PREVIEW: OXFORD v LEICESTER (NDL)
OXFORD hand a debut to recent signing Ryan Kinsley when they open their National Development League campaign at home to champions Leicester tonight (Wednesday).
Kinsley joined the Chargers after Nathan Stoneman was ruled out with shoulder trouble, whilst reserve Jacob Fellows is the other new face compared to their 2022 play-off qualifying squad.
The Lion Cubs are racing for the second time this year, having launched their title defence with a home win against Berwick over Easter.
Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “Home fixtures at this level don’t get much tougher and Leicester boast a team packed with talent.
“They’ve retained a lot of quality from last season, and having Ashton Boughen in the main body of the team could be a real scoop. He’s a rider I rate highly and ironically delivered a match-winning performance for us against Leicester as a guest last season.
“This meeting will be a good indicator of where we are and what goals we should set for the coming months. But the primary focus is to allow the boys to enjoy their racing and support one another in the pits.”
Leicester manager Dave Howard said: “Oxford have got a solid team from top to bottom, but as we did last year we’ll be looking to get as close as we can to put us in a good position for the home meeting.
“Dan and Joe (Thompson) have been racing in the other leagues and everybody else has been getting on track at various places to keep on the bike, so that’s been good.”
OXFORD: Jordan Jenkins, Jacob Clouting, Henry Atkins, Jody Scott, Ryan Kinsley, Luke Killeen, Jacob Fellows.
LEICESTER: Dan Thompson, Ashton Boughen, Max Perry, Tom Spencer, Joe Thompson, Vinnie Foord, Max James
