Career Statistics
Born: 2nd June 1987
Nationality: Swedish
Appearances for Country: 0
Points for Country: 0
Start of season average: 4.31
Eastbourne Career Statistics
Appearances: 33
Points: 156
Average: 5.14
The last 9 years – Elite League Career Averages
|
Season
|
Team
|
Rides
|
Points (inc. bonus)
|
Average
|
|
2009
|
Eastbourne
|
147
|
189
|
5.14
|
|
2008
|
Lakeside
|
198
|
282
|
5.70
|
|
2007
|
Oxford*/Lakeside
|
114
|
132
|
4.63
|
2007 was Kling’s first Elite League season
*Oxford’s results have been used in this form guide, despite the fact that they were expunged.
Profile
A new signing for Eastbourne in 2009 on loan from Lakeside, Kling’s sale as an asset to the Poole Pirates has not changed his status on loan to Eastbourne for 2010. After a disappointing 2009 season that saw his average drop for the first time since his 2007 debut in the country, Kling will be looking to continue his late-2009 form into the new season to burst back up the Elite League rankings. Upon his arrival in Britain in 2007, pundits predicted his status as a natural heir to Tony Rickardsson but he has so far failed to live up to this massive expectation. Indeed, even his overseas form has suffered, a drop from the Polish extraleague not kickstarting his career in a lower League, a four point average his result in the country’s second division. He averaged similarly in his second season for Lejonen in the Swedish Elite League, in his worst top flight season since 2005. However, he took advantage of regulations to also race in both of Sweden’s lower Leagues, and gain valuable experience and confidence.
An instant success on joining the Elite League in 2007, Ricky’s progress was hampered by the mid-season closure of Oxford, the Cowley club’s sad demise being a precursor to his full-time move to Lakeside. He stayed with the Hammers until the end of the 2008 season, when it was announced that he would be released on loan due to teambuilding constraints. His entire British Elite League career has been spent at circuits of less than 300 metres in size, and even prior to last season Kling favoured Eastbourne as one of his preferred circuits. He will need to make his home advantage count in 2010, then, if he is to improve upon his average figure; the two time World Under 21 finalist must have a breakthrough year to prove his status as a future Swedish World Cup regular.
Alex Raby
