KING’S Lynn race into action for the first time in 2026 with a local derby trip to rivals Ipswich in the Knockout Cup on Thursday.

The PSH Environmental Stars reached the Final of the competition last season, doing so with a sensational semi-final win over the Witches which was sealed in a thriller at Foxhall.

This season, the Cup is being run on a mini-league basis, as there are six teams in the Premiership. The Stars and the Witches are joined by newcomers Northampton in the southern section.

Interestingly, the last time the group format was in place was in 2022 and Lynn reached the Final on that occasion before losing out to Sheffield in the decider.

There is huge excitement about the new-look team assembled for the ’26 campaign with Grand Prix superstar Max Fricke leading the charge at No.1, whilst skipper Chris Harris, Jan Kvech and Ben Cook are all back from last year.

Paco Castagna completes the top five with young guns Cooper Rushen and Jody Scott forming a potential-packed reserve pairing.

Ipswich have a very different look to the team which clinched Premiership glory last October, with the Witches under new promotion and with only three riders remaining from that side.

Tom Brennan, skipper Danny King and Rising Star Jason Edwards are back in Suffolk this year, whilst veteran and club legend Scott Nicholls returns, along with former Stars heat-leader Richard Lawson and classy Pole Tobiasz Musielak. Swedish racer Philip Hellstrom-Bangs is an eye-catching addition at reserve.

Stars manager Rob Lyon said: “We wouldn’t have picked this team with these riders if we didn’t feel confident that they could do a job, and I think overall it’s quite intriguing.

“I know there’s a real anticipation amongst the fans to see how it all transpires.

“I think bringing Max in will be good for the club, and for the rest of the team. He leads by example at No.1 and he’s the best rider in the league on paper, so hopefully it will spur the rest of the boys on to have a more successful season.

“Ipswich have built a solid team, there’s no doubt about it. We all know what Richard Lawson is capable of, and Tom Brennan will be looking for this to be his breakthrough year at No.1.

“Musielak could well be their difference in terms of making a major play for the top end or not, as the case may be. He’s a much better rider than his average would suggest.”

The return fixture at the Adrian Flux Arena takes place on Monday (April 13) and there is an aggregate point available in the mini-league, with both clubs to also face home and away matches against Northampton.

IPSWICH: Tom Brennan, Danny King, Tobiasz Musielak, Scott Nicholls, Richard Lawson, Philip Hellstrom-Bangs, Jason Edwards.
KING’S LYNN: Max Fricke, Ben Cook, Chris Harris, Paco Castagna, Jan Kvech, Cooper Rushen, Jody Scott.