FRICKE WARMS UP FOR AUSSIE TITLE DEFENCE BY COACHING NEXT GENERATION OF STARS

09/12/2022

FRICKE WARMS UP FOR AUSSIE TITLE DEFENCE BY COACHING NEXT GENERATION OF STARSFRICKE WARMS UP FOR AUSSIE TITLE DEFENCE BY COACHING NEXT GENERATION OF STARS

Speedway GP star Max Fricke joined FIM race director Phil Morris in coaching the next generation of Roos stars as he warms up for his Australian Championship defence at Gillman on Saturday.

Fricke, Morris and Aussie rider Zane Keleher teamed up at the Adelaide circuit to give a host of young Aussie riders some valuable pointers – both on the track and in the classroom.

The event was a joint initiative between the FIM, FIM Oceania and Motorcycling Australia, helping future stars from Down Under in their bid to make it on to the SGP3, SGP2 and ultimately the Speedway GP stage.

Fricke now turns his attention to defending his Australian Championship – nearly two years after he won the title for the second time in January 2020.

The 2021 competition was cancelled due to the pandemic and, with Covid-19 controls persisting into this year Down Under, the 2022 series scheduled for last January was scrapped in favour of a one-off event this Saturday.

Fricke goes into the meeting as red-hot favourite, bidding to win his third national title on the bounce in a meeting that does not feature the likes of his Speedway GP rivals Jason Doyle and Jack Holder, or 2012 world champion Chris Holder. But they all return for the 2023 championship series in January.

Saturday’s 2022 edition sees Fricke take on the likes of 2020 World Under-21 champion Jaimon Lidsey, Aussie Under-21 champion Keynan Rew, former Australian Championship runner-up Justin Sedgmen and new Wolverhampton signing Zach Cook.

Cook’s brother and Poole team mate Ben was also due to compete, but was forced out after his engines failed to arrive from the UK in time.

Aussie Under-21 Championship runner-up Tate Zischke and Rew’s FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 team mates James Pearson and Fraser Bowes are among the young guns bidding to shine.

2022 AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP LINE-UP (not in riding order): Fraser Bowes, Maurice Brown, Aden Clare, Zach Cook, Max Fricke, Zane Keleher, Jaimon Lidsey, Jack Morrison, James Pearson, Keynan Rew, Cooper Riordan, Justin Sedgmen, Jake Turner, Michael West, Dayle Wood, Tate Zischke. Reserves: Broc Hall, Tom Dixon.

Photo: Judy Mackay