Two former Workington Comets riders have signed for new clubs ahead of the 2023 season.
Birmingham have added experienced racer James Wright to their line-up – for a second spell with the club while Edinburgh have added youngster Kyle Bickley to their line-up.
Wright rode six meetings for the Brummies in the old Elite League as a doubling-up rider back in 2011, but it was his guest appearances at Perry Barr in the latter stages of this year that impressed club bosses.
He scored 12 and 7+2 in Challenge matches against Coventry and Cradley, having completed the Championship season with Scunthorpe after the closure of Newcastle.
Birmingham boss Laurence Rogers said: “James’ two appearances in our Challenge meetings were very impressive.
“He had some really good outings beating the likes of Bomber (Chris Harris), Hans Andersen, Tom Brennan a couple of times and he showed he’s still got a liking for Perry Barr.
“I feel he’s worth more than the 5.51 average he’s coming in on at this level, and we feel he can do a solid job in the engine room of the side if you like, because he does have a lot of ability.”
Wright, 36, rode five seasons for Workington including in 2011 when he doubled-up with Birmingham.
Edinburgh are backing Kyle Bickley to bounce back from a tough 2022 season.
Bickley, 20, lost his place with Berwick and saw his average dip below the three-point mark – but he has a good record at Armadale since entering the Championship and believes he can put this year behind him.
He said: “I am really looking forward to joining the Monarchs. I have spoken to the club in the past, I think at the end of 2019/beginning of 2020, but unfortunately at the time it didn’t pan out and I went to Berwick, but I think now it is a good time for me and a good time for Edinburgh to bring me on board.
“I am happy and, for the rider I know I can be, I think my average is a steal. I have had a bit of time to kind of reset myself, get back to basics, start afresh with no pressure and I know what I can do. I am looking forward to going out there and doing my job.
“I have always liked Armadale – maybe in the past it was prepared as a home track and it wasn’t the easiest as an away rider, but it is a track I enjoy, especially the last few years.
“Now it will be my home track I can really get used to it and score the seven and eight points a week I am aiming for.”
Workington-based Bickley rode for the Comets in their triumphant, but final season, of 2018.
