Tobias Thomsen drops to reserve berth in team order change

Following the updated August averages, Sam Hagon jumps up into the main body of Poole Pirates' septet this week, swapping places with all-action Dane Thomsen.

Sadly fans will have to wait to see Thomsen team up with Vinnie Foord, the latter ruled out this week due to a shoulder injury.

“We’re certainly going to get a few interesting heat twos coming up,” promoter Ford told the Daily Echo.

“Tobias and Vinnie have both certainly got a bit of a wild style!

“I think coming up against a lot of reserve pairings, they’ll be putting a little bit of fear in them, which is good.

“To have Tobias at reserve could be a bit of a trump card. He’s a strong guy, a strong rider and can outmuscle a lot of reserves in the league, which I think we’ll hopefully see.

“Obviously he’ll be going to some away tracks like Scunthorpe, which I’m not sure if he’s ever ridden before. Maybe once back in 2018.

“But we’re definitely in for some exciting heat twos, that’s for sure.”

Thomsen's customary celebration (Image: Richard Crease)

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While Foord has excelled in recent weeks, Hagon’s form has dipped since the scintillating spell which saw him crowned British Under-21 champion in June.

“Things were coming very easy for Sam at the start of the season,” said Ford.

“He’d done a season over in Australia, so was riding a lot and was very fit.

“As the season starts, all the other riders start to catch up and he’s maybe dropped off a little bit.

“We can’t put our finger on exactly what is the matter. I think he’s maybe overthinking things a little bit on the machinery side.

“He’s got a lot equipment and he’s probably changing things a little bit too regularly, rather than giving everything a chance.

“His starting hasn’t been great, but his starting never was particularly great.

“He just seems to be lacking a little bit of pace where perhaps earlier in the year he had it.

“I know he’s working overtime to try and sort it and he’s got a good team around him.

“We just need to get him back to where he was before, which I’m sure we can do.

“He moves up to the main body of the team now, he’ll be at number two for Wednesday, which is going to be tough on him.

“But it’s the next step in his career.

“He’s had a great season so far, pretty much doubled his average.

“We just need to support him. Obviously Sam is an integral part of the team and everyone is rallying around him to try and get him going again.”