(SPEEDWAY 1)

WOLVERHAMPTON skipper Freddie Lindgren has agreed a return to Monmore for their top-flight title defence in 2017.Swedish star Lindgren will lead the club in the SGB Premiership, starting the year in the No.1 spot on a 10.09 average.He said: “When I made the decision that I wanted to come back and race in England, my obvious choice was Wolverhampton.“That was always my first choice, it’s the club I’ve always ridden for in England and I’ve always enjoyed my time there.“I’m happy to have been able to agree a deal with the promotion at Wolves, and I’m happy to return again next year.“Last season was a good one for me, but the plan is to keep that going and my aim is to have an even better year in 2017.”(SPEEDWAY 2)SGB Premiership newcomers Rye House have pulled off the signing of seven-time British Champion Scott Nicholls.The former title-winner with Ipswich and Coventry joins the Rockets on a 9.23 average having spent the last three seasons with Belle Vue, who reached the top-flight Grand Final in both 2015 and 2016.Nicholls said: “I’m really excited to be here because of the plans that Team BMR have and the outlook that they have.“It’s also good from a personal perspective to have a change of scene and new faces to work with. It helps to keep you fresh and enthusiastic.“I had three good years at Belle Vue, although I feel I will be coming into 2017 on a bit of a false average. I never really found the speed at the new National Stadium, and yet I had what I think was the fourth highest away average in the League!”

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PETERBOROUGH have handed Kenneth Hansen a long-awaited return - and immediately challenged him to become their number one star.The popular Danish racer becomes the first name on the Panthers' SGB Championship teamsheet for 2017 as he arrives on a 6.74 average, seven years after his last spell with the club.Team manager Carl Johnson said: “Kenneth is a firm favourite with many of our fans and I have to admit he is a favourite of mine too.“He is a crowd-pleaser whose professionalism is second to none and whose passion is infectious - and he jumped at the chance to ride for Peterborough again.“We've had glimpses of what he can do again in the last couple of seasons while guesting for us and riding against us, and we're all looking forward to working with him for a full season.“There is no doubt in my mind that he is on an absolute steal of an average and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if he were to become our number one pretty quickly.”

(SPEEDWAY 4)

SHEFFIELD have confirmed the signing of talented British youngster Jack Parkinson-Blackburn for next season.The West Yorkshire racer was snapped up as a club asset during last season - but he's now landed a team place in the new-look SGB Championship having helped Birmingham to the National League title this year.Parkinson-Blackburn said: “I started coming to Sheffield when I was a baby so to now sign for them as a rider is amazing.“It's a proud moment and a huge achievement - but now I start focusing on my team place for next year.“I gained a lot of confidence this season and I think I am more than capable of holding my own in the Championship.“It will be another learning curve for me but I'm confident I will settle in pretty well and hopefully I can bang in some good scores consistently.”