(SPEEDWAY 1)
TEENAGE hotshots Tom Brennan and Kyle Bickley will represent Great Britain in the FIM European Under-19 Semi-Final at Pardubice on Thursday, July 5.
The talented duo will head to the Czech Republic looking to provide more British success in the event won by Robert Lambert last year.
Brennan and Bickley will both have a tough task as they aim to progress to the Final in Finland in August.
Newly crowned British Under-19 Champion Dan Bewley declined an offer to compete in the competition in order to concentrate on qualifying for the World and European Under-21 Finals.
(SPEEDWAY 2)
GLASGOW star Richie Worrall is confident the Tigers can make KO Cup progress against Edinburgh at Ashfield today (Sunday).
Worrall’s 13-point score in Friday’s first leg helped his side keep things close, and they face a narrow two-point deficit going into the return fixture.
But he is aware the heat-leader strength of the Monarchs is still likely to pose a major threat.
Worrall said: “They like Glasgow and have some guys who like going round Ashfield. There's been a lot of track work going on in the direction we want because that's one thing we've not been happy with, the track hasn't been for us.
"But the Facennas along with all the track staff have done some work on it, they did some last week before the meeting, and there was a dramatic change I felt.
“We'll see on Sunday but it should be a cracker - I do enjoy the derbies."
(SPEEDWAY 3)
NORTH-East rivals Newcastle and Redcar meet in the Championship at Brough Park tonight (Sunday).
Both sides will be looking to climb the early table with the Bears having suffered a heavy home defeat to Lakeside on Thursday.
The Diamonds bring in David Howe to guest for the absent Lewis Rose, and have also recruited Kevin Doolan to stand in for the injured Stuart Robson, whilst the Bears are at full strength.
(SPEEDWAY 4)
UNBEATEN National Trophy duo Coventry and Birmingham meet in a crucial Northern section clash at Leicester today (Sunday).
The Bees are top of the table after their big win at Cradley on Monday, whilst the Brummies currently have home and away successes against Stoke to their name.
The visitors operate rider-replacement for the unavailable Layne Cupitt, and also include Jack Parkinson-Blackburn – who was due to line up for the Bees in 2018 prior to taking time out on the eve of the season.
Coventry promoter Mick Horton said: “The boys are now fully aware that if we can beat Birmingham, we’re going to be in a very strong position to win the group. It’s a tough group but we’re all enjoying it.
“Sunday will be really interesting, and I want to stress that we do wish Jack all the very best, and it’s good that he’s back in the sport.
“But from our point of view, Connor (Mountain) is just a gem – he’s riding well, he’s full of confidence and it’s good for everybody.”
Brummies boss Laurence Rogers said: “The boys are in good spirits which is important and these are going to be two really important fixtures now.
“Everyone expected Cradley and their cherry-picked team to run away with this group, but their home loss at the start of the week has dealt them a blow already and now it’s down to us to capitalise and take things into our own hands.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
BUXTON are chasing their first win of the season as they host much-changed Cradley in the National Trophy today (Sunday).
The Hitmen welcome back David Wallinger and operate rider-replacement for Connor Coles, with Sam Woolley replacing the injured Corban Pavitt.
The Heathens give a debut to Chris Widman but are missing Adam Roynon, Bradley Andrews and Drew Kemp due to commitments elsewhere, with Joe Lawlor and James Chattin standing in.
Hitmen No.1 Ben Wilson said: “It is going to be an extremely tough meeting as Cradley are a very strong side and will be smarting after their home defeat against Coventry on Monday.
“We will be giving it our best shot, it’s good to see David returning to the side and if we can squeeze a couple of more points from the reserves then we will be right in the mix and who knows what might happen.”
Cradley manager Will Pottinger said: “We tried our best to switch dates with other clubs but it hasn’t been possible.
“Either clubs weren’t keen on switching, which is understandable if they were going to be missing riders too, or we’d still have been missing riders who would be racing elsewhere.
“So we’re missing a number of regular Cradley riders but we must pull together and work hard to achieve a good result. We won’t underestimate Buxton as we look to bounce back from Monday’s home defeat against Coventry.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
MILDENHALL welcome back Danny Halsey as they look to consolidate their National Trophy position at home to Plymouth today (Sunday).
Halsey has rejoined the Fen Tigers as a replacement for injured captain Jordan Jenkins, with rider-replacement in operation for Sam Bebee. The Devils also use that facility for the suspended James Cockle.
Mildenhall promoter Kevin Jolly said: “We go into this meeting with some confidence but certainly will not be taking Plymouth lightly.
“The lads are all pulling their weight and we are a match for anyone in our league; that said, we must not get over-confident and keep doing the same things that have seen us at the head of our group.
“There is a brilliant team spirit amongst them right now and this is vitally important as the season unfolds, they are all looking for big points and all have now settled into riding our track.
“Sunday should be a cracking good afternoon and, with the weather set fair we are hopeful of a big crowd.”
(FIXTURES)
SUNDAY MAY 27:
CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30
CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP 1st round 2nd leg: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Cradley 3pm, Coventry v Birmingham 3pm, Mildenhall v Plymouth 3pm
MONDAY MAY 28:
PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Leicester 12pm, Leicester v Belle Vue 7.30, Rye House v King’s Lynn 7.30, Swindon v Somerset 7.30, Wolverhampton v Poole 8pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Kent v Isle of Wight 3.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 30:
PREMIERSHIP: King’s Lynn v Somerset 7.30, Poole v Leicester 7.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Birmingham v Coventry 7.30
Results Saturday May 26, 2018
FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Round 2
CZECH REPUBLIC GRAND PRIX, Prague
1 Fredrik Lindgren (Swe)
2 Patryk Dudek (Pol)
3 Emil Sayfutdinov (Rus)
4 Tai Woffinden (GB)
STANDINGS after Round 2 of 10
1 Fredrik Lindgren (Swe) 32
2 Tai Woffinden (GB) 31
3 Patryk Dudek (Pol) 24
4 Maciej Janowski (Pol) 24
