Lewis Bridger of Lakeside Hammers goes past part of the track that had to be sectioned off during practice (Rob Newell/TGSPHOTO)

Challenge match cancelled

Lakeside Hammers will start their 2013 Elite League season on Good Friday (March 29) after deciding to cancel their challenge match against Peterborough tonight (Friday).

Hammers staged a training session yesterday (Thursday) but large parts of the inside of the track were unable to be ridden on and a temporary white line was used.

As a result the club decided, in the face of further forecasts of poor weather and near freezing temperatures, to cancel this evening’s action and hope that spring raises its head in time for the start of the Elite League season next week.

The session itself saw all of the Hammers team take to the track, except new signing Richard Lawson, as well as Peterborough counterparts Linus Sundstrom, Kenni Larsen and Kenneth Bjerre, who all rode on their own due to conditions.

Hammers co-promoter Jon Cook said: “In the current weather situation it was a useful workout even though we couldn’t utilise all of the track.

“It was also day one for our new training partner Russell Paine and well done to him and his helpers for a superbly organised day for the 30-plus trainees.

“We look forward to their next visit when we hope conditions and temperatures are improved.

“It’s a huge shame for us and all clubs to be encountering this current spell of weather but it’s something we can’t control and rider safety and the comfort of fans is our priority.

“We are now planning a further training session for most of the team next Thursday evening from 7pm and fans will be most welcome to attend.”