GILKES MAKES PIRATES SWITCH

POOLE have moved to sign talented Great Britain rider Dan Gilkes as they continue to build for their Cab Direct Championship title defence.

23-year-old Gilkes joins the Pirates after an injury-wrecked 2025 campaign when he had been racing for their rivals Oxford.

Ironically the knee injury which ended his campaign came in an incident at Wimborne Road in early May, but he will now be in Pirates colours next season.

Promoter Dan Ford said: “Dan has been a target of ours for quite some time, so to finally be able to welcome him to Poole is something we’re absolutely delighted about.

“He’s been extremely professional in every interaction so far, and we firmly believe he can now push on and reach his full potential. We’re excited to see what he can bring to the team in 2026.”