It is now five down two to go for the 2026 Edinburgh Monarchs with the club delighted to announce Mitch Cluff as the latest addition to the line-up.
Cluff can’t wait for the new season to start, “I am really looking forward to next year, this year obviously was my first in the UK and it was tough at the start.”
The 25 year-old from New South Wales started his British Speedway journey in 2025 with Plymouth before team changes meant he was the victim of the numbers game, “It took me a while to get used to the Plymouth track and then when I was getting comfortable and starting to score more Plymouth made their changes and that was that.
“I learned a lot though and this year I feel I have really good people with me and supporting me so I can always get advice. I have Neil Evitts and also Sam Masters helping me out so I feel a lot more ready for the year ahead and I can’t wait to get started with Edinburgh.”
Masters needs no introduction to the Edinburgh faithful and Cluff has already spoken to the Monarchs legend, “When I was approached by Edinburgh I did call Sam to ask what he thought and he said straight away to go for it, he told me how good the club and track are.
“I will be staying only about 20 minutes away from him so when we all get back to the UK after the Aussie summer I’ll make sure to get as many tips as possible and get those secret lines he knows about from him.”
While relatively inexperienced in the UK having only had that short stint with the Gladiators last season, Cluff does come with a myriad of experience in Europe having spent the three seasons prior with Czestochowa u24 team in Poland with an average of over six showing his ability.
When asked what his goals are for 2026 Cluff is fairly forthright, “It is a solid team that Edinburgh have built, I think it will be strong but my aim is to get out of reserve. If I do that then w e will be really strong as the guys above me are all good riders.
“Obviously for myself and my career overall in the future I want to be a heat leader but first up is just to score as many as I can and try and get out of reserve and keep scoring in the main body. I am not unrealistic though and I know this all won’t happen overnight so I want to do a full season in the UK and keep progressing.”
Cluff adds to the list of Australian born riders to grace the Blue and Gold over the years with fellow countrymen Justin Sedgmen and Jordy Loftus already announced also, this something Cluff feels will help him also, “Having other Aussies around me will be good as well as when you put us together we end up getting on.
“Last season at Plymouth I got on great with Lasse Fredriksen but apart from that it was a little of bit of people doing their own thing.
“From what I have been told it is different at Edinburgh and I am looking forwar d to that and being part of the team.”
Currently enjoying a break in Bali, albeit in their rainy season so not quite sunning it up, Cluff’s preparations for next year are already well under way although he admits to not putting in as busy a schedule as previously to make sure he is as fresh as required come season’s start, “I have a few meetings over the Aussie summer but I am taking it easier than before.
“Last year I did every meeting I could in Australia and after having had the European summer in Poland. I probably did too much and wasn’t as rested as I could have been for the start of the season so I didn’t want to make that mistake again.
“So, I am having some time off just now, just doing gym stuff and things like that to stay fit then I will have a couple of meetings in February to get sharp for coming over to Edinburgh.”
Signing on a 3.00 average Cluff will slot in at reserve alongside Jordy Loftus to start the sea son with the last two signings for the 2026 season anticipated to be announced soon.
Words and Images by Edinburgh Speedway
