Bears complete as Allen flies in
Jake Allen has become the 7th and final member of the Redcar Agilia Bears side for 2021. The Bears’ promotion had been on the lookout for a final heat leader since January, after German star Erik Riss had informed them that he was sitting out the British Speedway season due to concerns relating to Covid 19, only for him to change his mind weeks later. In a bizarre twist of fate, the Bears have now benefitted from an almost identical situation; Allen was initially lined up to race for the Scunthorpe Scorpions this season, but like Riss, had also opted out of racing in 2021 due to Covid related concerns around about the same time. The Australian however, had a change of heart at the last minute and was equally fortunate that Redcar were able to accommodate him, with a deal being finalised over the weekend.
Promoter Jitendra Duffill explained, “When we heard that Jake was having second thoughts about coming back over to the UK, we jumped at the chance to offer him a team place. We are very fortunate that a rider of his calibre has become available, but we always felt that playing a waiting game was our best option and it has proved to be the correct decision. It’s about time we had a little luck after a turbulent winter for the club and it’s both a relief and exciting that our side is now complete.”
Allen completes a strong looking septet for the Bears, with a total average that comes in 0.30 points under the maximum allowed of 39.00. The Australian spent 2019 racing in the Championship League for Scunthorpe, as well as helping to take Premiership side Ipswich to the Premiership Play Off finals, where they finished as runners-up. He enters the Bears squad on a 7.26 average and completes a powerful heat leader trio, alongside 2019 British Champion Charles Wright and Dane Michael Palm Toft.
Duffill added, “I know that our supporters will be both relieved and thrilled that Jake will be lining up for us in 2021. He is a very exciting rider to watch and is more than capable of adding to his starting average. There will be no lack of entertainment at the Media Prima Arena this year and I firmly believe that we now have one of the strongest starting line ups that we have ever managed to put together. After months of frustration, I can finally concentrate on getting the club back to the tapes at the end of this month and finalise everything else that is needed behind the scenes. For the first time in a long while, I’m starting to get excited about the season starting!”
All 7 riders will take to the Media Prima Arena’s circuit together for the first time on Saturday 15th May, when the club will hold its Press & Practice Day at 2pm. Unfortunately, the session is not open to spectators and must be held behind closed doors due to Government Covid 19 restrictions.