Bonanza field completed
Latest News Wednesday 15th March 2023, 9:00am
The field for the Ben Fund Bonanza on Saturday 25th March at King's Lynn (5pm) has been completed, subject to one remaining confirmation, with the addition of Sweden's Jacob Thorssell, England's Paul Starke, Aussie Justin Sedgmen and (subject to final confirmation) Poland's Krzysztof Kasprzak.
Thorssell, for so long (8 seasons) a Wolverhampton stalwart, is very pleased to be making his Bonanza debut. "It is my first time, yes," he said "but they helped me massively when I did my back, that was in 2017. I really appreciate what they did for me so it is the least I can do to ride in the meeting. I'm looking forward to it.
"I know King's Lynn well of course and I have been not too bad there over the years I have been in the UK."
This year Jacob rides for Vastervik in his home country and for Rzeszow in Poland, two new clubs for him. Is there a prospect of a full-time return to these shores?
"I'd like to," he admitted, "but the biggest problem is that there are not any convenient flights back to Sweden on a Tuesday. That's the biggest reason I am not riding there and I am missing all my friends."
Paul Starke will be competing in his fourth successive Bonanza (best score so far 8 at Leicester in 2019). As with many of the riders who are inclined to make the effort, he has nothing but praise for the SRBF.
"It's something it's great to be part of, for a great cause, they do amazing things for the riders. We've all been victims of injuries and crashes, and they've always been there to help us out. It's great to try to give something back to them. I'm more than happy to be there for them.
"Last year for me was full of crashes and injury, but nothing major. But I do understand how riders feel when they get injured, when they have big ones and bad ones. The Ben Fund have helped me in the past, I broke both my wrists live on BT Sport a few years back and they helped me then, it was a big help."
Paul lines up just for Plymouth so far this year, having not enjoyed the best of fortunes in 2022. "It's a small track, it's a tricky track, I rode there quite some time ago. It's a challenge I'm looking forward to. I'm back with one of my old team managers Garry May. I was associated with and had a lot of success with Gazza at Somerset. It's a good choice, I know Mark and everyone involved there.
"The travelling was quite something last year for me, and with injuries and continuing to ride, it cost me money in the end. I'll look for a Premiership place when I'm fit and ready for it and when the opportunity is right for me, but right now I will focus on the task at Plymouth."
The first meeting in the UK this season is of course the Stuart Robson Testimonial on Sunday 19th at Redcar, and that will be preceded by a 24 hour bike ride (believe it or not) in aid of the SRBF. This has the full backing of Stuart himself and of the bikers taking part, both Gavin Parr and Jamie Swales are aiming to do the full 24 hours! Hopefully they will be in a fit state to watch Robbo's meeting thereafter.
"It's a great gesture by everyone concerned and we thank them," said SRBF Chairman Paul Ackroyd.
FIELD FOR THE BONANZA: Freddie Lindgren, Simon Lambert, Danny King, Connor Mountain, Lewis Kerr, Michael Palm Toft, Steve Worrall, Charles Wright, Tom Brennan, Kyle Howarth, Richie Worrall, Ben Barker, Jacob Thorssell, Paul Starke, Justin Sedgmen, Krzysztof Kasprzak.
