Edinburgh Monarchs announced that beleaguered second string Justin Elkins would stay on despite his disastrous run of engine failures that have dogged his season. He has looked sharp out of the gate and ridden well but his points contribution has been curtailed by a seeming inablity to keep his bike running for four laps. Most were not straightforward engine failures but niggling ignition problems that caused the bike to slow down but not stop and then pick up when the rest of the field were way ahead.
Monarchs chairman, Alex Harkess, said that the club would try to solve his mechanical problems:
"We must try and get him some decent machinery to do the job. It's not as if he's not trying to put things right. He spent £600 on a new part but to no avail. I don't think there is much of the bike left that has not been changed. However it's infuriating when it's the same fault all the time."
"It's disheartening to have non-finishers. Everyone has engine failures, but when you get three on the trot in the same match it wears a bit thin. But I am sure Justin feels just as bad as we do about it."
The ignition problems on Saturday turned out to due be the £600 magic eye. Elkins returned it to the suppliers on Monday and it was found to be faulty. This fault apparently occurs in 3% of units supplied. When you are down, tat's the sort of luck you get. Justin was due to take his bike with the replacement 'magic eye' to Swindon on Thursday to give it a try out prior to the match on Friday at Armadale.
James Grieves was also critical of his riding partner who was blamed for Monarchs failing to get a bigger lead in the Cup Final against Arena Essex:
"We dropped some really silly points from the number 2 position. Justin had so many engine problems. He's been out for three weeks and he still can't get his bike right. This is the type of thing that can win or lose matches. We need to get a strong number 2 who can score points for the second leg."
However Monarchs cannot change their line-up at this stage since the deadline has now passed. The only possibility will be the return of Stewart McDonald should he make an unexpectedly quick recovery from injury or reverting to rider replacement.
Brian Turner is now confirmed as being out for the season after the failure of his attempted comeback on Saturday. Monarchs intend to use St. Austell rider Gary Phelps in the number 6 position. Gary did well for Monarchs last week at Newport and Reading and did even better for Newcastle at the Isle of Wight. Alex Harkess added:
"You are permitted to use a Conference League rider to replace a reserve in the Premier League without any hassle. Provided Gary is agreeable, we will use him until the end of the season. He's already done a reasonable job for us at Reading and Newport."
Monarchs will face a tough examination by Exeter over the next few days particularly in the away leg next Monday.