent Premiership Pairs.
Klindt is far from the only ex-Lions rider in the visitors’ line-up as they bring in another former Leicester captain, Kyle Howarth, to guest for the injured Michael Palm Toft, whilst reserves Simon Lambert and Anders Rowe have also had previous spells at LE4.
Dickson said: “The approach on Monday will be just the same. I can’t have what happened with Nick at Birmingham last Wednesday affecting Leicester, and that’s why I moved quickly with Troy.
“It’s business as usual. We’ve got a big meeting on Monday, and then again on Thursday, and obviously it’s going to be good to see Laguta riding here.
“I’d read Buster Chapman’s comments last week and I’m glad they’ve managed to keep him there, and I’m sure we’ll get a turnout to see him racing for the first time at Leicester.
“I’m looking forward to seeing his clashes with our riders and it should be a good meeting, but it’s another one which we very much need to win.”
Supporters are reminded that this meeting is NOT being televised live and the only way to enjoy all the action is at the stadium on Monday evening. Gates open at 6pm.
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Justin Sedgmen, Troy Batchelor, Chris Harris, Richard Lawson, Jake Allen, Drew Kemp
KING’S LYNN: Artem Laguta, Kye Thomson, Kyle Howarth, Thomas Jorgensen, Nicolai Klindt, Simon Lambert, Anders Rowe.
