PIRATES WORK ON GILKES STAND-IN

POOLE are working on securing a temporary replacement for Dan Gilkes as they prepare to launch their season on Good Friday.

Gilkes was due to make his Pirates debut in their BSN Series clash with Plymouth but after practice sessions at Wimborne Road and Leicester he has taken the decision that is not fit at this stage as he recovers from his 2025 injury.

Pirates promoter Dan Ford said: “Dan has been working really hard to be ready, but after a couple of practice sessions last week he feels he’s just not quite where he needs to be yet. There’s been a lack of track time for everyone with the weather, so it’s been difficult to get fully up to speed.

“We appreciate his honesty, it’s better to make this decision now rather than risk coming in underprepared at the start of the season.

“We’ll look to bring Dan into the side once he’s fully fit, and in the meantime we are working on a temporary replacement. We’re confident the rider we’re speaking to is more than capable of doing a job for us, and we hope to be in a position to confirm that shortly.”