PIRATES GO FOR NEWMAN

POOLE have announced the return of local favourite Kyle Newman to stand in for Dan Gilkes who is not fit to start the season.

Newman, who was a top-flight title winner with the Pirates earlier in his career, last raced at Cab Direct Championship level in 2024 but was back on a bike at Redcar in the Tyne/Tees Trophy last month.

Poole co-promoter Dan Ford said: “It’s obviously disappointing to lose Dan so close to the start of the season, but we respect his honesty.

“He’s been working hard to get back, but after a couple of practice sessions last week he felt he just wasn’t quite where he needed to be to come to the tapes.

“We’ll give him the time he needs and look forward to bringing him back when he’s fully ready.

“In the meantime, we’re pleased to bring Kyle back in. He knows the club inside out and is someone we trust to come in and do a job for us.”