PREVIEW: REDCAR v PLYMOUTH (Champ)

REDCAR open their Championship campaign when they host Plymouth at the Ecco Arena tonight (Friday).

The Bears warmed up with a big home win over Newcastle in the Tyne/Tees Trophy a fortnight ago, but their returning German star Erik Riss is warning his side not to under-estimate the Gladiators.

Riss said: “I think it’s going to be a battle of the heat-leaders, Plymouth have a strong top three.

“I think me, Charles (Wright) and Lewis (Kerr) need to beat their top riders to take the pressure off the rest of our team. If we can do our jobs and beat our opposite numbers, then things should go well on Friday.

“I’m really happy with my start to the season in the UK. I have scored well for Redcar and Ipswich, I have scored double figures for both of my UK clubs.

“This season has started much better than 2021. I always knew that it wasn’t me as you don’t forget how to ride a bike, but my engines did not combine well with the new tyres and that was a problem. After getting some new equipment I have now solved the problem and things have started well.”

The meeting will be streamed live on the British Speedway Network https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk/ .

REDCAR: Charles Wright, Adam Roynon, Lewis Kerr, Kasper Andersen, Erik Riss, Jordan Jenkins, Jason Edwards.

PLYMOUTH: Chris Harris, Alfie Bowtell, Ben Barker, Michael Palm Toft, Hans Andersen, Dan Gilkes, Henry Atkins.