CZECH star Matej Kus will make his East of England Showground bow in Peterborough's opening meeting of the new season.

CZECH star Matej Kus will make his East of England Showground bow in Peterborough's opening meeting of the new season.

World Cup ace Kus is the third confirmed starter in the opposition squad for the Readypower Panthers' first taste of 2010 track action on Monday, March 15.

Kus, 20, is rated as his country's brightest young prospect and will join three-times World Champion Nicki Pedersen and exciting teenager Lasse Bjerre, 16, in the all-star line-up.

Kus has had limited racing experience in Britain having made just two appearances for Premier League Berwick in 2007 when he was only 18.

He hit the headlines then when he crashed at Glasgow and was unconscious for 45 minutes, before waking up talking near perfect English!

Since then he's established himself as one of the world's brightest talents and was both Under 19 and Under 21 Czech Republic Champion in 2008.

Last season he finished third in the senior championship and was a regular member of his country's World Cup squad.

He was also the Czech Grand Prix wild card, his second appearance having been reserve in 2007.

In the Under 21 World Cup he was the highest-scoring Czech and also finished seventh in the European Championship, four points ahead of ex-Panther Mads Korneliussen.

He also impressed when he rode in three end-of-season challenge matches for Poole against Eastbourne and Ipswich last October.

Director of Speedway Peter Oakes said: “We are looking to provide our fans with the perfect start to our 40th Anniversary.

“Our aim is to book in some of the world's best - and some exciting youngsters who will go on to be very big names in the future.

“Matej has enormous talent and will be a real contender for this year's World Under 21 title.

“Everyone is excited about seeing him in action at the Showground to see how he shapes up.”