EMIL HEADING TO IPSWICH

IPSWICH are set to hand former World No.3 Emil Sayfutdinov a sensational return to British racing this season.

The 33-year-old’s only previous spell in the UK was with Coventry in 2011, but he is on the comeback trail this year after being forced to sit out 2022 due to an FIM suspension imposed on Russian riders following the start of the war in Ukraine.

Sayfutdinov is a Polish citizen competing on a Polish licence, and he is now set to line up alongside Jason Doyle for the Foxhall club subject to BSPL approval and paperwork.

He said: “Chris (Louis) was very determined to get me back, and only he called us when he heard that I will be back in speedway for 2023.

“It was Chris’ idea to call us, it looks like British speedway is quite organised now and the schedule looks organised with Mondays and Thursdays which suits me really good.

“I will only race in Poland, so that will only be Fridays and Sundays. It doesn’t look like I will compete in any other meetings in Poland, so if I have the chance to be on the bike more often, I will do it.

“It is a bit more work for the mechanic because we need to build an extra bike and get the equipment ready, but we are pretty much ready with that and will have everything done and dusted for the middle of March.”