(SPEEDWAY 1)
GREAT Britain will be represented by Robert Lambert, Adam Ellis and Josh Bates in the 2017 FIM World Under-21 Championship.
The trio have been selected by Young Lions boss Neil Vatcher and will be in semi-final action on Saturday, May 20 with Lambert and Ellis heading to Eskilstuna, Sweden and Bates travelling to Terenzano in Italy.
The same three riders will be joined by teenage sensation Dan Bewley to make up the Great Britain side for the Under-21 World Team Cup, with Ellis Perks named as reserve. Their semi-final takes place at Pocking, Germany on June 3.
Vatcher explained: “Some of the decision making as youth boss is not always easy, but it’s fair to say when I was told we only had three places there was not too much to think about.
“Robert, Adam and Josh would be the undisputed top three at this stage and they would always be the first pick to have another crack at the World Under-21 title.
“If the three allocations for the individual was easy, then making the decision for the five riders who would represent GB in the team event was not one that was easily made. Of course Lambert, Ellis and Bates would have a spot but the remaining two places caused me a few sleepless nights.
“It is no secret how highly rated Bewley is, and he does not fear anyone which is a massive bonus. His form this year in all three leagues, and especially the Premiership, has been fantastic.
“When I spoke with Ellis Perks, he was delighted and proud to represent his country, and even though he is not guaranteed any rides, he will be a massive part of the team and will be ready if called upon.
“I believe this is the strongest team we have had for a number of years and we are all looking forward to the 3rd June in Pocking, Germany, where we will be going all out to qualify for our first World Under 21 Team Cup Final since 2010.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
WOLVERHAMPTON stretched their SGB Premiership lead with a 62-28 demolition of Somerset at Monmore Green on Monday.
The hosts made it it seven wins from as many home outings in all competitions this season while equalling the 34-point winning margin achieved against Ipswich back in April 2007.
Fredrik Lindgren and Jacob Thorssell weighed in with full maximums as Peter Adams’s men seized control from Heat 1, and did not suffer a single last place throughout the meeting.
Two of the Rebels’ four race wins were provided by Paul Starke, who along with Patrick Hougaard scored seven points.
Adams said: “We had too much strength for them in every department. I expected us to win comfortably tonight and so it proved.
“It was very satisfying and I had not been aware of the record so that was a nice feather in our cap. We have been close to hitting 60 points recently having managed 59 last week but we managed to get over that line this time.”
Somerset boss Garry May said: “The score-line speaks for itself, and although the boys tried their best, Wolves were just far too good for us on the night.
“It was always going to be difficult to come here with a view to leaving with some league points to show for our troubles, but Wolves certainly taught us a lesson.
“I really feel for those Somerset fans who made the journey up to support the team, and I am just sorry that we did not put up a better performance for them at least.”
Meanwhile Luke Bowen scored an 18-point maximum as he teamed up with Luke Clifton to win the Invicta Pairs at Kent. The duo finished three points clear of Nathan Stoneman and Jack Thomas.
(SPEEDWAY 3)
IPSWICH have moved to sign Nathan Greaves as a replacement for long-term injury victim Danyon Hume.
Greaves, who appeared in the second tier for Sheffield last season, is set to make his Witches debut when they host Scunthorpe on Thursday.
Promoter Chris Louis said: “We welcome Nathan to Foxhall and both Ritchie (Hawkins) and myself are pleased that he decided to join us. I couldn’t be happier to have Nathan on board and look forward to giving him as much help as possible to help further his career.
“He stands to miss just a couple of our fixtures when he is on duty with his senior club.
“The fixtures are becoming more and more of a problem, but given our enforced changes due to injury we have managed to come out of it with minimum of disruption to the team which I believe is vital.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
THE Isle of Wight have been rocked by the decision of Nathan Greaves to join SGB Championship club Ipswich.
The Warriors are left searching for a new heat-leader as their home fixtures take place on the same Thursday race-night as the Witches, meaning Greaves is unable to continue on the Island.
Co-promoter Barry Bishop said: “This news has come right out of the blue and puts us in a difficult position ahead of our meeting this week. Neither (co-promoter) Martin Widman (Co-Promoter) nor I had been given any indication that this move was being considered.
“Nathan top-scored for us last week and appeared to be happy to be here; however, these things happen and with all things Warrior, we will use this development as a stepping stone to improvement and will re-assess our team make-up over the coming days and act to better the squad.
“We wish Nathan well at his new club and in the meantime we have invited Liam Carr to guest for us this week.”
(SPEEDWAY 5)
MILDENHALL will be without 15-year-old star Jordan Jenkins for the coming weeks as he swaps racing for the classroom!
Jenkins, who scored a 15-point maximum for the Fen Tigers in their win over King’s Lynn at the weekend, is about to commence his exams.
Promoter Kevin Jolly said: “When James and I spoke to Ross and Jordan about signing for Mildenhall it quickly became apparent that they were not motivated by money, it was Jordan’s education that mattered above all else.
“We were the only club happy to work with them and give assurances that we would support them and their wishes, and of course we are happy to stand by this.
“As a club we believe that these young lads’ education is of paramount importance and that they should not be placed under pressure to ride speedway when they have exams coming up. It is important that we work with their families to help develop these boys on and off the track and it is a responsibility we take very seriously.
“Jordan will miss a handful of meetings over the next few weeks and he leaves us with our very best wishes. If he shows the same application and skill as he does on his speedway bike we are sure he will achieve the results he desires.”
(FIXTURES)
WEDNESDAY MAY 10:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Rye House 7.30, King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 11:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Redcar 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Lakeside 7pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Swindon v Plymouth 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 12:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Birmingham 7.15
Results : Monday May 8, 2017
SGB PREMIERSHIP
Wolverhampton 62 (Jacob Thorssell 15)
Somerset 28 (Paul Starke 7, Patrick Hougaard 7)
SGB Premiership points: Wolverhampton 3 Somerset 0
INVICTA PAIRS, Kent
Kent Kings 23 (Luke Bowen 18, Luke Clifton 5)
Whistle Gang Crusaders 20 (Jack Thomas 11, Nathan Stoneman 9)
ATCLPS Roundels 17 (Ben Morley 15, Bradley Andrews 2)
Crayford Kestrels 12 (Ben Hopwood 12, Alex Spooner 0)
