LEICESTER are pleased to welcome back Dan Gilkes to take their Rising Star berth in the 2026 Premiership season.
The 23-year-old has been selected by the Watling JCB Lions as he prepares to return to racing after seeing his campaign wrecked by injury last year.
Gilkes joined the Lions in mid-April and started well by making solid contributions to away wins at Oxford and Birmingham, before comfortably qualifying for the British Final via the semi-final at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park.
But before he could make any further appearances in Lions colours he suffered a serious knee injury in what appeared an innocuous crash at Poole when racing for his Championship club Oxford.
Both Gilkes and the Lions held out hopes that he could return later in the summer, and he did practice at Leicester before taking the decision in August that he was not fit to race.
His plans have since been focused on a 2026 comeback, and this will be with the Lions in the Premiership and he has a Championship team place with Poole.
Lions manager Stewart Dickson said: “I was very keen for Dan to return after getting injured so early on last season.
“He deserves another crack at it, and hopefully he has an injury-free season in 2026.”
Gilkes joins Ryan Douglas, Sam Masters and Dan Thompson as confirmed starters for the Lions this season, and more team news will follow on Thursday.
