BJARNE PEDERSENNationality: Danish. Born: Ryde, Denmark, July 12, 1978 Status: On loan from Poole. 2013 starting average: 7.35. Profile: The vastly experienced Danish international rejoins having helped Eagles to second place in the Elite League in 2011. He had a tough time on loan to Birmingham last season, when he was also a GP regular, but earnt high marks as a real team player during that first stint at Arlington. Is probably best known for his achievements at Poole, where he helped win the league and Knockout Cup three times apiece. Trevor Geer's pre-season verdict: To come. |
LUKAS DRYMLNationalty: Czech. Born: Pardubice, April 16, 1981 Status: On loan from Peterborough. 2013 starting average: 5.71. Profile: Best known as a big track specialist but has done well at Arlington during a loan stint which now enters its fifth season. Dryml quickly won over fans at Eastbourne after initially signing a six-week deal by Eagles in 2009. Has been troubled by injury and dips in form but is capable of beating the league's best on his day.Was world under-21 champion in 2002 and has won his national title as well as racing in the GP series. Trevor Geer's pre-season verdict: To come. |
CAMERON WOODWARDNationality: Australian. Born: Victoria, January 8, 1985 Status: Eastbourne asset. 2013 starting average: 5.80. Profile: Easy-going Aussie signed originally on loan from Edinburgh in 2006, then on a full transfer. Started life in the top flight as a reserve but gradually developed as a senior rider and took over the captaincy in 2010. Has also emerged as GP regular in the world of longtrack and is a key figure on and off the track for Eagles. Trevor Geer pre-season verdict: To come. |
TIMO LAHTINationality: Finnish. Born: Kouvola, Finland, July 16, 1992 Status: Eastbourne asset. 2013 starting average: 6.22. Profile: Voted unaimously by fans as their rider of the year last season after a stunning year which saw him emerge as a genuine heat-leader threat. Joined the club at Easter 2011 and endured a nightmare debut season, during which he could hardly score a point.However Eagles persisted with him and he repaid their faith with several double-digit scores last term which helped him to a CMA of 7.29 for the season. Is also Finiish individual national champion. Trevor Geer's pre-season verdict: To come. |
ADAM SHIELDSNationality: Australian. Born: Kurri-Kurri, NSW, Australia, February 8, 1977 Status: On loan from Lakeside. 2013 starting average: 6.32. Profile: The vastly experienced heat leader is back at Arlington for a second stint following a winter deal which saw Lewis Bridger head to Lakeside. Shields took a break for most of last season, which he started with Belle Vue, but he says he is now fresh, fit and hungry to get back into the Elite League action. Gained a reputation as a brave and combative rider during a three-year stint with Eagles before heading to Essex with boss Jon Cook at the end of the 2007 campaign. Trevor Geer's pre-season verdict: To come. |
SIMON GUSTAFSSONNationality: Swedish. Born: Skollersta, May 25, 1990 Status: Eastbourne asset. 2013 starting average: 6.44. Profile: Son of former World Cup star Henka but now an established Elite League racer in his own right. Has a super smooth style and has progressed gradually since joining the club at the end of the 2007 campaign. Had his first Eagles full maximum against Wolves at the start of the 2011 season yet still the feeling persists Gustafsson, now free of under-21 commitments, can improve as a rider and a consistent points-scorer.. Trevor Geer's pre-season verdict: To come.. |
DENIS GIZATULLINNationality: Russian. Born: Oktyabrsky, March 11, 1983 Status: Eastbourne asset. 2009 starting average: 4.48. Profile: Having previously tried (at length) and failed to bring in the Russian international, Eagles at last found a way through the red tape and got their man in time for last season on a two-year visa. Despite reservations about how we would adapt to the tight and technical Arlington track, Gizatullin hit the gound running with paid-eight from four rides on his home debut against Belle Vue. He managed a CMA of 6.20 in home meetings last year but will be expected to improve this season. Trevor Geer's pre-season verdict: To come. |
TREVOR GEER (manager)Nationalty: English. Born: Polegate Profile: Popular and vastly experienced team manager, who has filled the position in various stints over the years. His current tenure dates back to 2007 after Jon Cook's departure to Lakeside. Has been assisted by Glen Martin and Dean Barker. As a rider, Geer rode for his local Eastbourne club in ther 1970s as well as Reading, Oxford and White City. He is also a co-promoter at Eastbourne along with Bob Dugard and Mike Bellerby. |
