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SWEDISH star Sebastian Alden is on his way back to the Swindon squad for the 2012 season.The 26-year-old, who first rode for the Robins in 2005, has agreed a doubling-up deal with the Blunsdon club alongside his Premier League duties for Berwick.Swindon manager Alun Rossiter said: “Seb is a better and more mature rider than he was in his previous spells here, and I’m very comfortable about bringing him back.“Seb is aware that Jason (Doyle) starts off in pole position for that team place, and it’s up to him to impress us and force his way in – but, of course, there will be a few fixture clashes where Jason can’t ride anyway and it’s good that we have a more than capable option to share that spot.”

NEWPORT’S New Year Classic on January 2 will be dedicated to the club’s former owner Tim Stone – who first came up with the idea for the event.Stone introduced the winter meeting which has now been held for twelve years, eleven of them at Queensway Meadows with the only exception coming in 2009 when the club was closed down due to his death.Wasps co-promoter Steve Mallett said: “Previously we had dedicated the Prince of Wales Trophy to Tim, but the New Year Classic is really more suited as it was his brainchild. The riders will be competing for the new Tim Stone Trophy.“We will now dedicate the Prince of Wales Trophy in March to Neil Street, who was a Newport legend. This seems much more appropriate.”

LAKESIDE have moved for vastly-experienced Swedish star Peter Karlsson to complete a powerful top three with skipper Lee Richardson and Davey Watt.The Hammers have re-signed doubling-up duo Stuart Robson and Kauko Nieminen, whilst Justin Sedgmen and Richie Worrall will also share a position. Robert Mear and Kim Nilsson have full-time positions in the line-up.Club owner Stuart Douglas said: “It’s always really exciting announcing a new team, and we are really pleased that the last few pieces of the jigsaw fell into place much quicker than anticipated.“I think this is one of the most thrilling teams we have ever tracked – we can look forward to 2012 with great anticipation.”

KING’S Lynn have signed World Under-21 Champion Maciej Janowski and also announced the return of Daniel Nermark to the Norfolk Arena.Janowski has previously raced in the UK for Swindon, whilst Nermark was with Birmingham in 2011. The Stars starting line-up, which is now complete, includes doubling-up duos of David Howe/Kozza Smith and Filip Sitera/Michael Palm Toft.Manager Rob Lyon said: “To be successful this season we need a rider who will improve their average by two or three points, with Magic joining us on a ridiculously low average of 6.06 I believe he will be the rider to achieve that.“It hasn’t been easy making it all work but we have miraculously managed to fit Daniel into the team, he is a great rider and still has a lot of fans at King’s Lynn after two magnificent seasons with us in the Premier League.”

COVENTRY have completed their 2012 line-up with the signing of Henning Bager as a full-time reserve along with two doubling-up combinations.Newport star Leigh Lanham joins the already-signed Aaron Summers in the Bees’ squad, whilst Jason Bunyan and club asset Adam Roynon will share a team place at reserve.Owner Mick Horton said: “I’m really pleased with the team line-up, and I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be up there challenging to get into the play-offs.“Our top four speaks for itself, I believe it’s going to be amongst the strongest top-orders in the Elite League, but I’m also very happy with the other riders we’ve brought in with the points available.”

TEENAGE Australian Brenton Barnfield has become Berwick’s final signing for the 2012 season.Barnfield’s arrival completes the youngest-ever team in the Bandits’ 44-year history, with an average age of 22. He caught the eye of the club’s promotion when appearing as an amateur in the Northern Junior League last season.Owner John Anderson said: “Brenton was originally brought to our notice in Australia by one-time Bandit Troy Scott. We should also mention the help of Mark Lemon, a near-neighbour of the Barnfield family in Mildura, who ensured we did not forget the lad when building our line-up.“In addition to his prospective racing promise – and it is his potential we are investing in with this signing – Brenton is a polite, articulate young man, very much the kind of lad we want to have representing the Bandits off the track as well as scoring points on it when the tapes go up.”


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