LEICESTER Lion Cubs kick off a frantic weekend of WSRA National Development League racing when they make the trip to the ECCO Arena to face Middlesbrough on Saturday (3pm).
The Lion Cubs have only raced once so far this season, starting their league title defence with an impressive win at Belle Vue on Good Friday.
However, this is a pivotal weekend as the visit to the North-East is quickly followed by a home and away double against Oxford Chargers on Sunday, with the clash at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park getting underway at midday.
After being forced into changes in Manchester for their opener, Lion Cubs had been expecting to track a full-strength side, but unfortunately Eli Meadows is ruled out.
Meadows suffered a knock to the head when he crashed at Plymouth on Tuesday when racing for Birmingham Bulls, and he will not be fit to take his place.
Leicester will therefore bring in Harry Fletcher, who put in a determined display when he stood in for the Fox Cubs at King’s Lynn on Wednesday, to guest at No.2.
Middlesbrough, who include familiar faces in Ace and Stene Pijper along with former Lion Cubs rider Tom Spencer, have won one and lost one at home so far this season.
Lion Cubs manager Jen Crossland said: “We were looking forward to having the full team together for the first time this weekend, but then we had the news of Eli’s injury and we wish him well.
“Harry Fletcher rode so well for us on Wednesday and put in so much effort, so we had no hesitation in giving him the opportunity.
“We’re looking forward to the meeting and hopefully we can go there and pick up another away win, but we know Middlesbrough won’t make it easy.”
Supporters making the trip should note that track action gets underway at 2pm with a round of the British Youth Championship at 125cc level, and several riders involved in the NDL match will then be in the 500cc Youth round afterwards.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Ace Pijper, Jamie Halder, Kai Ward, Tom Spencer, Danny Phillips, Stene Pijper, Ben Rathbone.
LEICESTER: Ben Trigger, Harry Fletcher, Max Perry, Sonny Springer, Max James, Ryan Ingram, Cooper Rushen.
