Post by admin on Feb 9, 2021 21:24:02 GMT
Wolves boss Chris van Straaten admits international travel concerns prompted the club to release Swedish star Jacob Thorssell.
The double Swedish champion signed for the Monmore Green side in 2012 and has been ever-present in Wolves colours since.
Having agreed terms for the cancelled 2020 season, Thorssell was ready to return this year. But with the Black Country outfit forced to re-jig the team due to British Speedway Promoters Ltd rule changes, which saw the introduction of a home-grown Rising Star at reserve, the 27-year-old will be the rider to make way.
With his other six stars all based in the UK, Van Straaten feared Thorssell’s continental commute could have made life tougher at a time of heightened travel restrictions.
He said: “It was always going to be a difficult one because we were the only Premiership side with a fully committed one-to-seven who had agreed to ride in 2020. Every other club was going to have to make at least one change anyway it seemed and that’s what makes it more disappointing from our point of view.
“Whilst still not easy, our decision was kind of made for us in the end. Our other six riders will be based here in the UK once the season is up and running, whereas Jacob would be based back home in Sweden and commuting in and out of the country constantly.
“Both Jacob as an individual and myself as a promoter of Wolverhampton Speedway were very concerned with the current travel problems that exist in the world right now.
“And even when the season does get underway in May, the virus will still be in the background and that could immediately disrupt travel without warning at any given point.
“So with my other six riders, as a club we are a lot more comfortable knowing they will be based in the UK and it kind of puts us in the driving seat. Jacob’s constant commuting would’ve been a major worry and a risk - and that’s why we both came to that decision.
“I must emphasise that Jacob hasn’t turned his back on British Speedway at all and I would certainly like to think that Jacob will be back racing for Wolverhampton at some point in the future.”
SGP 8/2/21
The double Swedish champion signed for the Monmore Green side in 2012 and has been ever-present in Wolves colours since.
Having agreed terms for the cancelled 2020 season, Thorssell was ready to return this year. But with the Black Country outfit forced to re-jig the team due to British Speedway Promoters Ltd rule changes, which saw the introduction of a home-grown Rising Star at reserve, the 27-year-old will be the rider to make way.
With his other six stars all based in the UK, Van Straaten feared Thorssell’s continental commute could have made life tougher at a time of heightened travel restrictions.
He said: “It was always going to be a difficult one because we were the only Premiership side with a fully committed one-to-seven who had agreed to ride in 2020. Every other club was going to have to make at least one change anyway it seemed and that’s what makes it more disappointing from our point of view.
“Whilst still not easy, our decision was kind of made for us in the end. Our other six riders will be based here in the UK once the season is up and running, whereas Jacob would be based back home in Sweden and commuting in and out of the country constantly.
“Both Jacob as an individual and myself as a promoter of Wolverhampton Speedway were very concerned with the current travel problems that exist in the world right now.
“And even when the season does get underway in May, the virus will still be in the background and that could immediately disrupt travel without warning at any given point.
“So with my other six riders, as a club we are a lot more comfortable knowing they will be based in the UK and it kind of puts us in the driving seat. Jacob’s constant commuting would’ve been a major worry and a risk - and that’s why we both came to that decision.
“I must emphasise that Jacob hasn’t turned his back on British Speedway at all and I would certainly like to think that Jacob will be back racing for Wolverhampton at some point in the future.”
SGP 8/2/21