LEICESTER have completed their National League line-up – with two riders who are very familiar with the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena!
The Lion Cubs have moved to sign Luke Ruddick and Jamie Halder, who were both part of the Coventry team who raced their home fixtures there this year.
20-year-old Ruddick has been competing at NL level since 2015, and after three years with Mildenhall he put well over a point onto his average with the Bees last season, finishing on 6.67.
Halder, 19, has been associated with Coventry for much of his career so far, and also took a big step forward in 2018 with a high-scoring spell at reserve taking him into the top five for the first time, and he ended on a figure of 4.63.
Co-promoter Stewart Dickson said: “Both Luke and Jamie were very keen to come and join us, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they develop.
“Luke is a promising rider and I think he’s got a bit to go with his progression as well.
“I think he should be looking to push up to around a seven or seven-and-a-half point average with us next season, and he also has a Championship place with Edinburgh.
“Jamie rode the track last season as well for Coventry, and again we’re looking to the future because he isn’t an asset of anyone, but we’ve verbally agreed that if he’s enjoying it and we’re enjoying having him, then we’ll look to get him on a contract sometime during the season.
“So it’s very much a case of short to long-term thinking in what we’re trying to do, and I would say things have fallen into place well for us.
“It’s good to have both the Championship and the National League teams all tied up before Christmas, and now I can get moving on other things.
“Everything is positive at the club, the team news has been well-received at both levels and we’re all looking forward to the new season.”
LION CUBS 2019: Ellis Perks, Danyon Hume, Luke Ruddick, Jamie Halder, Kelsey Dugard, Dan Thompson, Joe Thompson.
