DANISH international Hans Andersen will become the number one rider for the Bees in 2015.
It will be a second successive campaign at Brandon for Andersen, who previously won titles with Peterborough and Swindon and played a major role in the team’s progress all the way to the Grand Final this year.
Andersen enjoyed a strong 2014 season, maintaining his average in a tough new race format which saw several of the other top riders drop significantly, and his expertise on several away circuits was a big factor in their impressive results on the road.
His final figure of 8.33 placed him fourth in the rankings at the end of the season behind only Niels-Kristian Iversen, Darcy Ward and Jason Doyle.
And his return next year also means he can continue what proved to be a remarkable race partnership with skipper Chris Harris.
The two combined for an incredible total of 36 5-1s during their heats together in the regular 2014 campaign, and their strike-rate of maximums at Brandon was greater than 50 per cent.
“We’re talking about true out-and-out No.1s who are currently riding in the Elite League, and they don’t come much better than Hans.” said Bees promoter Mick Horton.
“I was speaking to him on Wednesday morning and he knows he fell away a bit in the play-offs, but you look at his average over the season in a harder league when he was riding against the No.1, 3 and 5 in almost all of his races, and he’s the obvious choice for us.
“From our point of view we’ve signed the rider who finished fourth in the league averages last season and I’m really not sure what more we can expect from our No.1.
“He and Bomber lead by example and their partnership is amazing. They are two completely different riders who gel well together – there’s no point having two riders who go for the same lines, they complement each other perfectly and I’m sure we’ll reap the benefits again.”
Great Britain international Danny King has also signed for the Bees after leaving local rivals Birmingham Brummies.
King, who was close to a move to the Bees last winter, joins the club after four years with the Brummies who closed down earlier this year.
The 28-year-old is a seasoned Elite League performer and has an impressive record at Brandon where he has often been called upon to make guest appearances for teams at the circuit, whilst earlier this year he was called up to race for Great Britain in their successful World Cup campaign.
King and Anderson join skipper Chris Harris, Cameron Woodward, Jason Garrity and James Sarjeant in 2015.
Horton added: “I’m really pleased that in our discussions Danny made it clear he always wanted to ride for Coventry, because he had offers from three or four clubs.
“He could have moved to us last winter but missed out because of the averages, but this year we’ve managed to do the deal and we’re really pleased, and so is he.
“Danny is another heat-leader who is capable of beating anyone, and he’s a popular British rider who gives 100 per cent.”
