The fourth rider announced for Edinburgh Monarchs 2026 campaign is returning 25 year-old Swede Jonatan Grahn who is making his way back to Armadale for another year.
Grahn was an instant hit with the terracing faithful last year finishing the season (and therefore starting 2026) with a 5.30 average including some match winning contributions.
Grahn is quick to say there was only one place he wanted to be in the coming months, “When I started thinking of 2026 my first plan was to be back in the UK and Edinburgh.
“It was my first plan straight from the start so I am happy that is what is happening and I can’t wait to get back and get started again.”
As is always the case for newcomers to British speedway, 2025 had its ups and downs for the Hallsberg-born racer, but this is all experience he thinks will stand him in good stead as he goes into his second year looking to progress further, “In the beginning it was hard as everything was new.
“All the tracks and set-ups and all of that was different but after a few weeks and the experience of riding in the UK I started to get used to it and it started to come together.
“I would say maybe that I found it easier at some of the away tracks last season for some reason but by the end of the season I was happy with how I was riding Armadale as well.
“That is one of my main aims for next year – to get even better at Armadale and now I have the experience both home and away I think I can improve my scores everywhere.”
Adding to this confidence is the familiarity that will come with three of the four announced so far also being part of the 2025 septet, “In the beginning I only really knew Victor and it was really good to have him but now I feel like I know everyone at the club and the fans as well.
“It will make it easier as although Victor is gone I will know what to expect from the start of the season and can just concentrate on that and not where things are and how things work and things like that.
“The team spirit was really good last year and looking at the signings we have announced so far I think it will be the same again.
“It is such a good bunch of riders and mechanics as well we all get on and again that helps on the track when you are having fun on it as well.”
Looking to the year ahead Jonatan is set for another busy year with team spaces lined up at home also, this exactly what the Swedish internationalist is looking for to help him go even further, “I am pretty much settled for 2026 now. I will ride for Indianerna and Solkatterna in Sweden. I will be in a team with Victor again and with Robert Eriksson as manager at Solkatterna so there is a big Monarchs connection there as well.
“It is going to be a good year. I have a busy calendar and that is what I want as I always say a busy speedway rider is a better speedway rider and I want to be riding many meetings, scoring points and having fun.
“My main focus will be on my clubs and scoring well for them then the rest takes care of itself. I have had a good record in the Swedish finals and representing your country is always great but that only comes if you are doing well for your teams.
“As I said I want to race as much as possible so I won’t say no to things like guest bookings and individual meetings and things like that but my main focus is always on scoring for my teams and seeing where that takes me.”
Before all that begins though Grahn is looking forward to small break as the festive season approaches with some time to rest and reflect on a good year, “Christmas is all about family time, my whole family will get together and I think I have about four straight days of things with the family with traditional Swedish food like meatballs and things like that.
“After that it is back to preparing. I am working a regular job over the winter so I have that and I have been out on my endurance bike a lot to keep bike sharp.
“The weather has been typical Scottish weather although I am in Sweden I would say, it has not stopped raining but I am keeping busy and then early in the year I will start putting my bikes together and then pre-season training and things like that will be here soon and it starts again.”
Words by Edinburgh Speedway – Feature Image by Peter Hill
