We’ll Push the Eagles, says Scott Nicholls

SUNDAY: May 5, Arlington Stadium, 3.30pm

Eastbourne Fineprint Eagles v Leicester Lions

One of British Speedway’s biggest names, Scott Nicholls, will be at Arlington Stadium on Sunday (May 5) with the Leicester Lions in Championship league action. The East Midlands club’s No 1, who is also a Grand Prix TV pundit, tells this website that the match is set to be a big battle. 

Sussex-based ace Scott Nicholls will be aiming to put one over his home-county club this weekend.

Scott, a record-breaking seven times British champion, will only have a drive of about 20 miles to represent the Leicester Lions against the Eastbourne Fineprint Eagles at Arlington Stadium on Sunday, May 5.

Scott and his family moved to Brighton about 18 months ago, so the match represents very much a ‘home’ fixture for him.

In contrast, he will have a drive of around 160 miles to get to Leicester for the Lions v Eagles fixture at Beaumont  Park the night before (Saturday, May 4).

Scott is a former Eagle and believes his Lions are a threat to any team, home and away, after a blistering start to the 2019 campaign.

Eastbourne had built a “good looking team” for their return to professional speedway which was solid throughout, he said, and would be especially strong at home – “like every Eastbourne team has been over the years”. 

He added: “Eddie [Edward Kennett] will be a home track specialist and he has some good backing.  If he and the others can perform the same away from home they will be tough to beat.”

Leicester are very much the “form” team of the Championship at the moment and Scott said the Lions were riding well everywhere.

He believes they will give the Eagles a “run for their money” at Arlington.

“The thing going against us is that a lot of our team will have little or no experience around there. 

“However, if we can get off to a good start and get dialled in early we can push them for the win. We have a team who can turn the bike which is crucial at Eastbourne,” he said.

Scott is loving Sussex life . “We love living down here and wish we’d moved sooner. It’s a really cool place to live with so much going on, especially for our daughter growing up (she’ll be 12 on May 4) with the buzz of the city combined with the beautiful surrounding countryside. It’s perfect.”

Tomorrow: More from our exclusive interview with Scott Nicholls.

Image: Scott in action for The Eagles. Credit Mike Hinves