Monarchs surge to record win

SPEEDWAY

Craig Cook maintained his purple patch by powering to 13 points as Monarchs increased their record winning run for the start of a season to nine meetings, writes Nigel Duncan.

The Cumbrian was helped by a 12-point haul from St Helens racer Steve Worrall who capped a fine performance by winning the final heat. Only Theo Pijper, the former Monarch now captain of Glasgow Tigers who was riding for Scorpions as a guest, could keep pace with the home men. he had two race wins and was top scorer with 13 points. nAnders Thomsen aims to use the confidence boost of a surprise call-up for a European Championship qualifier as a spur when Glasgow Tigers entertain Redcar Bears in the Premier League tomorrow, writes Nigel Duncan. The 20-year-old Dane will race in one of three semi-finals and, if he gets through, he could face former world champions Tomasz Gollob and Nicki Pedersen in the main event later this year.

“After I was [left] out of the Under-21 World Cup, I was a little down; I felt I could have done well,” he said, “but I was called by [national coach] Anders Secher and told I was selected for the semi-final in Slovenia. I was surprised; I did not see that one coming.”

Thomsen was one of four Tigers to crash in Sunday’s home win against Peterborough Panthers but his ankle has recovered and he will be on a newlytuned engine against Redcar.