(SPEEDWAY 1)
GREAT Britain’s Stefan Nielsen competes in the first round of the World Under-21 Final at Lonigo, Italy on Saturday.Nielsen qualified for the Final after a run-off, also in Italy, with home favourite Paco Castagna in his semi-final, and is now looking to become GB’s first medal winner in the competition since Chris Harris finished runner-up in 2003.Nielsen said: “I know none of these races will be easy, as it is now the best 16 riders at junior level from across the world all aiming to be a World Champion, but I am very excited about competing in these three events.“I know that I will learn so much and it will be great experience for me, and help me continue up the speedway ladder.“My ultimate goal is to go into every race and give it my all, and anyone who knows me knows that I will be giving 100 per cent every inch of the way.“If come the end of round 3 there is the possibility of claiming a medal then that would be fantastic, but I will enjoy the occasions and learn from them, and ultimately riding in these competitions makes you a better rider.“I have so many people to thank for making it possible for me to compete in these World Finals, and the support and backing that I have had from the British Speedway public has been unreal.”Stefan would especially like to thank: Billy and David Constance from Cunningham Motors; James Easter at Travel Plus; Gary Drinkwater at City Gearboxes; Stonefield Farm Shop; Poole Promoter Gordon Pairman; The BSPA and SCB for their support and help; Mitas Tyres; his support team and mechanics who without them none of this would be possible; Steen, Chris Strong, Strawb and girlfriend Becki Rogers; GB Youth Boss Neil Vatcher.He concluded: “Finally I’d like to thank all the British Speedway Supporters who have sponsored me with donations, too many to mention but you all know who you are, and I really do appreciate all your kind support.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
SWINDON have confirmed Darcy Ward will make his debut in their Elite League match at Leicester on Saturday.Ward’s suspension from all speedway for failing an alcohol test at last year’s Latvian Grand Prix expired at the end of June, and he quickly agreed a deal to join the Robins in place of former No.1 Adrian Miedzinski.Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “We haven't really had an out-and-out No.1 all season and hopefully bringing Darcy in will change that because everybody knows what he can do on a bike. “I'm sure he'll do well and he'll be an important rider for us over the next few months but don't expect him to go out and bang in fifteen points on Saturday. People have got to be realistic; he's done laps and he looks very quick but he's been out for a long time and it will take him a few meetings to get back up to speed.”
(SPEEDWAY 3 - THURSDAY REVIEW)
IPSWICH moved into the top six of the Premier League with a convincing 58-35 home win over a depleted Rye House side at Foxhall.PL Pairs winners Danny King (13) and Rohan Tungate (12+1) led the way for the Witches, whilst Edward Kennett (17) picked up almost half of the Rockets’ points on his own.Ipswich boss Phil Hilton said: “That turned out as expected: a predictable win over a depleted side. Positives for us were that Cam (Heeps) is getting more race fit with each meeting and the reserves performed well again. “We need to build on this and bring something back from Berwick at the weekend. I also have to say that Edward Kennett did a superb job for Rye House and with their two Swedes here the racing and result would have been much closer.”Rye House boss John Sampford said: “Edward gave a simply wonderful display tonight, but we were always going to be really up against it with three National League riders in the team.“It was also a very grippy track tonight – more so than usual – but the boys got stuck in and gave it their all. I have got no arguments about their effort.”Sheffield were emphatic 56-36 winners at home to Berwick, with Jason Garrity scoring a 12-point maximum and Josh Bates piling up paid-15 at reserve.And following the meeting, co-promoter Damien Bates confirmed a new rider is set to join the club with further news to follow over the coming days.Bates said: “I can confirm we are very close to finalising arrangements with a new rider as a replacement for Ashley Birks. “The rider concerned wants to come to Sheffield but it's not logistically possible for him to be here until next week, so hopefully over the next few days we will have some news.”Meanwhile Redcar overturned a mid-meeting ten point deficit to defeat Somerset 48-45 at the Media Prime Arena, with Matej Kus top scoring on 14.
