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GREAT Britain boss Alun Rossiter is relishing the prospect of working with World Champion Tai Woffinden again at this summer's Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup.Rossiter says he understands Woffinden’s decision to pull out of defending his British title this season, but he will still be an integral part of GB’s efforts to win the Ove Fundin Trophy at Belle Vue on July 30.Rossiter said: “The timing probably isn’t brilliant because of some of the negativity that’s around at the moment, but in fairness I do back him.“The Australians don’t always do their national series. Over the years the likes of Chris Holder, Jason Crump and Leigh Adams have all opted out at times. “People will say ‘don’t pick him’ but just look at him scoring 21 points in Vojens last year. Managers are always judged on results in sport, speedway is no different, and if you start getting beaten and bashed up, people start calling for your head and it’s no different in my game.“It’s the same scenario with Scott Nicholls. He’s now put himself back in the frame for GB, and if he’s going right at the time, I’d be a mug not to pick him.“Last year, because Tai isn’t based here any more, he had one bike here and he used his fiancee’s brother’s bike as a second bike. There are logistics and costs which add up here.“At the end of the day I’m judged on performances and results. I will pick him all the time – he’s the current World Champion, and I think he’s done much more good than harm for the sport in this country.“It would be nice if Tai was in the British Final, I do get the frustration, but I very much see his point of view as well – and, as I say, I’d be mad not to pick him with what he brings to the track and the team. The captain’s got my backing."
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EASTBOURNE have signed Ellis Perks with a new No.1 also set to follow as the club re-build following the broken leg suffered by Kyle Hughes on Good Friday.Perks guested for the Eagles in their Easter Monday win at Coventry, and comes in to replace Ben Hopwood who has been released.Club director Connor Dugard said: “We have introduced Ellis and had to drop Ben to free up some points so that we can have a higher average No.1.“I had to call Ben and frankly I felt sick. It was purely a numbers games and unfortunately that is what speedway is. It is never an easy job telling someone that it's the end of the line for them but last year I vowed to the fans that I would put out a team that can challenge for honours.”
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SOMERSET have arranged a special challenge match for Friday at the Oaktree Arena where they will host a Plymouth Select.Rebels promoter Debbie Hancock says she wants to put on a meeting for the Devils riders who have been left waiting for news of their future after their promotion pulled out of the Premier League last week.She said: “Plymouth’s current plight is well documented, and here at Somerset we felt that with their riders being left in a state of limbo as they wait to see what happens, it would be good to arrange this challenge match in order that the Plymouth riders can have some competitive laps and earn themselves a bit of money in the process.“The only doubt for the Plymouth septet is Kyle Newman as he might be required to go to Poland for some training with his Polish club, but apart from possibly Kyle, we will have a full strength Plymouth team coming, and hopefully the Plymouth fans will travel up in force to give their team the support they deserve.”
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FORMER Mildenhall favourite Josh Bates has taken a booking for the West Row season-opener on Sunday.Bates, who won the British Under-21 Final in 2014 whilst racing for the club, has joined the line-up for the Fen Fours as Cameron Heeps is now required to ride in a re-arranged meeting for Rye House.Mildenhall chief Kevin Jolly said: “We moved quickly once we knew the situation with Cameron, and I am grateful to Josh for stepping in. He has been one of the most exciting racers at Mildenhall since I have been involved with the club and I am sure, like me, our supporters will look forward to seeing him back on Sunday.“He is riding for Sheffield at Ipswich on Saturday and the deal was soon struck with someone kindly coming forward to provide hotel accommodation for him on Saturday evening. “I wanted to do the best for our sponsors by getting a high-quality replacement in and feel I have achieved this with Josh now joining us on Sunday.”(FIXTURES)
THURSDAY MARCH 31:ELITE LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Belle Vue 7.30, Swindon v Coventry 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Sheffield v Peterborough 7.30TYNE/TEES TROPHY 1st leg: Redcar v Newcastle 7.30
FRIDAY APRIL 1:ELITE LEAGUE: Coventry v Wolverhampton 7.30, Lakeside v Leicester 8pmLEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Scunthorpe 7.30TRICENNIAL TROPHY: Edinburgh v Belle Vue 7.30CHALLENGE: Somerset Select v Plymouth Select 7.30
SATURDAY APRIL 2: ELITE LEAGUE: Leicester v Lakeside 7.30 LEAGUE CUP: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30TWEED/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Berwick v Redcar 7pm
SUNDAY APRIL 3:LEAGUE CUP: Glasgow v Edinburgh 3pm, Rye House v Somerset 3pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Rye House v Kent (follows LC fixture)TYNE/TEES TROPHY 2nd leg: Newcastle v Redcar 6.30BORDER TROPHY 2nd leg: Workington v Berwick 7.30FENLAND FOURS: Mildenhall 3.30
