Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2009 14:04:38 GMT
COVENTRY'S 2009 Rider of the Year Ben Barker has put pen to paper on a new deal with the Buildbase Bees for next season.
And Barker, who enjoyed a terrific first full season in the Elite League last year, will be joined in the line-up by Czech Republic rider Filip Sitera, who is targeting 2010 as his breakthrough year in British racing.
Barker rode for Coventry as their standby No.8 in 2008 and impressed the club enough for them to purchase his contract outright in the middle of the season. He suffered a badly broken leg last April, but hit back in style after three months out and ended the season with an impressive average of 6.83, which is reduced to 6.66 due to his British nationality.
Sitera, meanwhile, has been in and out of the side since his first appearances in August 2008, and had a long spell as injury cover last season. He struggled during the final month of his run in the team but had previously scored solidly at reserve, which is where he is expected to start the 2010 season.
Sitera comes in on an average of 3.69, leaving Bees with 11.99 points remaining for their final two riders - one of which is expected to be Edward Kennett, with whom a deal is expected to be finalised in the near future.
Bees promoter Colin Pratt said: "Ben had an outstanding first season at Elite League level, and the way he came back from a badly broken leg was remarkable.
"He still has lots more potential, and we're looking forward to seeing even more from him next year.
"It wasn't easy for Filip at times last year and it's always hard to come into a side in mid-season, but he had produced several good scores before he went off-form in August.
"He has new equipment all ready for next season and we feel he can be a very useful rider on his starting average.
"Things are coming together for us and hopefully we'll be in a position to release some more news next week."
With Kennett set to join Barker, Sitera, Chris Harris, Rory Schlein and doubling-up duo Josh Auty and Ricky Wells in the team, Olly Allen - the remaining member of last season's top five - has agreed a loan deal for 2010 with Ipswich.
Courtesy of www.british-speedway.co.uk
And Barker, who enjoyed a terrific first full season in the Elite League last year, will be joined in the line-up by Czech Republic rider Filip Sitera, who is targeting 2010 as his breakthrough year in British racing.
Barker rode for Coventry as their standby No.8 in 2008 and impressed the club enough for them to purchase his contract outright in the middle of the season. He suffered a badly broken leg last April, but hit back in style after three months out and ended the season with an impressive average of 6.83, which is reduced to 6.66 due to his British nationality.
Sitera, meanwhile, has been in and out of the side since his first appearances in August 2008, and had a long spell as injury cover last season. He struggled during the final month of his run in the team but had previously scored solidly at reserve, which is where he is expected to start the 2010 season.
Sitera comes in on an average of 3.69, leaving Bees with 11.99 points remaining for their final two riders - one of which is expected to be Edward Kennett, with whom a deal is expected to be finalised in the near future.
Bees promoter Colin Pratt said: "Ben had an outstanding first season at Elite League level, and the way he came back from a badly broken leg was remarkable.
"He still has lots more potential, and we're looking forward to seeing even more from him next year.
"It wasn't easy for Filip at times last year and it's always hard to come into a side in mid-season, but he had produced several good scores before he went off-form in August.
"He has new equipment all ready for next season and we feel he can be a very useful rider on his starting average.
"Things are coming together for us and hopefully we'll be in a position to release some more news next week."
With Kennett set to join Barker, Sitera, Chris Harris, Rory Schlein and doubling-up duo Josh Auty and Ricky Wells in the team, Olly Allen - the remaining member of last season's top five - has agreed a loan deal for 2010 with Ipswich.
Courtesy of www.british-speedway.co.uk