BARKER COMPLETES GLADIATORS

BEN Barker is on his way back to Plymouth to complete the Gladiators’ new-look septet for the 2022 Championship season.

Cornishman Barker will be going into his third spell with the Coliseum club, the last of which came six years ago, and he will start the campaign fourth in their averages.

Promoter Mark Phillips said: “To win the league and the KO Cup you have to be incredibly strong at home and have a team that can be competitive and pick up wins and bonus points away.

“We believe that our septet ticks all the right boxes of experience and youth with scope to improve their averages in some cases, and to more than consolidate in others.

“With Ben and Edward (Kennett) being probably the best two riders in the UK on our home track and with Hans (Andersen) and Michael (Palm Toft) both World class internationals in tandem, it will be great to see them help and mentor Alfie (Bowtell), Dan (Gilkes) and Henry (Atkins) to progress.

“I’m delighted with our magnificent seven and can’t wait to start the 2022 season.”