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LIONS RECRUIT KEMP & JOE THOMPSON AT RESERVE

04/12/2023

LIONS RECRUIT KEMP & JOE THOMPSON AT RESERVELIONS RECRUIT KEMP & JOE THOMPSON AT RESERVE

Leicester boss Stewart Dickson believes Drew Kemp and Joe Thompson can only improve in Lions colours after drafting them in for 2024.

Kemp returns to Beaumont Park after joining Leicester halfway through this year, while Thompson – who previously raced for the club in the Championship and National League – serves as their Rising Star as part of the scheme devised to develop British talent.

Dickson believes there is more to come from the pair as they join Speedway GP first reserve Max Fricke and his fellow Aussie star Sam Masters in the side.

“It’s a young reserve pairing and for me they will still get better,” Dickson said. “I’m very happy to get both of them on board.

“Drew was always in my plans because he did so well this year, and we’re getting him one point below his actual average, so effectively in terms of last season’s numbers, we’re building to a 41 rather than a 40, that’s the way I see it, and I’m sure he’ll continue to improve.

“I’m pleased to get him back and he was keen to come back. It’s quite ironic because I’ve known him for a while. He used to come on the training days, but not once did he ever want to race for Leicester. But now he’s had a taste of the place, and at the end of the season, he said he wanted to come back next year!

“I touched base with Joe around 10 days ago, before I knew what Birmingham and Oxford were doing with their Rising Stars, and for me he was always the obvious candidate because he rides Beaumont Park so well.

“I’m trying to build a team to win our home matches first and foremost, and he fits into exactly what we’re trying to do as a club – and I think the supporters will see that with the other signings that are coming. Whatever Joe can pick up on the road will be a bonus, but looking at the signings and rumoured signings elsewhere, we need to make our home track a fortress. We lost three or four this year and for me that’s three or four too many.

“There was an extensive list of riders on the Rising Star list, but Joe was the one who stood out, and I’m pleased to have two good young British riders at the bottom end of the team.”