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GREAT Britain are set to launch their World Cup campaign with a pre-season training camp in Croatia next month.Up to 15 senior riders will be accompanied by national manager Alun Rossiter and representatives from the Poultec speedway apprenticeship scheme on the trip to former Grand Prix venue Gorican in early March.The three-day schedule will include fitness work, nutritional advice and extensive track time.And with Under-21 boss Neil Vatcher also taking a party of junior and Youth riders to Macon, France later this month, it means British riders are to enjoy their best preparation for a new season in many years.Rossiter said: “I’ve been in dialogue with the BSPA over plans for winter training since last year’s World Cup, and I would like to thank them for their support.“It’s been clear for some time that our riders do tend to struggle when they get to major events on big, Continental tracks, and a lot of that is down to set-ups.“This will give us some quality time together as a group, and the riders have all been very positive about the idea.“Obviously the World Cup is in the UK this year and we’re very much looking forward to Belle Vue, but this will also benefit those riders who are involved in individual World Championship and other FIM events.“Together with the excellent work Neil is doing with the youngsters, I’m delighted we’re taking this step forward, and it’s something which other nations are used to doing in the build-up to the season.“Once again my thanks to the Management Committee for their co-operation with these plans, and also to Olly Allen for organising Poultec’s involvement to help the riders with off-track matters.”

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CARL Wilkinson has been added to the list of Elite Draft riders ahead of the 2016 season.All eight clubs have agreed to the addition after a number of the original Tier 1 list declared themselves unavailable for various reasons.Now the experienced Wilkinson becomes available to clubs after joining as a permanent Elite Draft rider.Neil Vatcher, the Elite Draft co-ordinator, said: “The feeling amongst the Elite League is that after a number of quality British riders had dropped out from the original list, there was not enough quality remaining for any club to introduce a Tier 1 rider if they had to re-declare their team at any time.“Carl Wilkinson's pedigree as a Premier League rider was of the same ilk as many of the already listed Tier 1 riders and it was felt that he fitted the criteria to be added to the list.“I would like to go on record to thank all eight clubs for their prompt help and assistance in this matter.”

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BELLE Vue are to host defending champions Poole in the first televised Elite League fixture of the new season.The Aces will take on the Pirates at the new National Speedway Stadium in a repeat of last year’s Grand Final, with the meeting broadcast by Sky Sports on Wednesday March 30.The meeting moves forward from the originally scheduled date of Friday April 15, whilst a new date is also to be agreed for the Belle Vue v Swindon fixture previously set for Friday April 1.

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KING’S Lynn have now confirmed the signing of Carl Wilkinson as an Elite Draft Rider for the coming season.Wilkinson comes into the Stars’ line-up to replace Simon Lambert, who has relinquished his place in the side due to a series of fixture clashes with his Premier League club Peterborough, having several sponsorship deals in that area.King’s Lynn manager Rob Lyon said: “After the complications with Simon, we looked at the draft list and there weren't any realistic options available to us. We asked for Carl to be included on the list and thankfully the other seven clubs were co-operative in that process.“As we saw last season, Carl is a maximum effort racer and I am sure he will play his part in bringing the entertainment factor back to the Adrian Flux Arena. He was keen to join the club and we are pleased that he will be a Star in 2016.”