kevin Wolbert cannot wait to line up for Monarchs

Kevin Wolbert is 'so happy' to have re-signed with Edinburgh Monarchs who are bidding to win the Premier League championship for the third time in a row.
Kevin Wolbert increased his racing average last season. Pic: Ron MacNeillKevin Wolbert increased his racing average last season. Pic: Ron MacNeill
Kevin Wolbert increased his racing average last season. Pic: Ron MacNeill

And the German ace is “better prepared than ever” for the upcoming season.

Wolbert was an influential performer for Monarchs after adding two points to his average in 2015 and is enthusiastic about his own prospects for further success this year.

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He said: “Everything is almost ready for the start of the new season. My new engine is organised and there are other bits and pieces coming shortly. I still have a little work to do but I managed to get most of it done before Christmas. I will be coming over to Scotland with three bikes and I’m better prepared than ever.

“I have some sponsors who helped me out last season and they are working with me again which makes life a bit easier. In some previous years I have only had a couple of sponsors, and during the 2014 season I spent at Glasgow I only had one backer for the whole year!

“It wasn’t because I didn’t like Glasgow that I did badly for them. They think that, but the main reason was I had so little sponsorship. I hardly had any time to clean my bikes and sometimes I didn’t manage it at all because I had no money to pay a mechanic.

“After that, I nearly decided to give up speedway altogether.”

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Wolbert cheerfully admits that Monarchs’ decision to recall him to their side for the first time since he made his debut for them in 2010 has rekindled his enthusiasm for the sport.

“Being back at Edinburgh last season and getting another contract for this term makes me so happy, and all together that is good for me. I think the team can do well again. Ryan (Fisher) is back and I think he will be like me. When I was away from Edinburgh I did not enjoy the best of years but when I returned last season and started riding Armadale again, it felt so good. It doesn’t work for everyone, but hopefully Ryan will feel the same.”

And Wolbert revealed he has shrugged off the shoulder injury which dogged him during the Play-Off Grand Final against Glasgow Tigers.

He added: “I feel much better now and the shoulder feels fine. When I came back for the Play-Off Final I felt sore and the first leg at Glasgow was a bit difficult for me, but I had no problems for our home leg and of course we beat the Tigers and that felt amazing.”

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Meanwhile, Monarchs have confirmed they will open their Armadale season against Elite League side Belle Vue Aces on Saturday, April 2.

Following discussions with the Manchester outfit, they will travel north for the much-anticipated challenge fixture, opting for the Saturday evening date to avoid racing four meetings in four days.

Belle Vue will be without Grand Prix ace Mataj Zagar, but boast a strong top five including a trio of former Monarchs, Craig Cook, Max Fricke and Steve Worrall. Scott Nicholls and Richie Worrall complete their quintet.

It will be the new-look Monarchs first track outing of 2016 and, with last year’s skipper Cook on the opposing side, it will prove a big test for the home side.