LEICESTER racer Ryan Douglas is backing the side for success despite the loss of the inspirational Scott Nicholls.
Douglas has been in fine form in Australia with a host of wins in individual meetings and is flying back to the UK in the next fortnight.
He believes the side assembled by boss Stewart Dickson has a great chance of defending their Championship title.
He said: “I think Leicester has a really strong team even without Scott.
“He was a big help to me and a lot of the boys in 2019 but Nick is a great replacement and will fit in great with the boys.
“We all know each other so we won’t need a period of bonding to start the season off. It’s going to be interesting with most of the riders having not raced for over 12 months.”
He believes a good start is important with little opportunity for practice.
“We just need to look after ourselves once the season starts and get off to a good start and get points on the board early on especially as we will all be going into the season cold with no practice matches,” he said.
“It looks like a good team on paper so I can’t see why we shouldn’t do well. There will be a lot of competition for the number one race jacket and that competition should be healthy for the team.
“Personally I want to be No.1 at Leicester all season and carry on my form from back home as well as keep improving my average for Wolves in the Premiership.”
Leicester head to Kent for their opening Championship meeting on Tuesday May 18 before their first home outing with Edinburgh the following Saturday.
The first meeting of the year at the Paul Chapman and Sons Arena will be Wednesday May 19 when the Roger Webster Lion Cubs face Eastbourne.
Full ticket details and prices are available at leicesterspeedway.com the official club website.
