BRITISH SPEEDWAY DECEMBER 23

Photo:   LEE Complin insists he will go into his comeback season with his eyes wide open as to the level he needs to achieve.

Date: Thursday December 23, 2021

(SPEEDWAY 1)

PETERBOROUGH duo Scott Nicholls and Ulrich Ostergaard are well on target to be fit for the new season next spring.
Title-winning captain Nicholls has had a shoulder operation to repair wear and tear, and Ostergaard ended 2021 on the sidelines after suffering multiple injuries in a crash at Edinburgh.
Nicholls said: “I’m getting there with the shoulder. Surgery went well, and it’s now a case of time. I have to keep it in the sling for a few more weeks, which is slightly frustrating as I can be a little impatient wanting to do stuff.
“I can’t drive or do anything like that yet so I’m relying on others to get me about which isn’t ideal, but I just have to grin and bear it for a few more weeks. I’m on the mend which is the main thing.”
Ostergaard said: “The back is getting stronger every day now and I’m able to do most things with it.
“I’m planning to do more fitness work early in the New Year to build the strength up.”
 
(SPEEDWAY 2)

SHEFFIELD racer Stefan Nielsen insists he’s ready to show fans he is the real deal.
Nielsen did enough in his four Premiership meetings with the club last season to earn a recall for 2022, as he scored 30 points plus five bonus at reserve for the Tigers before his campaign ended with injury in a crash at Birmingham.
He said: “I felt I really was on a good roll at the time, everything was just coming together nicely, the team looked solid and I helped push the team over the line to secure a play-off place.
“But I am of course really gutted with how that story ended, I didn’t get a chance to make the difference in the big matches when it really mattered.
“But to now be back with Sheffield and having that opportunity to right this wrong is something I’m delighted with.”

(SPEEDWAY 3)

BRADY Kurtz says he has unfinished business at Belle Vue – especially after ending the 2021 season on the injured list.
Kurtz missed the Aces’ play-off campaign which ended in Grand Final defeat after he crashed in the Czech Republic, and now he is hoping to go one better next year after signing on to stay with the Manchester club.
He said: “Returning to Belle Vue wasn’t really much of a decision for me. I was always going to be back, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity.
“It’s good to see Max (Fricke), Charles (Wright) and Tom (Brennan) back. The team is looking pretty good, we’ve got four strong riders so far and I think it’ll be a big year for us.
“Obviously I didn’t finish last season in the way I was hoping. Not many people know, but I was unwell for quite a long time after that crash in the Golden Helmet.
“But I’m much better now and I think the decision not to ride was beneficial, and with not much racing going on in Australia right now I’ve been able to further rest up.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

LEICESTER skipper Kyle Howarth is backing the Thompson twins to progress again in 2022.
The club have once again included Dan and Joe in their Championship side – and Dan has already caught the eye of Premiership Sheffield and will be included in their squad as their No.8.
Howarth said: “I think the Thompson twins will kick on next season. It was their first season in the Championship so that’s out of the way now and they have visited all the tracks and now they know what they have got in front of them when they go away!
“They’re young and they can ride a bike so I don’t see why they can’t kick on.
“They could be the difference a few times next season, and as I say they will be more experienced on away tracks when we’ll need them to score points.”

(SPEEDWAY 5)

LEE Complin insists he will go into his comeback season with his eyes wide open as to the level he needs to achieve.
Complin was named as a surprise signing for Newcastle earlier this week after nearly a decade out of the sport.
He said: “If I didn’t think I could get back to the level I was at before I retired, I wouldn’t be bothering making a comeback.
“I believe the Newcastle supporters will see the same entertaining and successful rider that I was back in my glory days.
“I am 100 per cent ready for this, my fitness is in top form, and I can promise I will be giving my all every meeting to help Newcastle win some silverware.”