Kye Thomson Ready for 2023

NEWS Wednesday 14th December 2022, 7:00am

by Graham Muncie

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Edinburgh Monarchs can reveal that the fourth rider looking to take the team to glory in 2023 is another returning star - Kye Thomson!

Thomson returns for his third year with the Monarchs and the Queensland-born racer says he is delighted to be back.

"It is the only place I wanted to be really, I think of Edinburgh as my second home now. I have great support there on and off the track and I love it.

"It is great knowing that everything is in place, it makes it so much easier knowing I can basically step off the plane right back into it without needing to worry about anything. I have my mechanics, a place to stay and I know most of the boys in the team, so it makes it so much easier to focus on racing."

Thomson has improved pretty much since he first took to the shale in the UK and finished last season on an average just shy of 7 points - a figure he will look to move upwards once again in 2023.

"I feel like I stepped up again last season and next year I want to do that again, especially from the middle of last season I felt like it was all clicking and this year I want to take on even more responsibility. It is my 3rd season now, so I am experienced and especially with Sam going I feel like it is time to step up even more and that is my plan."

If that progression continues as planned, then the next logical step is a Premiership place and that is something Thomson has targeted at some point in the not to distant future as well.

"I had to turn down some opportunities last year due to my visa which was a shame but that needed renewed this year so that isn't a problem anymore so hopefully the chance will come again. My only focus just now is on the Monarchs though as I know if I perform like I want to then it'll happen."

As with most Aussies at this time of the speedway year thoughts are on a domestic summer season. While Kye hasn't yet taken to the shale back home, he has been enjoying being home and working a day job. Kye does have plans for a few run outs before heading back to Scotland in March.

"I had thought about the Aussie titles as those are big meetings, but it was a bit of a write off due to the costs involved. I would have run at a loss, and it wasn't affordable really. I do have Darcy Ward's Masters series coming up and there are some good guys in that I think like Nick Morris, Ryan Douglas and Adam Ellis so that will be a good challenge.

"Then Darcy also has a big individual in Queensland in January that will have all the top guys from over here in it, so I am hoping to do that as well. Apart from that I am happy just chilling and working a bit to save some money before coming back over."

While reasonably well versed on the Scottish climate now, one thing Kye is definitely hoping for when he returns to these shores in March is an uptick in the temperature. When told of the current -10c cold snap it reaffirmed his happiness at being back home in sunnier conditions.

"-10? That is far out! That's not fun at all, I'll stick with my Aussie summer!"

Well while we can't guarantee the weather but one thing is for sure, we know Thomson will receive a warm welcome from the Monarchs faithful when the bikes roar back into action at Armadale Stadium in the spring.

2023 Monarchs: Josh Pickering, Kyle Bickley, Jacob Hook, Kye Thomson.