LEICESTER have kept up their long-term planning – by swooping for British Youth star Ben Trigger.
The 14-year-old becomes eligible for National League racing on his birthday on May 27 and will then go straight into the third tier with the Roger Webster Lion Cubs having pledged his future to the club.
Lions bosses have kept tabs on Trigger in the Youth series, where he impressed at 125cc level last season, whilst also gaining 500cc experience in Amateur events at Redcar and Scunthorpe.
Now he’s counting the days to being able to get back on-track for practice, and then for team racing from the end of May – government restrictions permitting!
Trigger said: “It’s a bit of a shock to be joining a club like Leicester, but I’m really excited to be in the team.
“I’m sure the top boys like the Thompson twins will be able to help with teaching me things, and if I’m struggling with certain parts of a track I’ve got people there who can help me, which I don’t really have at the minute.
“I think I got the most out of what I could do last year, obviously we could have done more if Covid wasn’t a thing, and now I just can’t wait to get out on the bike for practice. When you’re inside so much, you just want to get out!”
Lions promoter Stewart Dickson says the signing of Trigger fits in perfectly with the club’s focus on developing young talent, which will be ever more important over the coming years.
Dickson said: “Ben might only be 14 but I’ve been keeping an eye on him for the last couple of years and I’ve watched him steadily improve.
“He’s a nice, well-mannered boy and he fits into what we are trying to achieve at Leicester on the back of the Kai Ward signing last week.
“I also know his dad Lee very well from our team manager battles when he was in charge at Plymouth!
“I’m delighted to see Ben join up and commit his long-term future to Leicester, although I do realise he doesn’t turn 15 until late May so if we are running at NL level at that time, we would need a short-term signing until then.
“I’d also like to thank Darren Thompson (father of Dan and Joe) for his assistance in bringing Ben to the club.”
The news also means the continued re-structuring of the Lion Cubs’ intended 2020 side, and the club have reluctantly had to inform James Chattin they will no longer be able to include him.
Dickson added: “This is never an easy decision to make, but with the new Rising Star scheme coming into force the owners along with myself and (co-promoter) Dave Darcy feel we need to forward-plan and focus on Youth riders of the 15-18 age bracket.
“It’s unfortunate for James and we wish him all the best for the future.”
