Leicester's youngsters will challenge the Devils

NEWS Wednesday 30th June 2021, 12:00pm

by Mike Hunter

This Friday the youngest team in British Speedway – perhaps ever – will show how much they are learning as they come to take on the Armadale Stellar Devils, themselves featuring their new teenage signing, in the National Development League.

The Leicester Cubs are the reigning champions at this level, but are actually a pretty different septet from the riders who won the title in the last completed season of 2019. Every one of this year's team were born in the current century, and their average age is 18, with star names being the twins Joe and Dan Thompson plus their captain Joe Lawlor who is the Monarchs' 'Rising Star'.

The Thompson Twins are the only team members who were in the league-winning side in 2019, and of course they are also doing very well for the Lions at Championship level.

Youthful talent is what every team will be striving for though it is not something which can be speedily achieved. However the new Monarchs Academy at Armadale is the first step on a similar path, and of course the Devils will this week track their new rider Archie Freeman (16) who was left without a team when Newcastle Gems withdrew from the NDL.

George Rothery of the Devils may be a little older at 23 but he is still inexperienced and learning, and has been the most talked-about of the home side so far this season. He says "I was trying a few different setups at the last meeting to get more speed from the bike but I think I am riding Armadale OK. I know we can give it our best shot but also I know the Thompson twins are fast riders and Joe Lawlor rides Armadale regularly so it will be very interesting."

As with all meetings at Armadale this match will be Live Streamed via the Monarchs website.

THIS WEEK'S MEETING:

Friday 2nd July: Armadale Stellar Devils v Leicester Cubs (National Development League), 7:30pm

STELLAR DEVILS: Nathan Greaves (capt.), Gregor Millar, Danny Phillips, George Rothery, Tom Woolley, Archie Freeman, Lewis Millar.

LEICESTER CUBS: Dan Thompson, Ben Trigger, Joe Lawlor (capt.), Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Kai Ward, Mickie Simpson.

The Edinburgh "What the Fork" Monarchs return on Friday 9th July against Berwick at Armadale.

Tickets

Tickets are now available to book via our ticketing website. A small number of tickets will be available on Friday from the Box Office just outside the turnstiles.

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Live Stream

For those who aren't able to attend, the match will be proudly presented only by EMTV once again. You can pre-order access over on the EMTV website for £7.99.

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Programme

For the perfect compliment to your EMTV viewing experience, you can order Friday's programme and receive a digital copy straight to your email inbox.

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