Lynn Stars stalwarts keen to end season with silverware
The King’s Lynn Stars speedway team are desperate to make up for last week’s play-off final disappointment and lift some cup silverware.
Lynn head West Country way to Somerset Rebels tomorrow in the Knockout Cup final first leg, with the return 24 hours later at the Adrian Flux Arena on Thursday.
Heat leader Niels-Kristian Iversen, who missed the 92-88 aggregate SGB Premiership league title play-off defeat last week against Poole Pirates, is back to face the Rebels.
The Dane, who said it was the right decision to exclude him from the Poole meetings following his crash in Poland, said that Lynn would be even more determined to lift their third-ever top-flight league cup: “I think everybody is more keen.
“Maybe the fire wouldn’t have been as big for next week but now I think it’s really pumped up to do the meeting next week.
“But again some would say Somerset feel the same because they missed out on the last corner (of the play-off semi-final), so they’ll be hungry too.
“So it is going to be a good couple of meetings. I want to be there. I want to ride, to do what I can to turn this disappointment around. I’m pretty sure everybody feels the same way.”
Of watching the Pirates clashes from the pits, Iversen said: “To stand and watch, it sucks. Congratulations to Poole. The season has been a success for the club. We have some great riders.”
Skipper Robert Lambert admits there’d be no better way to cap off an unforgettable year than by having some silverware to show for their efforts.
Despite topping the top-flight standings for the first time in the club’s history this year, the Norfolk outfit were forced to settle for silver medals as they were pipped to league glory by Poole in last week’s Grand Final.
But Lambert insists it’s been a year to be proud of for the Stars and says he and his team-mates are up for the cup.
“This is the best season the Stars have ever had – especially since I first joined the club,” he said.
“Obviously we’re all gutted not to win the league in the end, but I guess you have to look at the positives – and for me there are still plenty.
“We’ve still got the Knockout Cup to play for though and we need to give it everything we’ve got to try and make sure we get the trophy so that we’ve got something to show for what has been a much better year for the Stars and it’s the least we deserve.”
Reserve rider Simon Lambert said a trophy will be no less than the club deserves.
Lambert said: “It’ll be quite a busy weekend for me (the Peterborough skipper was last weekend also involved in the Championship play-offs second leg versus Lakeside), and hopefully a two-point deficit to turn around.
“And then we go to Somerset, make it as tight as we can and come back here and try to lift the trophy.
"From Dale’s (team manager Allitt), Robin’s, Buster’s (co-promoters Brundle and Chapman) and all the boys’ point of view, they deserve one. We’ve got to go there, keep it tight and see how we get on.”
Lambert said the return of Iversen will be a big boost: “Yes, of course. No disrespect to Adam (guest Ellis) – he only managed to score three points tonight and Niels is always good for six or seven.”
The Stars have booked Finnish ace Tero Aarnio to race at reserve in both legs of the Knockout Cup Final.
Aarnio steps in for the injured Michael Palm Toft for both legs of the final.
Aarnio has plenty of experience in British racing and readily accepted the invitation to help out the club.
Team boss Allitt said: “Tero showed a great attitude when we asked him and we have every confidence he will give it his all in King’s Lynn colours.
“When you are booking a rider to cover for injuries you never quite know what response you’ll get until they get out there on the bike but we’re pretty confident with Tero.”
Allitt added: “It’s taken a few days to recover from the disappointment of last week. It was hard to take on a personal basis.”
