BIG EVENT LATEST…

JOSH Bates will defend his British Under-21 Championship title at Coventry on Tuesday April 14.The Sheffield and Wolverhampton youngster won the Cradley-staged event last season and has now been named as one of seven seeded riders for the Final of this year’s competition.Bates will be joined at Brandon by 2014 runner-up Adam Ellis along with current and former British Under-19 Champions Oliver Greenwood and Stefan Nielsen.The seeds also include Kyle Howarth, who rode for Coventry last year, teenage sensation Robert Lambert (subject to confirmation) and Ashley Morris, who missed the second half of last season due to injury.The remaining nine places will be decided at the semi-final at Mildenhall on Sunday April 5 with a trio of home riders looking to make it through.Fen Tigers regulars Connor Coles, Connor Mountain and Jack Kingston are all assured of plenty of support at West Row, whilst Cradley and Kent both also have three riders in the field and nearby King’s Lynn have two.The meeting will also feature comeback man Darryl Ritchings, who qualified for last year’s Final only to miss out due to a season-ending head injury – although one youngster who remains on the sidelines is Liam Carr, who hopes to be back racing in May.GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “The list of seeded riders is very impressive, and they already have no fewer than six British titles between them at Under-21, Under-19 and Youth levels.“I’m sure the battle to join them will be intense, and one of the most pleasing facts of this semi-final is that all sixteen riders have achieved a National League average, whereas in previous seasons the line-up has included a number of three-point riders.“I believe this shows that the standard is increasing, and this is sure to be a very competitive meeting to try and qualify for a British Final appearance.“After running the semi-final at Plymouth in the last two seasons, we are now very excited about taking the event to a new venue, and our thanks go to Mildenhall promoter Kevin Jolly for his help.“With so much onus being on British Youth Development in 2015, this is sure to be an exciting meeting with places up for grabs to qualify for a British Final, and Mildenhall supporters will have plenty of interest on the day with several of their riders involved.“The Final itself carries plenty of prestige, not only for the opportunity to become British Champion but also for places in the 2015 FIM World Under-21 semi-finals.”

BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL (Coventry, April 14) SEEDED RIDERS: Robert Lambert (TBC) (King’s Lynn/Peterborough), Kyle Howarth (Swindon/Workington), Adam Ellis (Lakeside/Birmingham), Stefan Nielsen (Belle Vue/Ipswich), Ashley Morris, Josh Bates (Wolverhampton/Sheffield), Oliver Greenwood (Peterborough).

BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL DRAW (Mildenhall, April 5): 1. Luke Harris (Cradley), 2. Marc Owen (Eastbourne), 3. Jack Kingston (Mildenhall), 4. Connor Mountain (Mildenhall), 5. Max Clegg (Edinburgh/Cradley), 6. Nathan Greaves (Workington/Cradley), 7. Danno Verge (Kent), 8. Josh Bailey (King’s Lynn Young Stars), 9. Connor Coles (Mildenhall), 10. Darryl Ritchings (Coventry Storm), 11. Tom Stokes (King’s Lynn Young Stars), 12. James Shanes (Kent), 13. Adam Kirby (Birmingham), 14. Ryan Terry-Daley (Stoke), 15. Danny Phillips (Stoke), 16. Ben Morley (Redcar/Kent). Reserves: Ryan MacDonald (Stoke) & Danyon Hume (Rye House Raiders).

BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2015:ELITE LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: JASON DOYLEBRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: Coventry, Tuesday April 14BRITISH FINAL: Wolverhampton, Monday June 15PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS: Somerset, Friday July 3PREMIER LEAGUE FOURS: Peterborough, Sunday August 2PREMIER LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield, Sunday September 6

BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Mildenhall, Sunday April 5BRITISH SEMI-FINALS: Sheffield, Thursday May 7; King’s Lynn, Wednesday May 20

NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Coventry, Sunday June 14NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: King’s Lynn, Saturday September 5NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Rye House, Saturday September 26

ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…

BELLE VUE CEO David Gordon has stressed on-track success for the Aces is vital this season to go alongside the continuing construction work on their new stadium which will open in 2016.Gordon said: “The interest being generated by the National Speedway Stadium and its connotations for Belle Vue has really captured people's imaginations. But we still have the 2015 season to focus on and it's imperative we make it a successful one ahead of the big move next year.“We're confident that the team we've put together is more than capable of living up to our high expectations, and I think that's a belief which is shared by the fans. The response to our season ticket sales has been very promising.”COVENTRY No.1 Hans Andersen praised track conditions at Brandon following their opening-night home win over Leicester in the East Midlands Bowl, the Dane top-scoring with 12 (paid 13).Andersen said: “It was only my third time on the bike this season and I felt pretty good. Terry (Chrabaszcz) hasn’t had a lot of time to do the track, but even the starts were so good and all credit to him because the job he’s done is amazing.“It’s good to get a win after last Sunday, and I think our team looks pretty solid. It’s a difficult time for Jakub (Jamrog) at the moment, he needs to adapt to the tracks, and it’s so early in the season.”KING’S LYNN promoter Buster Chapman is optimistic ahead of the new campaign, with the club’s profile further raised by a stadium naming rights deal which sees them now race at the Adrian Flux Arena.Chapman said: “It’s great news for the town and this money will help to attract even more people here, continue to grow the stadium and hopefully it will be good for everybody involved.“It’s brilliant for us to be associated with a company like Adrian Flux - we couldn’t have wished for anything better and we’re confident it will work out well for both parties.”LAKESIDE manager Neil Vatcher is looking for his team to maintain consistency throughout the campaign after dropping out of the play-off race in the closing part of 2014.Vatcher told Speedway Star: “Everything looked really good and we were on course to make the play-offs, which was our aim from the outset of the season.“We had quite a busy August but instead of enhancing our play-off aspirations, for one reason or another our form dipped really badly, especially away from home, and the season just tapered away.”LEICESTER clinched the East Midlands Bowl on aggregate at Coventry on Friday thanks their big home win over the Bees, but picked up an immediate injury concern over young Dane Mikkel Michelsen, who damaged his foot in a Heat 1 incident.Manager Norrie Allan said: “We were certainly on the back foot after losing Mikkel before even a lap had even been completed but the team rallied round and whilst we never threatened to win the meeting at the same time we kept the difference in points close on the night. “We knew that Coventry would be a much different proposition at Brandon and so it proved. It was a great turn-out of our fans and they were right behind the team and I am pleased that for them we won the trophy but my main concern at the moment is Mikkel.”POOLE boss Neil Middleditch goes into the new season with confidence high that the Pirates can make a strong challenge for a third successive Elite League title.Middleditch said: “It never ceases to amaze me that Matt (Ford) always assembles a highly competitive team each season, and this year is no different. If you look down through the team all you can see is riders who are capable of riding above their average and that is so often a key ingredient of a successful season. “I have said on the last two occasions that we can go and win the title, and we delivered both times, and I see no reason why we shouldn't do something that has not been done since the 70's, I seem to recall, and win three in a row.”SWINDON manager Alun Rossiter is excited by the prospects for 2015, having made five changes to the Robins team but having brought several familiar faces back to the Abbey Stadium.Rossiter said: “I was happy when I put the team together over the winter, and as the weeks have gone on I’ve actually become happier and happier with it. “I think it’s an exciting team, full of riders who will improve including both reserves, and as ever the first aim will be to get to the play-offs, which is something we’ve managed to achieve in each of the last three seasons.”WOLVERHAMPTON star Ricky Wells made a positive start to his 2015 campaign with a rostrum appearance in the club’s season-opening Banks’s Olympique Classic.Wells said: “It was a really good way for me to start the season, I wish I could have got the win but to get on the podium is good.“I enjoy riding here, I’m glad to be back and it was a good night. Hopefully I can take plenty of positives from it and go on to have a good start to the season.”

