PREVIEW: Supertrax Battle of Britain Round 3

Attention turns back to elite racing this weekend after a long stretch of regional Sundays.

Elite Men league leaders, South East and East, journey up to Cookson Park to face the North and Scotland.

With rumours of in-form Andy Angell making his series debut for the home side, if they can get their best riders assembled, they could make life difficult for the champions.

SE&E will likely be up to their usual strength as they attempt to make it 3 out of 3 wins.

In the elite junior class, both sides are currently unbeaten as they chase the title won by the Midlands last year. The North have physicality and aggression in abundance, with the SE&E featuring exceptionally fast riders. It should be an exciting match to start the day.

Down in Birmingham, the Midlands welcome South West and Wales for their first home tie of the series.

The Midlands were convincing last time out against the North and Scotland at Astley and Tyldesley, who were able to bring a stronger side than their round one defeat to SE&E.

The South West and Wales have the most difficult job with their clubs so spread out in the region. You only have to look at the quality of last weekend’s Horspath v Poole match to see the talent in the region, and that’s without the addition Newport, East Newport and Exeter.

Getting those top riders together seems to be a challenge for elite men’s boss Dave Murphy, still the experience gained by the younger riders who get the nod will pay dividends in a few years.

The elite junior match should be close, especially since the Midlands are now without Brandon Whetton and two retirees, Haydn Rowley and Carl Parfitt. The SW&W juniors’ experience, who were all much younger than their rivals last series, but not anymore, could be the difference.

Photo by Andy Whitehouse