THE qualifying riders for the Premier League Riders’ Championship at Sheffield on Sunday September 22 have been confirmed.The Owlerton event, which gets underway at 5pm (gates open 3.15pm), is always one of the most popular and best-attended meetings on the domestic calendar, and will feature a title defence from Edinburgh’s Craig Cook.Each of the 13 Premier League clubs will be represented by their top available rider based on current declarations, with Ben Barker (Ipswich) and Simon Stead (Sheffield) ruled out by injury.

The remaining three places go to the next three highest-averaged riders in the Premier League, subject to a maximum of two representatives per club. This means supporters of Somerset, Workington and Edinburgh will each have two riders to cheer.Sheffield co-promoter David Hoggart said: “It’s a very impressive field, and with the Sheffield No.1 currently out injured it looks to be a wide-open event with no serious home track advantage.

“We’ve recently seen riders such as Craig Cook, Richie Worrall and Jason Doyle excelling in both leagues, and they will be joint-favourites for the title but there are several others who could spring a surprise.”Admission prices for the showpiece event are unchanged from last year – adults £20, concessions £15, children (12-16) £5 and under-12s free – and any remaining re-admission tickets from the 2012 rained-off event will be honoured.Sheffield’s famous carvery restaurant will also be open and supporters are strongly advised to book their tables in advance by contacting the club on 0114 285 3142.

PLRC QUALIFERS: Sebastian Alden (Berwick), Craig Cook (Edinburgh), Dakota North (Glasgow), Morten Risager (Ipswich), Magnus Karlsson (Leicester), Richie Worrall (Newcastle), Mikkel Bech (Plymouth), Micky Dyer (Redcar), Olly Allen (Rye House), Josh Auty (Scunthorpe), Ricky Wells (Sheffield), Jason Doyle (Somerset), Richard Lawson (Workington), Nick Morris (Somerset), Rene Bach (Workington), Theo Pijper (Edinburgh).