Edinburgh have still two team places to fill after the signature of Jan Andersen. It is hoped that Monarchs will soon be able to announce the signature of Robert Eriksson plus the name of the third heat leader. Other tracks are progressing with team building also.
Newcastle became the first club to name their 2001 team last week. The line-up is extremely strong and they could prove to be the team to beat. Bjarne Pedersen (9.59) remains at number 1 with fellow Dane Richard Juul (5.94) at number 2. Monarchs target André Compton (7.15) will ride at number 3 with Kevin Little (6.35) at number 4. The final heat leader is a third Dane Jesper Olsen (8.23) at number 5. Rob Grant (3.75) and Paul Macklin (3.17) will ride at reserve. All of the above team, apart from Pedersen have proved erratic in the past. Otherwise there would have been no chance of assembling such a side within 45-points. If they can hit any consistency then they will take a lot of beating.
Swindon are close to completing their team and have retained the core of their 2000 cup winning side. Alan Mogridge has replaced the banned Frank Smart. Paul Fry, Claus Kristensen, Oliver Allen, Mark Steel, and Martin Dixon remain. Neil Collins is a victim of the points limit and will be replaced by an as yet unnamed three-point reserve. Steve Camden is favourite to fill the place if his work commitments permit.
Berwick have embarked on a very risky strategy by recruiting three Czech riders Michal Makovsky, Adrian Rymel, and Josef Franc all on 9.00 point averages. They will also have a couple of 3.00 point reserves. David Meldrum (7.02) and Will Beveridge (4.10) will fill the two second string places. All three toured with the Jawa Czech team last year that came to Armadale and only Rymel impressed. Franc was reputedly a Monarchs target after winning the Czech under-21 Championship in 1999 but really struggled at Armadale. Expect Berwick to receive some drubbings until the Czechs find their feet. If past experience is anything to go by, you can also expect team changes on the issue of the first green sheet averages with a new heat leader or two replacing sacrificial three-pointers.
Sheffield have gone with a strong top-four strategy. The three 2000 heat leaders Sean Wilson, Robbie Kessler and Simon Stead were joined by former rider Scott Smith. The bottom end of the team will probably include Adam Allott and Andrew Moore and an unnamed three point rider. Paul Lee and Simon Cartwright will be the ones to be squeezed out. However doubts have been cast by recent teletext reports that Sean Wilson has yet to put pen to paper. Clearly Wison would be virtually impossible to replace so any problems here would severly disrupt their team plans.
Workington are expected to retain at least four of their 2000 team with Carl Stonehewer, Peter Karlsson, Mick Powell, and Lee Smethills lining up. Brent Werner is expected to move to the Elite League. That all leaes Workington with just over twelve points to fill three remaining team places. There is no news over the fitness of Barry Campbell and Darren Groves.
The Premier Trophy winning Hull side is taking shape with Paul Thorp joining Garry Stead, Jamie Smith, and Lee Dicken in the team. David Walsh is expected to became the latest signing. There are question marks over the future of Paul Smith, René Aas, and Mike Smith. The points limit leaves scope for the inclusion of only one of the above trio plus a new reserve.
Exeter have made little progress beyind signing Mark Simmons, Seemond Stephens and Bobby Eldridge. Michael Coles and Chris Harris have yet to sign while Graeme Gordon will leave to join newcomers Trelawny Tigers and Roger Lobb is banned. If Coles and Harris sign, the Exeter team will be completed by the inclusion of two 3.00 point reserves.
Newport have signed up three members of the 1999 Swindon side in Glen Cunningham and Steve Masters from the Elite League plus Krister Marsh.
The Isle of Wight have secured the services of their top rider Ray Morton. He will join Danny Bird and Glen Phillips. The Islanders are looking to change things in the team.
Reading are set to retain Phil Morris and Armando Catagna and will have Dave Mullett available on a low average. They were hoping to recruit former Newport rider Andrew Appleton but the local youngster has opted to move to Elite League Oxford. Marc Norris is expected to remain as reserve in the Racers' team.
Stoke have made no signings as yet. Paul Pickering, who has been the mainstay of the side over the past three seasons, is expected to take a year out to recover from a long-standing injury. Mark Burrows and Tony Atkin are fair bets for team places. There are also suggestions of a return to Loomer Road for Dean Felton.
Arena Essex have also made little progress with concerns over the fitness of Gary Corbett. Leigh Lanham may be set for a comeback after missing most of last year with an injury. They are on the lookout for a new heat leader.
Newcomers Trelawny Tigers riding for this year at the former St. Austell track have repudedly lined up Graeme Gordon and Gary Phelps. They expect to have their own track available for the 2002 season.
Last and probabably least are Glasgow. Due to the uncertainty of about the future of the promotion there have been few signings. Jams Grives has agreed terms but has yet to sign. Les and Aidan Collins have reputedly signed as has Mark Courtney. With the promotion up for sale, no progress is expacted until the issue of who is promoting can be resolved.
Regular updates will appear on pages as news is available.