Edinburgh Monarchs have a mouth-watering start to the new season when arch rivals, Glasgow Tigers, visit in the BSN Series on Friday (tapes-up 7.30pm).
Tigers have been consistent performers in recent season, challenging for major honours, and they once again have a strong side. This meeting will test the Monarchs.
Two full-strength teams should be on duty and some of the riders have had meetings, notably the new Monarchs’ No 1 Dan Thompson who won the Ben Fund Bonanza individual event at Glasgow. This will be his debut for Monarchs.
Monarchs’ captain Paco Castagna rides on Thursday night at Ipswich for his Premiership team King’s Lynn.
Mitch Cluff will also make his debut for the home side at reserve but the other home men are well known to the fans and experienced on their own track.
Tigers appear to have no weak links but second strings Mario Hausl and Kevin Juhl Pedersen have not ridden at Armadale before.
Alex Harkess, Monarchs’ team manager, said: “Glasgow’s team will depend a lot on their two new riders in the middle of the team, and certainly the Danish lad Pedersen looked very good round their place in the Bonanza.
“It is up to us to perform as we are capable of. Hopefully that will happen and the man (Dan Thompson) that won the matches for them here last year is on our side this time.”
ROSS ECO TECHNOLOGIES MONARCHS: Dan Thompson, Jonatan Grahn, Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna (capt), Kye Thomson, Mitch Cluff, Jordy Loftus.
ALLIED VEHICLES TIGERS: Chris Harris (capt), Mario Hausl, Leon Flint, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Kyle Howarth, Sam Hagon, Freddy Hodder.
Following the senior match the first Northern Junior League match of the season will be staged. West Lothian Wildcats face Ashfield Giants and it is a big night for Aussie newcomer, Anika Loftus, and also for Rocco Webb who race for the Wildcats for the first time.
REVVED-UP: The new look Glasgow Tigers 2026. Picture by Taylor Lanning and courtesy of Glasgow Tigers
