NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY UPDATE

LEICESTER have stepped in to take a place in the new 2025 National Development Trophy competition.

The East Midlands outfit already operate successfully at NDL level where the Lion Cubs won the title this year.

Now with the decision of Workington not to take their position in the NDT, Leicester have confirmed they are willing to run sides in both parallel competitions, meaning the original five-team format for the NDT is retained.

They will join Birmingham, Kent Eagles, King’s Lynn and Plymouth in a league which provides four home and four away fixtures for riders, many of whom also have team places in the NDL.

Leicester’s inclusion in the NDT does not change any of the one-to-sevens already announced by other teams in the competition, and they have selected from riders available at the time of their entry.

British Speedway chairman Rob Godfrey said: “With the timing of Workington making their decision, it was too late to move one of the (six) teams in the NDL across to the NDT, because they’d all already started or completed building their teams by then.

“However, Leicester put up their hands straightaway and said they were willing to run two teams, and we’re grateful to them for solving what would have been an imbalance.

“It still gives more riders more track time, which is exactly what we’re looking to achieve – it fits what they want to do, and it fits what everyone wants to do.

“It puts the NDT back to where we were originally, with five teams competing, and geographically it probably fits as well, so this is a positive outcome for all concerned.”

2025 NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY: Birmingham, Kent Eagles, King’s Lynn, Leicester, Plymouth.