King’s Lynn Stars skipper Josh Pickering on Premiership opener at Wolverhampton and defeating 2017 speedway world champion Jason Doyle of Ipswich Witches
King’s Lynn on Monday begin their Premiership league campaign at Wolverhampton, whose Monmore track new Stars skipper Josh Pickering hopes to baptise with a win.
The Australian also expressed delight at guiding his side to the league cup final by beating visitors Ipswich 56-34 on Monday night – as well as defeating 2017 world champion Jason Doyle three times.
The paid-maximum man, already a fans' favourite after three winning meetings, revealed of Wolverhampton: "I've never rode there. It's a new track for me but I've been there quite a few times and watched.
"I live with Sam Masters (Wolves' ex-Lynn rider) and I get on with all the Wolverhampton boys and been there and I've helped him in the past.
"Again, I've seen how the track works and things like that. Finding a set-up that's going to work for me is another story, but it's something I'm going to have to look forward to on Monday night.
"Hopefully, obviously being the first TV match of the year it needs to be a good one so hopefully it'll be a good result for the team again."
He added of his all-action style: "I like to feel I'm a bit of an entertainer. I'm never in a boring race and that's a statement.
"I make the start, I usually finish there; if I don't make the start, I can sort of sometimes make my way through."
Pickering had the pleasure of taking the scalp of his boyhood idol and compatriot Doyle.
"I've known him since I was 11 years old. I knew Doyley before he was Doyley, if you know what I mean.
"To watch him continue the way he's gone throughout his career he's definitely someone who inspires me and someone to look up to.
"Doing him three times is a dream come true, really."
The New South Welshman is pleased than Lynn have already surpassed last season's win tally of two.
"We've done more in three matches than they have done all season so that's something to be proud of already. It's something to look forward to, the cup final.
"I'm just loving my time here."
• Eurosport will open their domestic coverage on Monday, May 2 – the first day of Premiership league racing this season – when they will be at Monmore Green for the Wolverhampton v King’s Lynn fixture.
Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “I’ve won nine league titles with three clubs, and I want this year to be the tenth, then I can move on to 11 and 12!
“At Wolverhampton we always enjoy hosting our broadcast partners and putting on a good show for the wider audience as well as our much-valued fans at the track.”
