Leicester will be represented by Kim Nilsson and Danny King in the SGB Premiership Pairs competition at Somerset on Friday and the club has been drawn in Group B along with Rye House, Poole and King’s Lynn.
It was a meeting that was far from Danny’s mind as he was without a team place in the Premiership. The British Champion was all set to race for Coventry until the club were forced to withdraw from the league which left him resigned to waiting for an opportunity to present itself during the course of the season. That was until an unexpected offer of a team place was made with the Watling JCB Lions.
“The call came as a total surprise. As soon as I was told Coventry wouldn't be competing this season I contacted every club to make them aware of my situation and that I was ready to go but understandably promoters were reluctant to make changes before the season started so I thought I would have to wait until May before I even got a look in. But I am over the moon to be joining Leicester. It is a great home track and is not too far from my home. I am very excited about the season now and am looking forward to meeting the fans next week. I would also like to thank Damien Bates for the opportunity, he is a very professional man with big ambitions and I am pleased to be a part of his team.”
After three years of struggle since they stepped up into the top tier the Lions are looking for an improvement in results this season. “Leicester has had a hard time the last few seasons but there is a winning feel already with the new management. I think the team we have is good and we will be solid at home and pick up points on the road. So I believe we have a very good chance to be in the playoffs come the end of the year.”
Whilst King is keen to help build a winning spirit at Leicester he also has personal goals he would like to achieve. “Last season was my best ever so it’s going to be tough to repeat that but I am up for the challenge. I was happy with the way I finished the season so I plan to carry that on and will be working hard to retain my British title, go to Cardiff again and of course represent Team GB in the World Team Cup.”
Fans will have a chance to see the team complete their first laps of the Beaumont Park track on Wednesday. The Stadium will be open from 2.30pm and in the evening the riders and management will be present in the Stadium Bar for a ‘Talk In’ event which starts at 6.00pm.
Season tickets will be available for collection during the afternoon or evening events on Wednesday and for those people who are unable to attend they can collect their passes before the Premiership fixture against Swindon on Saturday 1st April from the ticket office.
