Its
a KnockOut Without Jokers
Posted 29/06/05
It will be very much a new look Tigers side
that take to the track this evening at Hull to defend their 22 point
lead in the second leg of the Knock Out Cup.
Most eyes will be on the new signing that has caught the
eye of many, hot Danish prospect Leon Madsen. From comments made by
those who have seen him ride, Leon is very quick out of the gate,
something that will hold him in good stead at Craven Park. Whilst
everyone is expecting great things however, it is important to give
him time to settle in, he is only 16 and this will be his first outing
in this country.
Our other debutant, Adam Roynon at reserve, is going to find
life difficult as he is going into the meeting minus the two engines
he blew at the weekend whilst racing CL and also suffering the aches
of a heavy fall. Fellow reserve James Cockle also took a heavy tumble
at the weekend. He has already ridden Craven Park this season, as
a guest for Sheffield although he only scored 1+1.
After Sunday, Tigers fans thought that Shane may well sit
this one out to give his collar bone time to heal. Amazingly this
does not appear to be the case as there has been no mention of guest
and he is named by Hull as riding tonight. Fellow pairs champion George
Stancl will really need to lead by example on a track that does not
rank as one of his best.
Claus is now over his flu and has the advantage of having
ridden at Hull already this year for Newcastle when he scored 8+1.
His gating could be decisive this evening. The final member of the
team, Stefan Ekberg, will be another first time visitor to riding
the Craven Park circuit. Current form in Sweden should mean his confidence
is high but with Hull being difficult to pass on he will have his
work cut out this evening.
The Hull side may also have a very different look to it this
evening. Garry Stead and Emiliano Sanchez missed Sunday's pairs due
to injury and although Sanchez is expected to return they are likely
to be without Stead. No guest has as yet been named although they
have indicated any guest would have to be from Workington or Sheffield.
Craig Branney will make a late decision with regards to his fitness
to ride, if he fails to make it r/r will be used. Emil Kramer has
been in superb form and is expected to be one of Hull's main scorers.
Paul Thorp at home is also a formidable opponent. Parsons and Terenzani
have both also been scoring heavily at home.
Whilst 22 points looks a reasonable lead, it is actually
more comfortable when you remember that in the knockout cup we are
spared the use of tactical rides and tactical substitutes and it is
merely a straightforward racing contest.
The one thing that could go against Glasgow is the weather.
The forecast for Hull today is not particularly favourable and given
their injury troubles and apparent failure to fix up a guest as yet
for Stead, it seems unlikely that all the stops will be pulled out
to run the meeting no matter what.
