PREVIEW: BRITISH SEMI-FINAL, LEICESTER

THE race to reach the national championship decider will be resolved at Leicester tonight (Thursday) with six qualifying places available.

The Lions host the British Semi-Final at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park, and their own regular reserves Drew Kemp and Dan Gilkes are included in the line-up.

Ironically the rider who Gilkes recently replaced, Sam Hagon, has received a late call-up due to injury for Ben Barker, whilst former British Champion Craig Cook is amongst a host of ex-Lions riders looking to make to through to Belle Vue on May 12.

Leicester co-promoter Jen Crossland said: “Obviously our two Premiership reserves Drew and Dan will fancy their chances, and then there are other experienced riders who are always keen to ride in the British Final as well.

“So I think it promises to be a right good meeting, I think it will be a fierce battle for those six qualifying places and it should be a good night of speedway all round.”

DRAW: 1 Drew Kemp, 2 Alfie Bowtell, 3 Craig Cook, 4 Lewis Kerr, 5 Vinnie Foord, 6 Dan Gilkes, 7 Jason Edwards, 8 Ashton Boughen, 9 Connor Mountain, 10 Leon Flint, 11 Simon Lambert, 12 Danyon Hume, 13 Nathan Ablitt, 14 Dan Thompson, 15 Joe Thompson, 16 Sam Hagon. Reserves: Freddy Hodder, Matt Marson.

SCB Referee: Seth Perkin

*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.leicesterlionstv.com/

PICTURED: Top three from the last time the British Semi-Final was staged at Leicester in 2018 – Chris Harris, Richard Lawson and Scott Nicholls. Pic: Steve Dixon