BIG EVENT LATEST...

GREAT Britain boss Rob Lyon has thrown down the gauntlet to the riders in the British Final.Lyon says he has an idea what his team will be for next month's World Cup - but the June 14 showpiece event at Wolverhampton is likely to be the final chance riders will get to stake their claim.And he's refusing to make a prediction over who will make it to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on July 10 as the wildcard from the British Final.Said Lyon: "By the time Cardiff comes around we'll be right in the thick of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but my mind will be focussed on our own Speedway World Cup which begins a couple of weeks after that."I have a pretty good idea in my mind what my starting line-up will be for our opener at King's Lynn on Monday July 26, but it's still not too late for riders to show they are worthy of a place. They can do that at Wolverhampton in what is effectively 'the best of British' speedway talent."I think we're in for a treat. Wolverhampton is always a well-prepared track and over the years has produced some great racing."The lads will be fired up to put on a good show in front of the live Sky Sports cameras and many of them will be looking to make a late claim for one of the World Cup places I've already spoken about. Throw the Cardiff wild card into the pot and the small matter of being crowned British Champion and, we have all the ingredients for an exciting and no doubt dramatic couple of hours."The British Final will start with a run-off for the last spot in the meeting between Danny King and Richard Hall.And the highest scorer in the meeting apart from current SGP star Chris Harris will win a place at the British Grand Prix at Cardiff on Saturday, July 10.BRITISH FINAL DRAW - Wolverhampton, Monday June 14 (7.30):Andrew Tully, Chris Harris, Oliver Allen, Scott Nicholls, James Wright, Jason King, Paul Clews, Edward Kennett, Simon Stead, Lewis Bridger, Richard Hall or Danny King, Jordan Frampton, Ben Barker, Chris Schramm, Stuart Robson, Leigh Lanham.ELITE LEAGUE LATEST...

BELLE VUE manager Chris Morton issued a warning to his riders after a disappointing defeat at Swindon on Thursday continued a difficult run on the road for the Aces.The Aces went down to a 22-point defeat at the Abbey Stadium and Morton is demanding a response in their upcoming programme.He said: "We just weren't on it tonight. It was a very, very poor performance. We had a team talk after the meeting and they know that changes have got to be made."COVENTRY made it three wins out of three with a 49-46 victory over Swindon in an extraordinary Bank Holiday Monday meeting at Brandon, the new-look Bees - who now include both Krzysztof Kasprzak and Lewis Bridger - fighting back from 13-points down.Manager Alun Rossiter said: "It's the story of our season, one minute it's good and the next it's not - this time we started poorly, but we gained momentum."We had a chat early in the meeting, and I just said the conditions were the same for everyone and we just had to get the set-ups right and get everything organised. We did so, and I'm relieved to win it. Chris (Harris) did a great job, particularly in Heat 15."EASTBOURNE co-promoter Mike Bellerby is urging supporters to back the club's switch to Thursday night racing, with the first Elite League match of the club's new era taking place this week.Bellerby said: "The alarm bells aren't beginning to sound just yet, however, having put on what we believed to be an attractive fixture (last week) and a tremendous night of entertainment, we unfortunately sustained a substantial financial loss on the evening."Once again if I could urge our supporters to come and show their support for us against the Robins on Thursday, we really need a show of arms from both our riders and supporters as we bid to move our season forward - sadly we sustained something of a body blow financially in our last meeting, any sort of a repeat could prove damaging to our long term future here at Arlington."IPSWICH have parted company with Danish rider Claus Vissing, who leaves after a nightmare return to former club Peterborough on Monday where he failed to score. Experienced Czech Republic man Ales Dryml replaces him.Witches director Chris Louis said: "We were hoping for a good points return from Claus at Peterborough, a track he knows well, but we were very disappointed with his performance."We have decided to give Ales a chance to show us what he can do. He has been very interested in joining Ipswich for a number of years and his enthusiasm and keenness persuaded us to give him a run in the team in order to try and find some consistency in the number four slot which has been missing in recent weeks."LAKESIDE boss Jon Cook was delighted with his team's efforts in a 58-37 home win over Peterborough, with Adam Shields and Jonas Davidsson particularly impressive.Cook told the club's official website: "We had good racing tonight and fair play to Peterborough, they came here and had a good go - it will be really tight when they return to this track in August."It was a hard fought victory and we had a few mechanical gremlins to contend with but did very well to keep our momentum in the league going." PETERBOROUGH'S new French signing Mathieu Tresarrieu was the unlikely hero as the Panthers gained all three points in unlikely circumstances against Ipswich - including a Heat 13 defeat of Witches' No.1 Scott Nicholls.Tresarrieu said: "I hadn't been able to practice so didn't know which bike to use."I obviously picked the wrong one to start with because after I changed bikes I did well. It was special for me to make that sort of start and to beat someone like Scott on my debut was terrific."POOLE promoter Matt Ford is expecting the second round of Elite League matches to be much tougher for his table-topping side - starting with the visit of Belle Vue on Wednesday.Ford said: "As a team we did exceptionally well with the first round of matches here at Wimborne Road, I think we had an average of just over 60 points from them but to be honest that won't count for much as we move into the second half of the season. "We need to focus on each meeting as it comes and deal with the challenges that will undoubtedly present themselves. This will be our third encounter against Belle Vue this season and we have yet to see either Peter Karlsson or Hans Andersen produce the sort of form that they are renowned for." SWINDON manager Ronnie Russell admitted to very mixed emotions after the Robins took a point from a 49-46 defeat at Coventry - despite holding a 13-point lead early in the meeting.Russell told the Swindon Advertiser: "When we started I thought we had taken up where we left off against Belle Vue. I couldn't see Coventry coming back, to swing it around like that was incredible."The only saving grace is that we came out of it with a point. At least we didn't throw it away completely and come away with nothing."WOLVERHAMPTON star Adam Skornicki enjoyed a dream return to the team after a seven-month injury absence, racing to paid maximum in the big win over Eastbourne on Monday.Skornicki said: "I was really pleased to be asked back into the team and the fans made me feel welcome back at the club. I loved it to be honest."I was so pleased with my performance and I don't remember the last time I put so many starts together in one night, I guess I got lucky!"

