FRICKE TO SKIPPER LIONS

LEICESTER have confirmed Australian star Max Fricke has been appointed team captain ahead of the new Sports Insure Premiership campaign.

Fricke took over the role when the club made team changes last summer, and he will continue as skipper for their 2024 challenge which starts at home to Belle Vue on March 14.

New signing Sam Masters, who previously led Wolverhampton, has been named as vice-captain.

Manager Stewart Dickson said: “I enjoyed working with Max last season. The way he goes about his business is a good example to everyone, and I was very pleased he accepted the offer to continue as captain.

“After last year I know a lot more of the Premiership riders, Grand Prix riders and so on, you start to forge new relationships and everything that Max did impressed me.

“I mentioned earlier in the winter how pleased we are to have Sam on board with us, especially with how well he’s always gone at Leicester, and for me it’s a logical move to make him vice-captain in a team where he knows most of the riders very well.”