LEICESTER’S riders are making their way back to the UK – and are keen to get back on track with the new season now just one month away.
The Watling JCB Lions’ Australian duo of Sam Masters and Ryan Douglas both returned this week, whilst fellow countryman and skipper Max Fricke has been back in Europe from earlier this month.
That just leaves American ace Luke Becker of the Lions’ inter-continental contingent to return from Stateside, which will happen before riders collect their vans in early March.
Dickson said: “Sam and Ryan both arrived earlier this week so it’s just Luke we’re waiting on, and Sam messaged me straightaway asking when he can get some laps in.
“Kyle (Howarth) has also been chasing me because he wants to get on the track, although being realistic that’s probably a couple of weeks away at the moment because of the weather.
“I keep in contact with all the riders during the winter, and I know Max will be flying all over the place to make sure everything is in place for the year.
“Luke, Max and Dougy are getting their vans on March 10, and that’s when you know things are happening and you see those pictures, you know the season is getting close.
“We’re also sorting out our arrangements for press day (Thursday March 20) when we’ll get the riders all together throughout the day.
“I know they all know each other but it’s always nice to have a get-together and see everyone at the start of the season, and then we’ll be on track in the evening.”
Pre-season work is continuing at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park, and that will include a new air-fence on turns three and four.
Lions are bringing in their new fence on a staggered basis over two winters, and they will replace the air-fence on turns one and two this time next year.
Dickson said: “The half of the air-fence we need for this season has arrived, and the track staff have been busy working in all sorts of weather to get things ready.
“They’ve been strengthening the fence and putting in new kickboards, new stakes to hold the fence up, and putting in a new mesh fence for the new air-fence.
“They work exceptionally hard and it’s been good to see them when I’ve been down at the track myself, and I know they’re in again this weekend.”
The opening meeting of the season is the Ryan Douglas Testimonial on Saturday March 22 (4pm) with the Lions then going into KO Cup action against Birmingham the following week.
