LEICESTER open their 2026 season with a big Easter Monday double against Belle Vue as they look to defend the Premiership KO Cup.
The Watling JCB Lions head to Manchester for a midday start before welcoming the Aces to the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park for the return fixture at 7.30pm.
This season the initial stage of the KO Cup is run on a group format as there are six teams in the Premiership, and the Northern section sees the Lions go up against Belle Vue and Sheffield.
Only the group winners reach the Final but the good news for Leicester is that last week’s clashes between the Aces and the Tigers resulted in a home win apiece.
It’s Sheffield who hold the early advantage as they took the aggregate point, meaning Belle Vue will be fired up to hit back on Monday which will be their final fixtures in the section.
The Aces do, though, have to make two changes to their regular line-up, as they will be without skipper Brady Kurtz and German racer Norick Blodorn.
Kurtz missed the trip to Sheffield last Thursday due to illness, which puts him out for a mandatory eight days, whilst Blodorn was signed out for nine days after crashing at home to the Tigers last Monday.
Aces boss Mark Lemon has called in strong replacements with GB and Ipswich star Tom Brennan replacing Kurtz at No.1, whilst Danish rider Jonas Jeppesen comes in for Blodorn and could prove an astute booking given his form at the Hydroscand Arena when racing for Birmingham last year.
The Lions’ line-up for the first matches of the season sees Ryan Douglas take over the No.1 position, paired with Dan Thompson, whilst Nick Morris and Kyle Howarth team up in the middle order and Sam Masters remains at No.5. Drew Kemp and Joe Thompson start at reserve, the latter standing in for the injured Dan Gilkes.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “The first target for Monday is the aggregate point, and as far as the home meeting is concerned I’ve always said you want to win the first home match at any cost.
“With this being a small section, I do think it’s imperative that we try to take aggregate point off both opposing teams.
“The results last week were okay for us, because if Sheffield had won at Belle Vue or vice versa, then it really would have put that team in the driving seat straight away.
“It’s now all in our own hands with four matches to race, and we’ll be looking for a good positive day to start the season.”
Lions fans not making the trip to Manchester should note the away meeting will be live streamed on BVTV, with passes available from https://www.bvtv.live/ .
BELLE VUE: Tom Brennan, Jonas Jeppesen, Peter Kildemand, Zach Cook, Dan Bewley, Tate Zischke, William Cairns.
LEICESTER: Ryan Douglas, Dan Thompson, Nick Morris, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