PREMIER LEAGUE LATEST...

BERWICK co-owner John Anderson was a satisfied man after an impressive team performance saw the Bandits overcome Somerset on Saturday.Anderson said: "This was another great example of the Bandits pulling together as a single-team unit. Satisfactory from top to bottom and deserved the big win."BIRMINGHAM owner Gary Patchett has hailed the club's Sunday Funday promotion, which attracted many new supporters to Perry Barr, as a massive success.Patchett said: "When I looked around the stadium it was very rewarding to see kids with a smile on their face enjoying the racing and all the entertainment that went with it. We had a great crowd and it was certainly an exercise which gave me food for thought for the future."EDINBURGH boss John Campbell had high praise for free-scoring reserve Kalle Katajisto after a big win at Scunthorpe on Monday - a venue where several other title contenders have left pointless this season.Campbell said: "It was a great result against a team who have been strong at home. It was a team performance but  Kalle was exceptional once again."GLASGOW No.1 Travis McGowan scored his first maximum in Tigers' colours, overcoming former favourite Shane Parker to collect a full 15-pointer in Sunday's 47-43 win over Somerset.KING'S LYNN will face two former Stars in Chris Schramm and Rusty Harrison when Workington visit the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday.Manager Rob Lyon said: "Andre Compton can also have his moments here when in the mood and Craig Cook and Richard Lawson were very impressive here on their last visit, that just leaves Kildemand who is a bit of unknown quantity but has proved pretty handy on various tracks so far this season."NEWCASTLE are hopeful that reserve Adam McKinna is not ruled out of action for a significant spell, having seemingly escaped with no broken bones from a heavy crash in the weekend win over Stoke.Manager George English said: "It was a fraught night for all concerned and we will be monitoring the injured riders closely as news comes out on their condition, particularly frustrating for Adam who had just found his form once more. Stoke did well to peg us back to what they did with only four fit riders and congratulations should go to them for their efforts."NEWPORT suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Workington at the Hayley Stadium on Sunday, meaning they have now lost six of their opening Premier League fixtures this season.REDCAR are hopeful of turning around a disappointing run of results when Newport visit the South Tees Motorsport Park on Thursday, with the Bears hoping to take advantage of the Wasps' lack of track knowledge.Manager Jitendra Duffill said: "'We have got to press home that advantage while the newcomers are settling down and attempt to build a reasonable lead that we can hold onto. I don't believe that Leigh Lanham has ridden at the Motorpark and with Kyle Legault absent from the Wasps line-up that only leaves Craig Watson who has seen our track before."RYE HOUSE retain the only unbeaten league record this season with seven wins from seven outings, the Rockets holding on to top spot in the Premier League table with a comfortable Bank Holiday win over Workington headed up by a five-ride maximum for Linus Sundstrom.SCUNTHORPE boss Richard Hollingsworth had no complaints after seeing the Scorpions' impressive home run ended by an impressive Edinburgh side on Bank Holiday Monday.Hollingsworth said: "We were riding a great team and on the day they were better. It certainly doesn't do anyone any good if I start picking holes in everyone's performance. Riders are rarely happy unless they are scoring maximums and you can see the anger and disappointment in their eyes."  SHEFFIELD remain hopeful that Ricky Ashworth will be fit to race in Thursday's vital Premier League clash with Birmingham, after his accident at Perry Barr on Sunday.Ashworth said: "It won't correct itself overnight because there is probably some ligament damage within the wrist so I just have to be careful with it but if I can race at all then I will of course. I can make my decision as late as I want because the only alternative is the rider-replacement facility."STOKE have been boosted by news of Jason Bunyan's return this weekend with Adam Roynon set for a spell on the sidelines (broken ankle) and concerns over Taylor Poole's fitness.Potters boss Dave Tattum said: "I'm delighted to have Jason back in the side. He is influential both on and off the track and has been sorely missed by the club."SOMERSET are hopeful that their two injured riders, Cory Gathercole and James Holder, will be fit to play some part in this week's racing.Gathercole has a shoulder injury and Holder has damage to his collarbone, with the Rebels travelling to Birmingham on Wednesday and facing Stoke at home on Friday.WORKINGTON boss Ian Thomas admitted the Comets had missed their target from a busy Bank Holiday programme, despite a big away win at Newport.Thomas told getnoticedonline.co.uk : "We've had three matches in three days and I have to be honest and say I was looking for seven points. From that perspective it's disappointing that we only managed four. But I must single out Rusty Harrison for special praise. He's scored thirty points in the three matches and has really been a star despite all the travelling and the pressure it puts on the rider and the machinery." NATIONAL LEAGUE action continues and you can find all relevant news, reports and other information in the NL section on speedwaygb.com

