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JASON Doyle, one of the stars of Swindon's last Elite League title three years ago, is on his way back to the Robins for the 2016 season.Aussie ace Doyle has spent the past two seasons with Leicester but has now decided on a return to Wiltshire and rejoins his parent club on a 9.44 average.Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said: “We are delighted to welcome Doyley back to the Abbey, he provides us with a superb spearhead.“He's clearly one of the best riders in the league and it's a great move for us to bring him back to Swindon. We've spoken a lot and we are both excited by the season ahead, it's a great boost to our team building.”(SPEEDWAY 2)
SWEDISH star Freddie Lindgren will be back in Wolverhampton colours in 2016.Lindgren, 30, has finalised a deal to return for his 13th season with the club as he aims to bounce back from a tough 2015 campaign in which he saw his average drop to 6.11He said: “It was always my intention to come back to Wolves, and I’m glad everything has been finalised.“Last season was disappointing for both myself and the club, but I’m determined to try and make sure next year is much better. The race format is really tough for heat-leaders now as I found out last year, but it’s a challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”(SPEEDWAY 3)
POOLE have moved to hand Australian talent Brady Kurtz his debut in Elite League racing next season.The Pirates have been extensively linked with the younger of the racing brothers, who will line up for the reigning champions on a converted 5.24 average.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “I don't think it will come as a major surprise to anyone that Brady is part of our outfit for 2016. We have had a gentleman's agreement that when he was ready to move up in to the Elite League then we would find a team place for him and I am absolutely thrilled that it has at last come to fruition.“I see this very much a long-term arrangement too as I firmly believe he can carve out a great career for himself with our club and it is my intention to keep him at Poole for as long as possible. I regard him, as do many of my peers, as an outstanding talent.”
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LEICESTER promoter David Hemsley admits the departure of No.1 and captain Jason Doyle is a major blow to the club.The Australian has rejoined parent club Swindon after two successful seasons at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium, leaving the Lions to work on alternatives.Hemsley said: “We are saddened to see Jason leave as he has grown into a world class rider whilst at Leicester and a true leader of the team. “There was always the possibility that at some stage he would leave as loan arrangements cannot go on infinitum. Jason’s diary of meetings has grown considerably following his success at international level so it is understandable that if he can rearrange his working week in respect of travel to ensure that he arrives at a stadium refreshed and ready to give his very best then that has to be of prime importance to him. “That said, we as a club have invested a great deal of time and effort in helping Jason negotiate his way through the process of obtaining his UK visa to enable him to work so the news that he is leaving Leicester is a disappointment to us.”
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DATES have been agreed for Poole and Coventry to contest the Elite Shield at the start of the 2016 season.The Pirates are reigning Elite League champions and Shield holders, whilst the Bees were runners-up in the regular standings this year. The two sides will meet at Wimborne Road on Wednesday March 16 with the return at Brandon 48 hours later on March 18.Poole promoter Matt Ford said: “We have won this competition in three of the four past seasons and we will be very keen to retain it again. “Once the early calendar begins to take shape then you know that the season is drawing ever nearer and our opening fixture is just about 18 weeks away.”Coventry co-promoter Neil Watson said: “We’re pleased to have agreed these dates quickly and it should make for an excellent start to the new season.“There’s always plenty of rivalry between the clubs, so that will be renewed at an early stage and I’m sure we’ll both be keen to kick the season off with some silverware.”
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BRITISH Youth racer Harry McGurk made a successful trip to Holland last weekend - winning the Dutch 125cc Open Championship.The 11-year-old, who was accompanied by parents Mark and Emma competed on recently-purchased new engines and registered a terrific overall victory.British Youth chief Neil Vatcher said: “Several of the riders were a lot older and most certainly bigger that Harry, but with true Yorkshire Grit Harry was not fazed by the opposition and claimed the Dutch Championship. “Many congratulations to Harry, who it would be fair to say was unlucky back in the summer not to have won the British Championship, so in some way this was some consolation for the likeable 11-year-old.”
