Ipswich Witches’ Danish star Morten Risager is looking for a new start with a ‘fresh team’ as the countdown to the new speedway season gets underway.

Risager, 28, is back on the Heath in 2016 after missing out on a Witches team place last year – and he can’t wait to get cracking.

The Witches, minus Nico Covatti and James Sargeant, have just returned from a successful practice session in Italy and Risager is looking forward to racing for an Ipswich team he feels has a fresh look about them.

“Chris Louis has put together a different kind of team this year,” Risager said.

“It is a fresh team. Only Danny King and Nico Covatti were at Foxhall last season and I wasn’t there last year either, even though I was the four years before.

“I like the look of our team. It is one of experienced riders, as well as a few younger ones. Everyone in the team is putting Ipswich first as a priority.

“Chris has put together a top-heavy team and has done that purposely.”

The ‘tru7.com’ Witches went to Italy with Louis and team manager Ritchie Hawkins accompanying them.

With the season fast approaching and Ipswich’s first meeting of the season just three weeks away, Risager admits the Italian weekend was an important bonding session.

“When I have ridden for Denmark a few times, we have had get-togethers like that,” he said.

“It’s brilliant and you can’t beat it. Not only do we get back on our bikes, but we spent time together. It’s so important.”

Scunthorpe Scorpions are the first visitors to Foxhall Stadium on Thursday, March 17, in a League Cup clash, and Risager knows there are strong teams about in 2016.

“I like the look of Newcastle, both the Scottish teams, Glasgow and Edinburgh and Somerset always come through well, even though they don’t perhaps look that strong at the moment,” he said.

“But we look good too. On paper one of the best teams.

“I enjoyed riding for Plymouth last season, but I feel no pressure coming back. Ipswich is my club, my town in England.”

Coming up this season in the Ipswich Star and EADT newspapers . . . the Danny King column - every Thursday.