FIXTURE PICTURE...

WEDNESDAY JUNE 2:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Somerset 7.30, King's Lynn v Workington 7.30THURSDAY JUNE 3:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Swindon 7.45, Peterborough v Lakeside 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Newport 7.30, Sheffield v Birmingham 7.45

FRIDAY JUNE 4:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Eastbourne 8pm PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30, Scunthorpe v Newport 7.30, Somerset v Stoke 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Weymouth v Buxton 7.15 NATIONAL TROPHY: Plymouth v Isle of Wight 7.30

SATURDAY JUNE 5:PREMIER LEAGUE: Stoke v Birmingham 7.30, Workington v Newcastle 7pm PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 2nd leg: Rye House v Edinburgh 7pm

SUNDAY JUNE 6:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Scunthorpe 4pm, Newport v Berwick 2.30 PREMIER TROPHY SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Newcastle v King's Lynn 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Mildenhall 5pm

MONDAY JUNE 7:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Coventry 7.30, Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30TUESDAY JUNE 8:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Buxton 7.30

WEDNESDAY JUNE 9:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Ipswich 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: King's Lynn v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Dudley v Plymouth (at Birmingham) 7.30

THURSDAY JUNE 10:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Poole 7.45, Ipswich v Wolverhampton 7.30 ELITE LEAGE KO CUP QUARTER-FINAL 1st leg: Swindon v Peterborough 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Redcar v Glasgow 7.30

FRIDAY JUNE 11:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pm ELITE LEAGUE KO CUP QUARTER-FINAL 2nd leg: Peterborough v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Dudley 7.30, Weymouth v Rye House 7.15

SATURDAY JUNE 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Glasgow 7pm, Rye House v Newcastle 2pmSUNDAY JUNE 13:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Redcar 4pm, Newcastle v Rye House 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Rye House 3pm NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP: King's Lynn v Bournemouth 7pm

MONDAY JUNE 14:BRITISH FINAL: Wolverhampton 7.30

TUESDAY JUNE 15:NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Newport 7.30

WEDNESDAY JUNE 16:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Ipswich 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Birmingham v Stoke 7.30