LUKE Crang will take over as Storm captain for the 2015 National League season.
Crang completes a much-changed Storm side and has the potential to be one of the top performers in the league based on his improvement throughout his relatively short time in the sport so far.
He returns to Brandon on a 7.37 average which may well have been higher but for him missing the second half of last season with a shoulder injury.
“Luke is convinced he’s ready to make the step up.” said Storm manager Laurence Rogers. “He’ll start as our No.1 and I also think he’s the most outspoken one in the team and will therefore also be the captain.
“He’s pleased to take on that role and do what he can to help the younger riders.
“Although he still hasn’t got much experience in speedway, he does have quite a lot of experience in motorcycle sport as a whole, and he has good family behind him for help and support.
“I also expect some friendly rivalry between himself and Dan (Greenwood) for that No.1 spot, they’ll both be going for it and it will all be good for the club.”
Crang is one of three returning riders from 2014, along with fellow club assets Greenwood and Martin Knuckey, as the Storm’s top-end trio from last season move on to the next stage in their careers.
Former skipper James Sarjeant will be concentrating on his Elite League racing for the Bees and a Premier League team place with Glasgow, while Stefan Nielsen and Ollie Greenwood will both be racing in the Premier League too.
Rogers added: “It’s a great shame our top three from last year can’t be fitted in but with the lowering of the points limit, we knew it would be tough to have a rider with an average of much over eight, although some clubs have gone that way.
“But from our point of view we’ve got to rebuild and grow again, and we felt a line-up with more strength in depth was the way to go rather than one big-hitter with a load more three-pointers at the bottom end, and hopefully that will be a winning formula.”
