"I'd be looking at Drew Kemp at Leicester or Norick Blodorn at Belle Vue, because he is the one with experience, but every year there is someone who can put two or more points on. Could it be a fit-again Ben Cook at King’s Lynn?" Ritchie Hawkins steered Ipswich to the title in 2025 – who does he fancy in the Premiership this year?
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
"I am at a point in my career where I really need to give myself a good chance in Poland. It's my last year there as an under-24. Once you are a senior, it's very difficult to get a ride – whatever league you are in – so this year is my final year to really try and do something there." Drew Kemp has sidestepped the Championship this year to focus on Premiership Leicester and Poland, but took time out from his busy schedule to assess the second tier teams.
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
"When the Premiership went with Rising Stars, I think maybe the Championship should have jumped in there and done two Rising Stars. That would have really created a safe place for NDL riders to move up into, knowing they'd be getting a fair crack of the whip and not be kicked out after four matches, so that's not the NDL's fault." Former Belle Vue Colts co-team manager Graham Goodwin casts his expert eye over the third tier.
ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S MAGAZINE
Club-by-club guide to the 2026 British season • Overseas preview: 15 pages focussing on Poland, Sweden and Denmark, plus every nation where speedway is staged, including facts, figures and fixtures • Ben Fund Bonanza report • Grasstrack season preview.