(SPEEDWAY 4 - FRIDAY PREVIEW)
COVENTRY boss Gary Havelock says there will be no complacency in his side as the Elite League leaders take on Wolverhampton in a local derby at Brandon. Havelock has switched Chris Harris to the No.1 position for the Bees in a change with Hans Andersen, whilst Wolves bring in Ashley Morris at reserve with Josh Bates unavailable.Havelock said: “It’s a match we should win, but we certainly won’t be taking Wolves lightly. In any sport, that’s an absolute no-no - if you under-estimate your opponents, they can come and bite you hard.“The change in riding order is something I’ve been thinking about for a while, especially at home, and I’ve spoken to the boys about it. Bomber said he’d ride anywhere we wanted him too, he doesn’t mind going at No.1, and we know Hans has had a few issues with engines, so I felt just swapping them would be the least disruptive.”Wolves star Ricky Wells said: “We are on a bad run, we know we are struggling and it’s frustrating but the whole team are trying their hardest and doing everything they can.“We are probably trying too hard if anything at the moment, we are over-riding at times and making mistakes which is costing us. We’ve got the talent in the team, we know we can do it so we just have to work through it and keep moving forward.”Meanwhile fourth-placed Belle Vue visit Lakeside - and skipper Scott Nicholls is keen to see a repeat of their hard-fought away win at Purfleet from earlier in the season.Both sides call on the services of guests due to injuries and unavailability with Piotr Swiderski, Davey Watt and Ben Morley in for the Hammers, whilst Kevin Doolan, Grzegorz Zengota and Kyle Hughes line up for the Aces.Nicholls said: “In our last meeting down there, in all fairness, we went into the evening thinking we were under strength and although I had a shocker of a night we still managed to pull off quite a dramatic win.“We’re in a similar situation on this occasion but we have to go into these matches in a positive frame of mind because if we don’t it’s game over before we’ve even turned a wheel.”In the Premier League, leaders Peterborough will make late decisions over the participation of two key riders in their top-versus-bottom clash at Scunthorpe.Teen sensation Robert Lambert is a major doubt for the Panthers’ visit to the Eddie Wright Raceway after crashing out of their televised triumph at Berwick on Wednesday, and in-form Danish ace Michael Palm Toft is battling to overcome a bout of illness in time to face one of his former clubs. The Panthers have placed Rohan Tungate and Adam Roynon on stand-by to guest along with Matej Kus, who replaces Lewis Blackbird due to his Elite League commitment for Wolves.Scunthorpe, meanwhile, bring in Thomas Jorgensen to guest for Josh Auty who needs to take a further week out with his hand injury, but Ryan Douglas does return.Scorpions promoter Rob Godfrey said: “The weather looks like it's going to be fabulous all evening, and we're set for a great night of racing. “It may be bottom vs top, but our riders will be out there, giving it their all, and looking to upset Peterborough's fine away run of results. I think it will be a terrific night of speedway.”Panthers co-boss Carl Johnson said: “It doesn’t look like there is any long-term damage, but (Robert) took a hell of a bang to his hip and we don’t want him to risk having to pull out during the meeting if he is not right.“The same goes for Michael as well after he fell ill while back in Denmark. We need every rider at 100 per cent in every meeting and we have a couple of very capable guests waiting to step in if required.”The teams in third and fourth places clash at Armadale as champions Edinburgh host Sheffield.The Monarchs bring in Liam Carr at reserve as Rob Branford is not fit to resume after a shoulder injury, whilst Sheffield have booked Aaron Summers for the injured Simon Stead whilst Cameron Heeps replaces the unavailable Jason Garrity.In the Travel Plus Tours KO Cup, Somerset take on close rivals Plymouth at the Oaktree Arena in the first of two clashes in two nights between the clubs.Former Somerset man Nick Morris stands in for Rebels’ No.1 Brady Kurtz as the latter is away on World Under-21 duty, with Edward Kennett booked for the second leg.Somerset boss Garry May: “I don’t like to set targets as to what sort of lead I would like us to take from the first leg and that can always come back to bite you, so we’ll just see what Friday night brings us and take it from there when we go back down to Plymouth the following evening.”King’s Lynn asset Lewis Rose will make a return to the Young Stars’ team for Friday’s home fixture with touring side Team Fritte.Rose replaces the injured James Cockle, and boss Dale Allitt said: “I think it is great that Tom (P Madsen) has brought a team over to the UK. Development in Denmark is very good and it is something we as a nation need to be looking at. In the future I would like us take a team over there and do the same.“Friday’s meeting will be good for our boys and having Lewis at No.1 will make us that bit stronger. Although it is a challenge, we want to win and bounce back from Wednesday’s defeat to Birmingham.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
LUKE Bowen is to return to the Rye House team from this Sunday’s Travel Plus Tours KO Cup tie with Berwick at Hoddesdon.Bowen last rode for the Rockets on Easter Monday before deciding to take a break from the sport, and he now resumes his spot at the expense of early-season signing Dan Greenwood.Rockets boss John Sampford said: “Luke has been a backbone of the club for so long, and it is great to see him back. He feels fresh and ready to race again, and although we are not going to put any pressure on him, we all know what he is capable of - and also the boost he will provide to the team just by being there.“Dan has put his heart and soul into his time at Rye House, but unfortunately he has struggled for points. We truly thank him for his efforts, and truly hope that there is an opportunity to see him back here when his career has developed further.”
(SPEEDWAY 6)
WORKINGTON have confirmed the signing of Matt Williamson in time for their home clash with Newcastle on Saturday.Williamson has made recent guest appearances for the Comets but is now named as a full member of their team, replacing Danish rider Nicki Barrett.Manager Tony Jackson said: “This is a great opportunity for Matt, who has shown on his guest appearances for us that he is a fast starter and he can certainly pick up points from the gate.“He is very keen to do well for us and obviously the rest of the team will give him every bit of help that they can.”
(FIXTURES)
FRIDAY JULY 10:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pmPREMIER LEAGUE: Edinburgh v Sheffield 7.30, Scunthorpe v Peterborough 7.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30CHALLENGE: King’s Lynn v Team Fritte 7.30
SATURDAY JULY 11:ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Swindon 7.30 PREMIER LEAGUE: Berwick v Ipswich 7pm, Workington v Newcastle 7pmTRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Plymouth v Somerset 7.15CITY GEARBOXES NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 12:PREMIER LEAGUE: Glasgow v Workington 3pm, Newcastle v Sheffield 6.30TRAVEL PLUS TOURS KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Rye House v Berwick 5pm CHALLENGE: Mildenhall v Team Fritte 3.30
