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BIRMINGHAM have confirmed Nico Covatti has been ruled out of their plans for the 2014 season.Covatti was a member of the Brummies side who reached the Elite League Grand Final last year, and the Perry Barr club were hoping to loan him out to a Premier League team.Boss Graham Drury said: “The introduction of the rule where two National League British riders come in at reserve in the Elite League meant Nico would have to go into the top five and I don’t think he’s quite ready for it.“So I circulated his name to all Premier League clubs and in a bid to get him fixed up I also offered him loan-free. Unfortunately he was unable to agree a deal with a Premier League club and he has decided to stay at home.”
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RYE House promoter Len Silver has defended his club’s stance in naming Tyson Nelson as a signing before receiving confirmation that visa paperwork was fully in place.Nelson has now been ruled out of the Rockets’ plans and has been replaced by Mathieu Tresarrieu, but Silver insists the rejection of the Australian rider’s application came as a surprise.He said: “We had no reason to think that it was anything more than a ‘rubber stamp’ issue. We were not informed of a new edict issued from the Australian side which stated that there must be a twelve month gap between trips to UK under that particular sponsorship scheme. “At what point do you communicate your plans publicly to your supporters? Do you leave a ‘tbc’ in your line-up for what could potentially be a 2-3 month period when you don’t envisage a problem and have no reason to envisage one? I’m convinced we took the right approach on that.”
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NATIONAL League KO Cup holders Cradley will launch their defence of the trophy with a clash against rivals Mildenhall.The Heathens, who have reverted to their traditional name after four years as Dudley, have contested several items of silverware with the Fen Tigers and the clubs have now been drawn together in the second round.The sole first round tie sees newcomers Devon face Kent, with the winners then taking on Stoke, whilst the other round 2 clashes are between Scunthorpe and King’s Lynn, and Buxton and Coventry.Meanwhile dates have been confirmed for the National League’s major events. The Pairs takes place at Mildenhall on June 15, the Fours at Coventry on August 10, and the Riders’ Championship at Rye House on September 28.
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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2:WINTER CRACKER: Peterborough 12pm
