MARCH has finally arrived and reigning Premiership Champions Belle Vue have added four more big names to the roster for our prestigious season opener, the Peter Craven Memorial, on March 20.
Former ATPI Aces No.1 Max Fricke joins the field at the National Speedway Stadium along with his fellow Premiership League winners Charles Wright and Tom Brennan, and World No.4 Freddie Lindgren.
They bring the star-studded roster up to eight confirmed riders alongside Matej Zagar, Jaimon Lidsey, Krzysztof Kasprzak and Michael Palm Toft.
Speedway GP star Lindgren, from Sweden, makes a rare appearance on British shale in his first Peter Craven Memorial and, through his exploits with Wolverhampton, is sure to be a dominant force at the National Speedway Stadium.
Australian Fricke another Grand Prix racer who needs no introduction to Manchester.
As part of the Belle Vue side who charged to Premiership glory, he makes the switch to top flight rivals Leicester in 2023 and will no doubt be out to prove he’s capable of winning around his old stomping ground.
Both Wright and Brennan have been stalwarts of the Belle Vue team for the last 3 season. As vital cogs in the well-oiled machine that helped lift the Premiership trophy in 2022, each are genuine contenders for the Craven trophy.
With such a world-class line-up coming together, excitement is building for the 28th staging of the Peter Craven Memorial and club boss Mark Lemon is already anticipating a closely contested meeting.
He said: “Freddie Lindgren is without doubt one of the strongest riders on the world stage right now and it has been too long since we’ve had the pleasure of his talent at the National Speedway Stadium.
“I’m also pleased to include so many of our current and former Aces riders as well. Max [Fricke] may not be riding for us in 2023 but he still has a very loyal following here in Manchester and is welcome back home at any time.
“His affinity for the outside line at this track has gifted us some very exciting races, as have both Charles and Tom who were a big part of our league title victory last year.
“Charles is Belle Vue through and through and another who’s always prepared to go all-out, and I think Tom, who is the current British No.2, could very well surprise everyone with how rapidly he has developed in the sport.
“Things are falling into place nicely for this year’s event and I’m confident we’ve put together a strong and competitive field as to expect one of the best staging of the Peter Craven Memorial.”
The 28th staging of the Peter Craven Memorial takes place Monday, March 20th at 7:30pm. Meeting tickets are now available to purchase online at bellevue-speedway.com.
Image: L-R: Tom Brennan, Max Fricke, Freddie Lindgren, Charles Wright