THE THOMAS JONASSON SITUATION

NEWS Monday 7th July 2008, 4:30pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

The Scotwaste Monarchs' promotion have now heard an explanation from Thomas Jonasson for his appearance for his Polish club Stal Gorzow on Sunday.

The Promotion and supporters were unhappy to find that Thomas had ridden in Poland on Sunday having been unfit to ride for Monarchs on Friday and Saturday.

However following communication with the rider the club accepts that he has been put under considerable pressure, and forced to ride in Poland against medical advice he has received in BOTH Sweden and Poland.

Thomas is definitely not fully fit yet and it is not currently envisaged that he will ride for his main Swedish club Elit Vetlanda on Tuesday. Their website gives the reason as ?concussion?. He will ride if fit for Valsarna in the Allsvenskan League on Thursday but they have given him permission to pull out at short notice if he doesn't feel ready.

Thomas is determined to be lining up for Edinburgh on Friday though the club would never expect a rider to race when not fit to do so.

Monarchs' captain Derek Sneddon has been informed of the full details of Thomas's Polish experience and said ?I certainly don't question his loyalty to us, I think he really enjoys being part of the team. I can understand the frustration of the fans who haven't seen him ride much but I don't doubt his commitment to Edinburgh?.