Monarchs have their first chance of collecting some silverware a week on Saturday at the Premier League Pairs Championship.
The event is being held at Derwent Park, Workington on Saturday, 8th July. It involves ten two-man teams, selected on the basis of the July Green Sheet Averages for the top pair in each Premier League team. The teams are arranged in two five-team groups.
Group A includes the following teams:
Swindon [Frank Smart/Paul Fry] (18.01)
Isle of Wight [Ray Morton/Danny Bird] (17.51)
Hull [Garry Stead/Paul Thorp] (16.90)
Newcastle [André Compton/Bjarne Pedersen] (19.38)
Workington [Carl Stonehewer/Mick Powell] (20.32)
Group B includes the following teams:
Edinburgh [Peter Carr/Robert Eriksson] (20.01).
Berwick [Alan Mogridge/Paul Bentley] (17.01).
Sheffield [Sean Wilson/Robbie Kessler] (19.89).
Exeter [Michael Coles/Mark Simmons] (17.71).
Reading [Phil Morris/Armando Castagna] (17.40)
Each group each pairing riding against all others. That means a guaranteed four rides per pair. Each group will have ten heats, making twenty in all. The top two pairs from each group qualify for the semi-finals. The winners from group A meet the runners-up from group B and vice versa. The winners of each semi-final meet in the final. This differs from the seven-team, twenty-one heat format used in 1999 with each team having six heats.
Given the excellent scoring record of Peter Carr and Robert Eriksson at Derwent Park, Monarchs must be in with a strong chance although the home team will probably start as favourites to retain their Pairs title. Peter Carr has outscored Carl Stonehewer three times at Derwent Park this season. Sheffield also have a very powerful pairing. Berwick and Hull cannot be ruled out.
It is possible that certain of the riders who qualified may not be able to compete. Doubts have been expressed about Armando Castagna's availablity. The will be a major blow to Reading who may have to turn to Paul Clews given the continued absence of Per Wester.
The scoring system used, four points for first place, three for second and two for third, means that avoiding last places is the key to success. Thus it is better to finish second and third (5 points) in a heat than to finish first and fourth (4 points). Team riding is the name of the game.