Kyle Bickley’s retirement gives Carlisle’s Mark Parker Edinburgh Monarchs chance

Kyle Bickley’s decision to retire has subsequently provided another Cumbrian with an opportunity with Edinburgh Monarchs Academy.

Mark Parker, 18, of Carlisle, a motocross rider until this season, will come into the side at reserve on a three point average.

The Monarchs Academy moved quickly to fill the gap in their team caused by the sudden retirement of Workington-based Bickley by bringing back to Armadale Max Clegg, a Monarch for four seasons 2015 to 2018.

He is regarded as something of an Armadale track specialist and will ride his first match on June 17 against Leicester Cubs at Armadale when Parker will also appear in Edinburgh colours for the first time.

Clegg has had an unlucky spell over the last couple of seasons and had no team place after dropping out of the Scunthorpe side recently – tough on a speedway-loving lad who at one time was active in all three British Leagues.

His current NDL average is 11.83 and to accommodate this in the team, Mickie Simpson makes way for the time being with Cumbrian newcomer Parker coming into the side.

Parker, a moto-cross rider since he was nine has been focusing on speedway this year and is actually a member of the Workington Meteors junior squad.

He has yet to ride for the Meteors, and in fact, will be riding for the Armadale Angels side against the Workington second string after the meeting on Saturday.

His grandfather Barry said: “Mark is among the leaders in motocross championships but is keen to get rides in speedway so he isn’t riding at Haverigg on Saturday to get a run-out at Northside.

“It isn’t a case of him having a point to prove because he hasn’t been selected by the Meteors yet, he’s not that kind of lad but he just wants more track time as he adjusts to speedway. It’s a learning curve for him and all about putting four laps together.

“He had a guest call-up for Oxford at Edinburgh at the start of the month which was good experience. He was gifted his two points and a bonus by falls but he’s learning all the time and is really just looking for track time.”

Clegg took the runners-up spot in the National League Riders Championship at Scunthorpe last season, after a run-off with Jason Edwards. This is the level the Monarchs Academy will be expecting as he replaces Bickley, forming a strong heat leader alongside Jacob Hook and former Comet Adam Roynon.

He admitted: “I hadn’t been looking to return to National League really but the main thing is that I can get back to enjoying my racing. I’m happy to be at Armadale again as I have spent quite a bit of my career there. I know the club and the track very well.

“I hope I will be able to pass some of my knowledge of the place on to the younger team members. I know most of them pretty well, they seem a great bunch of lads.”