Early Czech out for star rider Matej

NEWCASTLE BTS Diamonds complete their SGB Championship programme this weekend with back-to-back meetings against Lakeside (away) tonight and Workington at Byker tomorrow (5.30).

However, for one Diamond, Czech star Matej Kus, the season is already over.

The 29-year-old crashed in his first race at Brough Park last Sunday and returned to his home country the following day, where a possible cracked femur was diagnosed along with knee ligament damage.

However, Ashley Morris, who missed last weekend’s two defeats, returns to the Newcastle line-up after successfully returning to the saddle on Wednesday and scoring nine (paid 11) for Birmingham in a challenge match.

The earlier start time (by one hour) tomorrow is because the final of the British Youth Championship at 125cc level takes place immediately after the Newcastle v Workington match.

Two Newcastle Gems’ racers, 13-year-olds Archie Freeman and Danny Smith, are hoping to bring some silverware to the club as they take their places in the eight-racer field.

Freeman, in particular, has had an outstanding season in junior racing, appearing to be virtually unbeatable, while Smith has also made an good impression as he has improved in leaps and bounds.

BTS Diamonds’ skipper Stuart Robson will be back on one of his 2018 tracks tonight when the match against Lakeside takes place at Rye House, which closed down as a SGB Premiership outfit a few months into the season.

Lakeside are homeless themselves now as developers are taking over the Arena-Essex site, so an arrangement has been made for the Hammers to move to the vacant Rockets’ base.

Newcastle boss George English said: “It will be an interesting night as, apart from training schools, the Rye House track has not had any competitive racing on it for months.

“Both Lakeside and Workington are still in with a shout of reaching the play-offs so we are facing another tough weekend of action.

“We were soundly beaten at Workington last weekend but would love to end our home league programme with a revenge win over the Comets.”