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST…

BERWICK have appointed Kevin Doolan as their club captain for the 2015 season.The 34-year-old is going into his second consecutive season with the Scottish outfit whose season gets underway this Saturday (March 28) at home to Newcastle.“It’s an honour to be named captain, but I am taking my responsibilities seriously,” Doolan told the Southern Reporter.“People who know me know that I am not naturally a serious person, but I want to make a success of this.“I think we have a good team, better than some people might be suggesting, and I think we can have a good season.”EDINBURGH bosses are counting down to their first team fixture of the season, as they face a trip to local rivals Glasgow on Sunday (March 29).Club Director Brian Gray told the club website: “This is a hugely anticipated fixture between possibly the best two teams in the league this season.“I for one am looking forward to visiting the new stadium for the first time to see what’s changed but the proof of the pudding will be on track and I predict there won’t be more than a few points between the teams throughout the match which will leave the second leg a mouth-watering prospect!”GLASGOW co-promoter Colin Hamilton believes new signing Kozza Smith will quickly become a crowd favourite at the refurbished Ashfield Stadium this season, ahead of their season-opener against Edinburgh on Sunday (March 29).Hamilton said: “I think he'll be a really exciting racer. Plus, he's known for entertaining the fans during and after the meetings - he gets involved with the crowd, which is one of the attractions of Kozza.“But he has the ability to score big points, that's what we want him to do and that's what he wants to do as well. He is going to be a big asset to the team.”IPSWICH are looking to build on their positive performance away at Rye House last Saturday when they host the Rockets in the reverse League Cup fixture at Foxhall this Thursday (March 26).The Witches picked up a consolation point away from home at the weekend, and Director of Speedway Chris Louis has been full of praise for Danny King, who is back with the club in 2015.“I can see already why I was keen to bring him back at the earliest possible opportunity,” said Louis.“His preparation for the season has been impeccable, he’s a team man through and through and brings a happy and calm atmosphere to the pits.”NEWCASTLE team manager George English is looking forward to the forthcoming 2015 campaign.The Diamonds boss spoke as riders and management from Redcar, Berwick and Workington joined his side to form a Northern Launch event at Byker.English told the club website: “We are happy with the team we have put together during the winter.“Within our realistic financial constraints, we feel we have assembled a team where everybody in the team can improve and go on to challenge at the right end of the table.”PETERBOROUGH team boss Carl Johnson is challenging his side to bounce back instantly from last Sunday’s home defeat to Somerset.The Panthers slipped to a 47-43 loss in a last heat decider at the East of England Showground.“It is definitely not the start we were planning on making,” Johnson admitted ahead of this Friday’s (March 27) home clash with Rye House.“We have to make sure we pick ourselves up from this.“Everyone is hugely disappointed and so they should be, but I’m certain we will bounce back.”PLYMOUTH have signed Jack Holder on a three-year deal and have also agreed a two-year contract with Ryan Fisher.Team boss Lee Trigger has told the Plymouth Herald that the idea behind the longer contracts was to ensure some stability for the Devils in years to come.“If we can have a really good season and keep most of them (the team) together for next season, then that’s the future,” said Trigger.“He (Holder) has got a sensible head on his shoulders.“We all talk about his elder brother (Chris – 2012 World Champion) and Jack would like to follow in his footsteps. “It’s a massive learning curve for him and hopefully he will strengthen himself and we will reap the benefit.”REDCAR boss Jitendra Duffill has called for patience ahead of the new Premier League season – but is happy with the potential within the Bears’ team.The Teeside outfit were forced into a late change to their plans and brought Ben Morley into the side to replace Richard Hall.Said Duffill: “I believe we have a competitive team but I accept that we certainly won’t be rated amongst the bookies favourites at the start of the year.“We have two very inexperienced reserves and we will have to be patient with them as they find their feet, but I do believe that they both have a lot of potential and they will do a good job for us if we give them the support and time they need.”RYE HOUSE debutant Robin Aspegren was delighted with how his first meeting panned out with the Rockets last Saturday.The Swedish rider scored 10+1 from five rides as the Hertfordshire side got their season off to a winning start with a 46-43 win over Ipswich.“It was a great first meeting for me,” said Aspegren.“It can take four or five meetings to find the right one (bike set-up), but I’m confident I’m there already.“It was also a really good result for the team – Ipswich are one of the teams that everyone is expecting to do well, but we more than matched them so it’s a great start.”SCUNTHORPE promoter Rob Godfrey believes his side are the team to beat for the Premier League title this season.The Scorpions get their 2015 campaign underway with a trip to Sheffield this Thursday (March 26) and club bosses are feeling positive ahead of the new season.“Nobody is tipping us, but I would put money on us – I am feeling really confident that we have got it right, Godfrey told the Scunthorpe Telegraph following an unofficial team practice session.“All the riders looked very good – Theo (Pijper) was on it, Carl (Wilkinson) and David (Howe) looked very good and I have got a lot of time for Nike (Lunna).“There are a lot of good teams this year and we need to be competitive.”SHEFFIELD hometown hero Simon Stead was delighted to claim victory at the Ricky Ashworth Benefit meeting on Sunday.A bumper crowd filled Owlerton to see local boy Stead storm to a spectacular meeting win in a strong field on an emotional night.“I rode with Ricky at Sheffield so it has been an emotional day and it was a meeting I was desperate to win,” said Stead.“It was a fantastic field that was put together, some great riders turned out for Ricky which was a testament to the man himself.”SOMERSET are counting down to their 2015 Oaktree Arena season opener when they host Poole in a special challenge meeting this Friday (March 27).The Rebels will be full of confidence going into the clash with the 2014 Elite League Champions after an impressive 47-43 away win at Peterborough on Sunday.Promoter Debbie Hancock said: “Matt Ford said when we first arranged the fixture that he would be bringing a full strength Poole side to the Oaktree Arena, and he has been good to his word.“It should be a really great occasion, and a chance for the Somerset fans to see some of the Elite League’s top riders such as Chris Holder and Maciej Janowski flying around the Oaktree Arena – a sight not to be missed!”WORKINGTON are finally looking forward to the season ahead after a difficult winter break for the club.The Comets signed a total of eleven riders before ending up with the septet that will line-up against Redcar in their first meeting of 2015 this Thursday.Team Manager Tony Jackson said: “Having initially signed Simon Lambert and Michael Palm Toft, changes in their personal circumstances meant they were unable to commit to a season with us.“Then Mason Campton and Matthew Wethers were caught up in the visa situation… but we re-grouped once more and are now delighted with our one to seven which we feel has a perfect mix of youth and experience.”

CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE club-by-club news will commence in next week’s bulletin.

FIXTURE PICTURE…

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25: ELITE SHIELD 1st leg: Poole v King’s Lynn 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS CHALLENGE 2nd leg: Cradley v Birmingham 7.30

THURSDAY MARCH 26:LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Rye House 7.30, Sheffield v Scunthorpe 7.30ELITE SHIELD 2nd leg: King’s Lynn v Poole 7.30A66 CHALLENGE 1st leg: Redcar v Workington 7.30BOB KILBY MEMORIAL: Swindon 7.30

FRIDAY MARCH 27:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Leicester 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Rye House 7.30CHALLENGE: Somerset v Poole 7.30

SATURDAY MARCH 28:LEAGUE CUP: Rye House v Somerset 7pmTYNE/TWEED TROPHY 1st leg: Berwick v Newcastle 7pmA66 TROPHY 2nd leg: Workington v Redcar 7pmSKILLS GROUP SPRING CLASSIC: Plymouth 7.15

SUNDAY MARCH 29:SPRING TROPHY 1st leg: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pmTYNE/TWEED TROPHY 2nd leg: Newcastle v Berwick 6.30M6 CUP: Stoke v Birmingham 3pmPALMER TROPHY: Mildenhall 3.30CHRIS HARRIS TESTIMONIAL: Coventry 2pm (1pm for British Youth races)

MONDAY MARCH 30:ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Coventry 7.30

TUESDAY MARCH 31:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Lakeside 7.30

THURSDAY APRIL 2:LEAGUE CUP: Sheffield v Redcar 7.30

FRIDAY APRIL 3:ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Wolverhampton 12pm, Coventry v Leicester 7.30, Lakeside v King’s Lynn 1pm, Poole v Swindon 11am, Swindon v Poole 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Peterborough 2pm, Peterborough v Ipswich 7.30, Redcar v Sheffield 7.30, Somerset v Plymouth 7.30CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Stoke 8pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Eastbourne v Kent 7.30SPRING TROPHY 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30

SATURDAY APRIL 4:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Coventry 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Plymouth v Somerset 7.15NATIONAL TROPHY: Rye House v Mildenhall 7pmIAN THOMAS SHIELD 1st leg: Workington v Newcastle 7pm

SUNDAY APRIL 5: BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: Mildenhall 3.30LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Berwick 3pmIAN THOMAS SHIELD 2nd leg: Newcastle v Workington 6.30

MONDAY APRIL 6:LEAGUE CUP: Rye House v Peterborough 2pm, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 3pmNATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Eastbourne 3pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Rye House v Stoke (follows LC fixture)CHALLENGE: Scunthorpe Stags v Buxton (follows LC match)

TUESDAY APRIL 7:ELITE LEAGUE: Wolverhampton v Belle Vue 7.30