LEICESTER have completed their line-up for 2026 by announcing the return of former treble British Under-19 Champion Drew Kemp.
The 23-year-old has been associated with the Watling JCB Lions since their elevation to the top-flight in 2023, although last year was his first full season with the club.
Kemp answered the call of manager Stewart Dickson on the eve of press day to step into the side and he responded with his strongest campaign at this level, adding nearly a point to his average.
He will start the 2026 season at reserve alongside Rising Star Dan Gilkes, and the club believe this combination should provide plenty of firepower especially with the overall points limit having been reduced by three points.
Kemp said: “I’m looking forward to being back at Leicester. I had a fairly good year last year, although I won’t make any secret that I made plenty of mistakes!
“But Stewart has given me the opportunity again this year, and I really wanted to come back to Leicester and to rectify those things that I did wrong, and I know I can do that.
“Obviously coming second in the last two years isn’t ideal, but this year I really want to win a league title with Leicester, and it would be very good for the club.
“We came away with the KO Cup last year, which I think was deserved, and we were unlucky in the Grand Final.
“I think this year we can definitely come out on top. The team that has been put together is really good, it has strength in depth, which I think is important after a few rule changes.
“I’m looking forward to getting going again, and by the time March comes around we’ll be all guns blazing!”
Kemp will not be short of race fitness heading into the new campaign, as he is currently in Argentina competing in the 12-round national championship series.
He has reached the Final in all but one of the seven meetings so far, with the competition running until mid-February.
Kemp added: “Racing out here is only going to help my career for next season especially. I’d like to start the season still race-fit from racing in the winter, so I think it’s going to help me a lot.”
WATLING JCB LIONS 2026: Ryan Douglas 8.12, Sam Masters 7.28, Nick Morris 5.89, Dan Thompson 5.87, Kyle Howarth 5.00, Drew Kemp 4.72, Dan Gilkes (RS). Total: 36.88.
*With team building for 2026 now complete, the club would like to thank the riders from their successful 2025 season who will not be returning to the side.
It had already been confirmed that former captain Max Fricke will be making the move to King’s Lynn after three terrific campaigns in Lions colours.
The club also bid farewell to American star Luke Becker after two years with the club, along with Joe Thompson who spent the majority of 2025 in the Rising Star berth following the injury to Dan Gilkes.
They all played their part in a season which saw Leicester secure top-flight silverware for the first time in the KO Cup as well as reaching another Premiership Grand Final, and we wish them well for their racing this year.
