By Henry Chard

New ‘Tru Plant’ Witches signing Eddie Kennett says he still believes he can beat the top riders after making the move to Ipswich last week.

Kennett replaced David Bellego in the Witches line-up and the 32-year-old says he is looking forward to being back in the Premiership and racing the bike more.

“I have been looking to get back into the top flight and I still believe I can do a good job in that league,” said Kennett. “I haven’t been riding so much in the last couple of years with just the one team, it is not enough bike time for me. I have had a full-time job too as the meetings have not been there.

“Now Ipswich has come about, and I will step away from work for a while and concentrate on getting more meetings. I am looking forward to it and I am enjoying riding my bike this year. I feel confident with everything that is going on.”

The Hastings-born rider has started the season well with Eastbourne in the Championship and says he believes he can take that form into the top division and beat the top riders.

“It is nice at Eastbourne, it has been good but there are just not enough meetings. I still believe in myself that I can go and beat top riders in the top flight and do a good job for Ipswich. It is a track that I enjoy racing on and I have had some good results there over the last few years when I have been there. It is a good team and a good bunch of lads who I have ridden with at previous clubs, so I know them all quite well. I have ridden with them all before which is nice.”

The two-times British Under-21 champion has been close to joining the Suffolk side in the past and he is pleased to finally become a permanent member of the side for the remainder of the season.

“It has always been down to averages and I have always had a bit of a high average to try and fit in. I have had a couple of guest bookings for Ipswich, but it is nice to finally know I have a team spot there working with Ritchie (Hawkins). I have known Ritchie a long time and to be working with Chris (Louis) will be great too.”

Kennett has always enjoyed racing at Foxhall as an opposition rider, scoring a paid maximum from five rides for Rye House back in 2016 and says he is looking forward to being part of the team.

“It has always been prepared well when I have been there, and it suits my style of riding which is nice, and I definitely enjoy riding it.

“They have had some good results and they are up there in the league. It is nice to know I am going to a team where I know all the lads, have ridden with them and get on with. That is a big help and it will be good confidence boost within the team as well.”

The former Great Britain World Cup rider makes his debut on Thursday at home to Swindon as he targets consistent points scoring for the Witches.

“It gives me a couple of meetings to settle down, it is nice to get straight into it. Swindon are a strong looking team on paper and have some good riders with Doyley (Jason Doyle) at number one. It will be a good test, but I am up for it and looking forward to it.

“I will go out and enjoy it and try to be as consistent as I can scoring points taking every meeting as it comes really.”