Nieminen
Signs
Posted 26/12/05
Workington asset Kauko Nieminen has today
been announced by the promotion as the fifth Tigers signing for 2006.
The Finish rider has been one of the victims of the new points
structure at Workington although many Comets fans were hoping they
would still be able to fit him in to their side.
Aged 26, Kauko previously won the Finish U21 championship
three times and also won the Finish pairs title with another rider
to wear the stripes, Kaj Laukkanen. However Glasgow fans may remember
his other claim to fame as he was the first opposition rider to beat
Shane round Ashfield in an official competition back in May 2004.
Shane out gated him in that race but Nieminen went round the outside
of him on the second bend and then rode a very clever tactical race
to hold off the much faster Aussie for the remainder of the race.
He missed two months of last season with a badly broken collar
bone after an innocent looking fall in the final heat of Workington’s
meeting with Kings Lynn last May but still increased his average by
over half a point from 6.83 to 7.51. His starting average for 2006
once bonus points have been deducted is 6.82
Last season also saw him make his Elite League debut when
he was drafted into the Swindon side at Wolves on the 12th September,
scoring 3 from 5. Whilst in the UK, his base is in Workington so travel
is not a major factor for Glasgow.
Kauko has in the past been known to dabble with the hair
dye so with him and David McAllan in the side the pits could be colourful.
With all the constraints facing the promotion as they team
build for 2006, this could prove to be a very shrewd signing for the
Tigers.
Welcome to Glasgow Kauko.
