The 34-year-old has become a key figure at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park since joining the Watling JCB Lions ahead of the 2024 season. Previously best known for his long association with Wolverhampton prior to the closure of Monmore Green, Masters first rode for Leicester back in 2015 as a doubling-up rider.

After switching to the Lions full-time, Masters quickly established himself as a leader within the team, serving as vice-captain to Max Fricke as Leicester enjoyed a hugely successful spell. Over the past two seasons, the Lions reached two Premiership Grand Finals and lifted the KO Cup, underlining their status as one of the sport’s leading sides.

Masters returns for 2026 on an average of 7.28, following a consistent campaign which included a formidable home record. He scored double figures on eight occasions in league action at Beaumont Park, playing a central role in Leicester’s title challenges.

Speaking about his decision to remain with the club, Masters said he felt settled and eager to continue building on recent success.

“I don’t like switching clubs too much, I feel pretty settled and when you feel like that there’s no point in leaving!” Masters told the Leicester Speedway website.

Reflecting on the near-misses in the Premiership, he added:

“I’ve enjoyed the last two years at Leicester, and although two second places is hard to take, at the same time it’s shown how successful we’ve been. There have been plenty of other teams below us in those two seasons!” (Leicester Speedway website)

Masters also spoke warmly about the welcome he has received since arriving at Beaumont Park.

“When you’re winning, like we have been, it’s been fun, and although it was always going to be hard to leave Wolves after so long, Stewart (Dickson) and everyone at the club have made me feel more than welcome and I’m grateful that they want me to stay,” he said via the Leicester Speedway website.

With Fricke unable to be accommodated in the 2026 line-up, Masters acknowledged the challenge of stepping into the captaincy role.

“It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t fit Max in because we had a lot of good team-rides and we were a pretty good pairing in Heats 13 and 15, so we’ll miss him, plus he was a good captain,” Masters explained.

“It’s big boots for me to fill as captain, but it’s something I’ve done before and I can only do my best and I’m already looking forward to it.” (Leicester Speedway website)

Currently back in Australia, Masters is already focused on preparations for the new season.

“I’m back home at the moment looking to prepare and get as fit as I can ready for another big season, and it was good to hear that the league itself is under control and we can look forward to next year,” he added, speaking to the Leicester Speedway website.

Masters becomes Leicester’s second confirmed signing for 2026, following the return of Dan Thompson from Ipswich, with further team news expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Feature Image courtesy of British Speedway

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Masters has been inspirational since moving to the Cheetahs in 2023 and led from the front throughout a challenging 2025 campaign for the Championship side. He finished the season with the highest average in the Championship, and was the only rider to achieve double figures at 10.09.

Team Manager Pete Schroeck underlined how important Sam was to the Cheetahs:

“Sam was a constant throughout the year, and could always be relied upon to deliver the points. He was an inspirational captain, which he will retain into 2026. That makes two riders so far for 2026, with Sam Masters and Anders Rowe both confirmed starters.”

Schroeck concluded, “The team is coming together as I had planned and the fans will have a team they can really get behind!”

The club expects to be in a position to confirm the next rider on Tuesday December 9th, 2026.

Words and Image by Oxford Speedway

The post Sam Masters is an Oxford Cheetah again for 2026 appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

Masters and Scott Nicholls have been a fearsome Heat 13/15 combination in the Cab Direct Championship in the last two years, but that pairing will be split in 2025 due to injury for Nicholls.

READ MORE: OXFORD CHEETAHS NEWS

Said Masters: “I didn’t need to think about it, I love turning up at Sandy Lane and racing for the Cheetahs on a Wednesday.

“Pete (Schroeck) and Jamie (Courtney) are so easy to deal with and we have a great relationship, this is a real family club.

“I hope I can be half the captain that Scott is, and I hope he is back quickly as he’s one of the best team-mates I have ever had – a massive part of the Cheetahs set-up.”

Words and Images by British Speedway

The post Sam Masters confirmed as Oxford Cheetahs 2025 Number 1 appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

Masters joined the Lions last winter after an extensive spell with Wolverhampton prior to the forced closure of the Monmore club, and he helped his new side to the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Grand Final.

Manager Stewart Dickson said: “Sam is very consistent, and he wins big races.

“I think he had a slow start to the season, but he then picked up his form, and quite often he was asked to go with Max (Fricke) in Heat 15 up against some very good riders.

“He delivered more often than not and I’m sure the highlight of this season would have been the two Heat 15 5-1s in the play-off semi-final against Ipswich.

“I know people said he had a big home track advantage at Monmore Green and his average could only go one way, but he actually put his average up when he came to Leicester which shows he’s still very capable of doing a heat-leader job for us.”

Words and Feature Image by British Speedway

The post Sam Masters to stay with Leicester Lions in 2025 appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.