SEDGY IS BACK

NEWS Friday 28th November 2014, 5:59pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Scotwaste Monarchs’ star Justin Sedgmen, one of the big successes of the 2014 campaign, is the first rider to be announced for the 2015 lineup at Armadale.

In fact the popular Aussie specially requested to be the first man announced! He said “I’m happy to be back, obviously I wanted to get signed up before I went home but that didn’t happen. To be the first one signed is a pretty cool feeling and I’m excited to get back into it for next year.”

He is planning an early return to the UK. “Most riders like to stay home as long as they can but I actually want to get back over and start getting everything ready, and have another good season.”

Justin was originally signed on a 4.99 average which he seemed capable of improving, and he certainly did that, finishing on 6.99 with the league’s biggest haul of bonus points on top of that.

“I hope I can improve again next season, that’s always the plan. Improve on where you’ve been and make sure you are going in the right direction.

“To improve on what we did as a team last season would be a big ask but if we got half the amount of trophies that would still be a great season. I personally want to be one of the top guys in the team, one that people rely on, and be a hero as they say!

“The last couple of experiences I had had in British Speedway hadn’t been that good, and to be in a successful team helped, as well as being involved in a good club.

“If I can hold my average or raise it up a little bit, and be one of the top guys in the Premier League next year, that’s what I will be setting out to achieve. I’d like to be in the important meetings like the Pairs and Fours, and the PLRC, as well as making heat 15 all the time. I want to step it up because that’s what you’ve got to do!

“I’ll probably be using the same bikes but I am in the process of buying a couple of new engines, I’ve already bought one. There’s a couple more months to think about it. There was nothing wrong with my equipment last year but it’s another area you can improve on.”

Sedgmen has already tasted success back him by winning the Jason Lyons Trophy, and he has an important meeting this weekend.

“The Victorian titles are on this weekend which myself, Sam and Max are all riding in. I’ve won this event before, in 2012, and obviously I want to win it again. It’s at Shepparton and I finished third in the Aussie titles there.”

He’s been focussing on racing since he returned to Australia, and will be hoping to be busier in Europe even though at the moment he can’t double up in the UK.

“I haven’t worked since I got back because my sponsor over here bought me a couple of new bikes, so I’ve been putting them together as well as trying to practise. Probably next week I’ll go and do a bit but I’m not bored yet!

“I’ll probably try to get back to Britain half way through February. I can’t double up apparently so I will have to do something, open meetings in Germany or something to try to earn some money.”

Monarchs' fans will be happy to see the team announcements starting, and what better way than with the man who scored a paid maximum in the Championship Final second leg!