Aussie duo sign on for Monarchs
Sedgmen and Pickering commit for 2019
Edinburgh Monarchs announced their first two signings for the 2019 season.
Double champion Justin Sedgmen returns to the Armadale Stadium for a second spell with the club, while fellow Aussie ace Josh Pickering signs on for a third season in West Lothian.
Sedgmen was part of the Edinburgh side during the superb 2014 and 2015 seasons that brought a pair of league titles and his partnership with Craig Cook during that time is rated as one of the best in the history of the club.
The 26- year- old also won the 2017 Scottish Open Championship at the Armadale Stadium and said he is thrilled to be back in West Lothian, where he increased his average from 4.99 to 7.84 during a brilliant two years in his last stint with the club.
Sedgmen commented: “I want to go back to Edinburgh and do a good job. Edinburgh needs to get the fun atmosphere back.
“Looking from the outside, it hasn’t seemed the same in the last three years as it was in 2014 ad 2015.
“Hopefully I can bring something to the table that helps bring that atmosphere back, and we can win some trophies.”
He added: “That was the thing in those two seasons, it was just fun, there was no pressure, we were just going out and having fun riding our bikes. We had great support from the fans at Edinburgh and it was the greatest two years of my racing career, I’d definitely say that.”
Pickering has shown steady improvement during his two years with the Monarchs, improving his average by 1.5 points last term.
Still only 22, the youngster is looking to take a further step forward in 2019 and targets a Premiership place alongside his commitments with the Monarchs and in Poland as he looks to get behind the wheel more often next season.
“I’ll be looking for more of the same and I plan to pick up where I left off last season,” said Pickering. “I’ve been very happy at Edinburgh with their fans, and I stay with good people and just enjoy myself.
“I know Justin Sedgmen of course though not all that well, but it will be good to have another Aussie in the team.”
He added: “I was happy with my machinery last year but as I’m signed up in Poland for next season I’ll be looking to build up more machinery. I’d definitely like to find a Premiership place. So far I’ve not heard from anyone in that league.
“I worked out that I’ve only done 98 meetings in the UK so far – and some riders do that every season.”