Speedway: Monarchs in race to find Jonasson replacement

Published on Tuesday 16 June 2009 09:49

EDINBURGH Scotwaste Monarchs have a deadline of midnight if they want to track a replacement rider for Thomas Jonasson in time to face Workington Comets in Friday's Premier League KO Cup quarter-final first-leg tie at Armadale.

But Monarchs co-boss John Campbell, pictured below, today said: "So far we have made no progress. We have received a number of rejections from possible candidates, but things can change very quickly in the speedway world. We haven't ruled out the possibility that we may find someone in time for Friday."

Jonasson's decision to take a break from his UK racing career has given Monarchs an unwanted headache and the Swede's bikes remain in this country.

A club source said: "Thomas' feeling was to take a month off and rejoin Monarchs after that, but it's been pointed out this isn't how things work."

Monarchs' other problem centres on the reserve berth and the failure of Sean Stoddart to stamp his authority on the position.

The Edinburgh-based rider, who scored three points guesting for Berwick Bandits against Sheffield on Saturday, posted the same tally against Newcastle at Armadale on Friday, but expressed disappointment that he didn't do better against his former team-mates.

"You want to score well against everyone but I would have liked a few more points." Stoddart was replaced in his last outing by tail-end partner Aaron Summers, and this sometimes does little for a struggling riders' confidence.

By the same token Monarchs need two solid scoring reserves and it's become evident that the Capital outfit, who are trying to successfully defend their Premier League crown, have yet to find the spark which spurred them to glory last season.

One welcome sign is the return to form of skipper Matthew Wethers. The Aussie, by his own admission, hasn't been entirely happy with how things have panned out on track recently.

To some he has looked a bit sluggish – but a blistering 17-point paid maximum against Rye House and 11 points against Newcastle, are tangible signs that Wethers is once again demonstrating the scoring prowess he is noted for.

Monarchs' home and away clashes against Workington this weekend are crucial. The KO Cup was the only trophy which eluded Monarchs last season and it was the Comets who ended their interest in the competition. If Monarchs fail to sign a new rider then toppling Workington suddenly becomes a very tough proposition indeed and big track specialist Michal Rajkowski could be a key rider.

A 60-34 victory over Workington in the Premier Trophy earlier in the season at Armadale will give Monarchs hope that they can secure another sizeable home leg advantage to take to Derwent Park on Saturday.