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FORMER World Champion Jan O Pedersen has pledged to find British riders for the future - and the 1991 title holder is ready to launch the British Speedway Academy.The scheme, which is being run in line with the government's action sports Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence initiative, will be officially launched this Autumn. It is open to anyone between the ages of 16 and 18, and has been officially approved by the BSPA and SCB.Fans and sponsors can get involved with full details on the academic and practical courses plus the supporters' membership scheme on http://www.speedwayacademy.co.uk/ .Pedersen said: As a Dane I am obviously aware of how successful my nation has been in producing riders through youth training and taking them to World individual titles and World Team Cup victories. British Speedway has needed a comparative structure for decades and I am pleased to play my part. I must stress that the scheme is not only open to riders in the sport's Under 16 (Youth) championship but riders from other motorcycle disciplines such as Motocross and Road Racing.(SPEEDWAY 2)
REDCAR manager Jitendra Duffill expects his side to still have strength at reserve despite the in-form Micky Dyers move up the riding order this month.The Bears have their new averages in force for Thursdays home clash with Somerset, who recorded a hefty away win when they visited Scunthorpe last week.Duffill said: Yes, it is going to be a tough one but we have a string of home victories and are confident of maintaining that run. Even though Micky moves up into the main body of the team we are guaranteed strength at reserve with Carl Wilkinson moving in the opposite direction and he will form a strong pairing in that position with Max Dilger as the other reserve. That could be crucial for points gathering on Thursday.
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SHEFFIELD have made major changes to their riding order for Thursdays home match against Berwick as they bid to end a disappointing run of form.Skipper Simon Stead is back from injury for the Tigers, who will pair Richard Hall and Ricky Wells in their middle order as they look for their first win since April 18.Sheffield promoter Neil Machin said: Everyone is under scrutiny but we have shown earlier this season that we can do well and thats what we want to get back to.It cant go on forever and we are giving riders plenty of time to turn things round. Things are too much on a wing and a prayer at the moment and we need stability and consistency.
(SPEEDWAY 4)
DUDLEY will take a 16-point lead to Buxton for the return of their National League KO Cup tie later this month after a 55-39 win in Tuesdays first leg.Paul Starke top-scored for the Heathens at Monmore Green on Tuesday with 16 whilst Gareth Isherwood was beaten only once in five rides, that defeat coming at the hands of the Hitmens No.1 Charles Wright (15).Dudley boss Will Pottinger said: We're really happy with how things went, and we looked a lot better than we did in our last home meeting where we threw a lot of points away."It was good to get another home meeting under our belt and we're looking forward to getting back on track against Coventry next Tuesday.
(SPEEDWAY 5)
STOKE boss Malcolm Vasey was unhappy with the Potters display in their 34-59 defeat at the Isle of Wight on Tuesday.Vasey took some encouragement from an improved show by No.1 Lee Smart in the National Trophy encounter with the competition leaders, but knows the side overall need to improve.Vasey said: The lads kept battling throughout the meeting but there is no hiding the fact that this was a disappointing performance and we must do better than this. One good thing that came out of the meeting was seeing Lee Smart back to the form we know he is capable of but other than that I am disappointed with tonights performance.(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Birmingham v Belle Vue 7.30NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kings Lynn v Buxton 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 6:PREMIER LEAGUE: Ipswich v Newcastle 7.30, Redcar v Somerset 7.30, Sheffield v Berwick 7.45
FRIDAY JUNE 7:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Kings Lynn 8pm, Lakeside v Poole 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Redcar 7.30, Plymouth v Glasgow 7.15, Somerset v Rye House 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 8:SKY SPORTS ELITE LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Wolverhampton 7.30PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Ipswich 7pm, Leicester v Glasgow 7.30, Rye House v Plymouth 7pm, Workington v Redcar 7pmNATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP 1st leg: Stoke v Kings Lynn 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 9:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Workington 3pm, Newcastle v Ipswich 6.30NATIONAL TROPHY: Buxton v Mildenhall 3pm
