LIONS RECRUIT GB YOUNG GUN KEMP

Great Britain Under-21 star Drew Kemp is back in the Sport Insure Premiership after signing for Leicester.

One of the country’s most promising junior riders, Kemp surprisingly started 2023 without a club in any of the British leagues, but he was recently snapped up by Scunthorpe in the Cab Direct Championship.

Now he’s doubling up in both of the top leagues after replacing local rider Dan Thompson in the Lions side as the club’s Rising Star.

Kemp impressed as a guest with a seven paid eight-point haul against Ipswich at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena last Thursday and makes his full-time debut at home to Belle Vue this Thursday.

While club boss Stewart Dickson admits it was a tough call to drop long-time club prospect Thompson from their Premiership side, he admits the chance to recruit the triple British Under-19 champion was one he could not turn down.

He said: “Firstly I’d like to thank Dan for his contribution so far this season. But it’s my job as team manager to provide the supporters with the best team possible, and I do think this change makes us stronger.

“I have a responsibility to the owners and the supporters to do that, and whilst everyone saw how well Drew rode last Thursday, I also think it could help us on the away tracks.

“I know it’s really tough on Dan and maybe not everyone will agree, but sometimes in this sport you have to make tough decisions and that’s what I’ve done here.”

Kemp will be among the favourites to line up for GB at the FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 event in Latvian capital Riga on August 11.