The Leicester Lions have confirmed a serious increase forward of the 2026 marketing campaign with the return of Australian star Sam Masters, who may even step into the function of membership captain.
The 34-year-old has change into a key determine on the Hydroscand Enviornment, Beaumont Park since becoming a member of the Watling JCB Lions forward of the 2024 season. Beforehand greatest recognized for his lengthy affiliation with Wolverhampton previous to the closure of Monmore Inexperienced, Masters first rode for Leicester again in 2015 as a doubling-up rider.
After switching to the Lions full-time, Masters shortly established himself as a pacesetter inside the workforce, serving as vice-captain to Max Fricke as Leicester loved a vastly profitable spell. Over the previous two seasons, the Lions reached two Premiership Grand Finals and lifted the KO Cup, underlining their standing as one of many sport’s main sides.
Masters returns for 2026 on a mean of seven.28, following a constant marketing campaign which included a formidable residence document. He scored double figures on eight events in league motion at Beaumont Park, taking part in a central function in Leicester’s title challenges.
Talking about his determination to stay with the membership, Masters stated he felt settled and desperate to proceed constructing on current success.
“I don’t like switching golf equipment an excessive amount of, I really feel fairly settled and while you really feel like that there’s no level in leaving!” Masters instructed the Leicester Speedway web site.
Reflecting on the near-misses within the Premiership, he added:
“I’ve loved the final two years at Leicester, and though two second locations is tough to take, on the identical time it’s proven how profitable we’ve been. There have been loads of different groups under us in these two seasons!” (Leicester Speedway web site)
Masters additionally spoke warmly in regards to the welcome he has obtained since arriving at Beaumont Park.
“Once you’re successful, like we have now been, it’s been enjoyable, and though it was at all times going to be arduous to go away Wolves after so lengthy, Stewart (Dickson) and everybody on the membership have made me really feel greater than welcome and I’m grateful that they need me to remain,” he stated through the Leicester Speedway web site.
With Fricke unable to be accommodated within the 2026 line-up, Masters acknowledged the problem of getting into the captaincy function.
“It’s unlucky that they couldn’t match Max in as a result of we had a whole lot of good team-rides and we had been a reasonably good pairing in Heats 13 and 15, so we’ll miss him, plus he was a superb captain,” Masters defined.
“It’s massive boots for me to fill as captain, but it surely’s one thing I’ve achieved earlier than and I can solely do my greatest and I’m already wanting ahead to it.” (Leicester Speedway web site)
At the moment again in Australia, Masters is already targeted on preparations for the brand new season.
“I’m again residence in the intervening time seeking to put together and get as match as I can prepared for one more massive season, and it was good to listen to that the league itself is underneath management and we are able to look ahead to subsequent 12 months,” he added, talking to the Leicester Speedway web site.
Masters turns into Leicester’s second confirmed signing for 2026, following the return of Dan Thompson from Ipswich, with additional workforce information anticipated to be introduced within the coming weeks.
Characteristic Picture courtesy of British Speedway
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