King's Lynn rider reveals that it was an easy decision to return to the Adrian Flux Arena

It was an easy decision to make by returning to King’s Lynn for his first full speedway season with the Stars, says Erik Riss.

The German ace top-scored with 12 points for the visitors by a street in Lynn’s first trip of the campaign to Ipswich on Thursday which ended in a big 59-31 loss in their Premiership Supporters’ Cup curtain-raiser.

And Riss has no regrets about committing to Lynn after the club bought out his full contract from Edinburgh.

“Yes, it was easy, it didn’t take me long,” said the 23-year-old about coming back to the Adrian Flux Arena.

“The club came up to me straight after the season which was probably a good thing. There was no other influence that went into my head; like no other club asked me before I agreed to this.

“When I agreed to King’s Lynn there were other clubs asking but I had already had my mind set on King’s Lynn.

“It didn’t take me long and the main reason was the track, because I really like it, but also because of the fans.

“I really enjoyed it here because you’re close to the fans and I felt really welcome.

“The fans always come up for a chat, even during meetings or after meetings.”

Riss made an immediate impact when arriving in 2018 and played a key role in Lynn reaching the play-off and KO Cup finals.

The heat leader said: “I came here mid-year. I had some good scores, especially at home. I never had below seven, I think. It was quite good, and it got better and better at the end, scoring double figures every week.

“That’s what I expect from myself. That’s where I want to start off this year.

“The main reason it didn’t take me long was the track. It suits me. It’s grippy but it’s a special track.

“In this league there’s no other track like it. It is an advantage at home because sometimes the away teams can struggle. I look forward to racing here, because I like winning.”

He reflected on last season’s so near, yet so far, campaign when Riss believes injury upset the mood of the one-to-seven: “It was quite frustrating because it was all effortless, easy-going,” he added.

“It was a good atmosphere inside the team. When we got into the finals, we got in trouble with Niels (Kristian Iversen) and Michael (Palm Toft) getting injured. That’s when it started to be more tense and that’s what cost us in the end.

“We were always really confident and easy-going but in the finals that mentality started to change a bit. That cost us the title, I think.”