WITCHES’ NO.1 TARGET

IPSWICH owner Richard Coleman says he’s working to assemble a team with increased top-end firepower next season.

The Witches were ROWE Motor Oil Premiership champions in 2025 with a spearhead of Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle, but both riders departed Foxhall during a winter of takeover uncertainty.

The Suffolk side still reached the play-offs this year where they were well beaten by eventual winners Belle Vue – who ironically included Doyle – and now Coleman wants to make his mark with a full close-season to prepare.

He said: “I think it’s super important. If you look at any side, you need to try and win all your home meetings and pick up what you can on the road.

“That’s where a No.1 can make a big difference. They can get those big scores when you are away.

“We didn’t have the luxury of choice regarding a No.1 rider last winter. But for 2027, we have no excuses. I am confident we can put out a good side. Nothing is done until it is done.”