By John Walsh

Last updated 12:05, Wednesday, 03 December 2008

Workington Comets have completed a second swoop in the space of 24 hours to land another top heat leader.

Adrian Rymel, the 33-year-old former Berwick Bandits rider has joined new number one Kevin Doolan in the Comets line-up for 2009.

It means that the Comets will boast two of the top five riders from last season in their new line-up, and owner Keith Denham says he has another exciting rider in the frame.

“I don’t think anybody can argue that we have done well in replacing Daniel Nermark and Carl Stonehewer with Kevin Doolan and Adrian Rymel.

“If thing go to plan we will have a third quality heat leader in place, possibly in the New Year, and the team will virtually be complete and I think it will be very competitive, capable of challenging for honours next year,” said Denham.

Team manager Ian Thomas had to move smartly to land the Czech Republic star as Berwick wanted to take him back and an Elite League track was showing interest.

Thomas said: “Fortunately when we got to talk we were on the same wavelength and he is delighted to be coming to Workington for 2009.

“He didn’t ride against us in the Young Shield final because he was out with a dislocated shoulder. That’s why they had Tai Woffinden in the line-up for both legs.

“He assures me that the shoulder won’t be a problem next year. He is out and about in the Czech Republic, cycling and generally getting his strength back into the shoulder.

“Adrian was the star turn for the Czech Republic in the World Team Cup and he has just completed his best season in Britain after first coming over in 2001.

“I’m delighted to have him signed up so soon after Kevin Doolan and will show people we haven’t just been sitting about watching riders get snapped-up.

“We’ve been getting some stick off the internet brigade after losing Nermark and Nieminen but I hope the capture of Rymel and Doolan will shut them up.