LEICESTER have made popular Australian star Ryan Douglas their first confirmed signing for the 2020 season.
With the Championship league format and team-building restrictions now rubber-stamped at the AGM, boss Stewart Dickson has wasted no time in making moves to tie down riders for the Watling JCB Lions’ title defence.
Douglas was one of the big success stories of the club’s sensational 2019 campaign, having returned from a year out of British racing.
He assumed additional responsibility following the injury sustained by Richie Worrall, taking a prominent heat-leader berth for the vital fixtures in the Lions’ run-in – and he ended with a highly impressive average of 8.31.
Dickson said: “I’m very much looking forward to getting Ryan back, and I think he has more progress in him.
“Ryan actually has a bigger average away from home, which is always pleasing from a team manager’s point of view, and I’m sure he can also improve further at home with more laps around there.
“He stepped up to ride at No.5 in the closing stages of the season and I’ve no concerns whatsoever if he starts in that position next year – he can handle the job with no problem at all.”
Further team news is expected to follow over the coming days, with the Lions building their septet up to a combined team average of 41.00.
