LEICESTER are delighted to announce the signing of British Amateur Champion Kai Ward to join their National League side this season.
Ward, who will turn 18 in April, has made good progress during his short time in the sport so far and will now link up with the Roger Webster Lion Cubs.
The Devon-based rider, who also races grasstrack, had some early outings for Exeter in the Southern Development League in 2019 before breaking his collarbone.
And despite the heavy restrictions on track-time in 2020, he secured his Amateur title at Scunthorpe last August.
Ward said: “I think it’s a good time to get into the National League. The next step for me is to get into some team racing, have a real go at it and see if I can get some points on the board.
“I’ve only ridden the Leicester track once, but it was actually the first track I slid a speedway bike on, and I’m looking forward to getting back there and starting to get comfortable with my home track.
“The aim is to keep learning, score some points and have a good season. I’ve done a few Dragons meetings along with a bit of SDL, but obviously the National League is bigger.
“This will be one of my first times riding in a seven-man team so it will be a little bit different, but hopefully I can get to grips with it and be a good team rider.”
Leicester promoter Stewart Dickson had already confirmed there are set to be alterations to the planned Lion Cubs team of 2020, due to the expected lowering of the points limit and an overall change of emphasis within third-tier racing.
Dickson said: “With the news that the National League will be slightly reducing its points limit for 2021, and the introduction of the new Rising Stars scheme, we feel more opportunities will be given to new young British riders making their way in the sport.
“That’s very much our way of thinking with this signing, as Kai had some very impressive outings in the Amateur meetings last year.
“My thanks to Rob Godfrey and Richard Hollingsworth at Scunthorpe for recommending Kai to me, and we look forward to seeing him at Leicester when we are able to open.”
Leicester can also confirm they have released Kean Dicken from their National League plans, as he has advised the club he no longer wishes to be considered for the team this season. We wish him well for the future.
Picture: IAN RISPIN
