Edinburgh Monarchs face Plymouth Gladiators at Armadale on Friday (tapes-up 7.30pm) in a key Cab Direct Championship fixture and, as the Scots won at Plymouth in June, any win for the home side will mean they take all three points.
Gladiators have, however, returned to full strength and will bring their formidable heat leader trio of Danny King, Scott Nicholls and Ben Barker north.
King and Nicholls are two of the most proficient Armadale specialists, and Barker also is a combative character who has a recent maximum at the West Lothian track on his record.
Monarchs’ captain Paco Castagna (pictured in action) has landed the wild card for this weekend’s Grand Prix Challenge, the last step before the Grand Prix, and he misses the match.
He represents his home country in the event at Lonigo and he is multiple Italian Champion.
There are no suitable guests available so rider replacement will apply for Friday and, probably, also for the trip to Workington Comets on Saturday.
Monarchs’ reserves are likely to take ten rides between them so their performance will be crucial.
Alex Harkess, Monarchs’ team manager, said: “Plymouth arrive on Friday with three very good heat leaders who would expect to match anyone, if they are all fit. Whether they can match Edinburgh at Armadale is something again.”
Friday’s match will be live streamed and details are on www.edinburghmonarchs.co.uk.
ROSS ECO TECHNOLOGIES MONARCHS: Dan Thompson, rider replacement for Paco Castagna, Justin Sedgmen (captain), Jonatan Grahn, Kye Thomson, Mitch Cluff, Jordy Loftus.
OBM GLADIATORS: Danny King, Joe Thompson, Daniel Klima, Ben Barker (captain), Scott Nicholls, Anze Grmek, Ben Whalley.
Following the match there will be four races of a Vintage Bike display, Scotland v England.
