HOME INTERNATIONAL: England team news
England Senior team manager Wayne Aris has gone with home track specialists and experience as he reveals his England team for the home International at Great Blakenham on the 7th July.
Josh Brooke (c), Chris Jewkes, Lewis Osborne, Ash Hill, Adam Peck make up his team of 5, featuring three Great Blakenham riders.
Wayne commented: “I have gone with three home track riders in Josh, Adam and Lewis as Great Blakenham can be a bit tricky to ride.
“Chris will bring a bit of experience to the side plus he is putting in some fantastic performances for his Club Wednesfield and also for the Midlands in the Battle of Britain. Ash will be surrounded by all these more experienced riders, but in no means will be out of his depth.
Ashley Hill. Photo by Andy Whitehouse.
“I have been impressed with Ashley for some time, mainly at the recent Euro Club Champs at East Park and also in the Battle of Britain where he has been scoring well, including his win in the Senior Regional individual and HSBC UK Elite GP a few weeks ago.
“This team has been picked on the way these riders have been performing so far this season and I believe they will win a third Home International on the trot within the time that I have been manager.”
England’s team manager Les Fellgett confirmed his squad with 33/18 News. He said: “Junior England will be Pierce Bacon, Ewan Hancox, Ed Morton, Will Jeffery and Max Evans.
“I’ve gone for a strong capable team. Pierce and Ed have both represented their country before and know is expected.
“Ewan and Will both impressed me with their hard never give up attitude at the Euro Club championship at East Park earlier in the year. Max has been strong this year in the Battle of Britain meetings.”
Ed Morton. Photo by Andrew Davison
Incidentally, Ed Morton will be on the opposite side of the pits to his brother Niall, where both will be representing different countries despite being siblings. Niall is now the Scotland team manager and will be leading the Scottish charge.
England Over 40s team manager Geoff Gamage has named his team for Saturday (not in riding order): Jason Ashford (Great Blakenham), Rob Geach (Exeter), Paul Timms (Birmingham), World Over 40s Champion Norman Venson (Leicester) and Craig Marchant (Leicester).
Gamage explains his side: “My first selection for England Over 40 team for the Home International at Great Blakenham has been picked on a certain criteria for this actual event, following a discussion with frontline Veteran riders, and whilst it would be easy to select 3 veteran World Champions, past and present, plus a former Open World winner, we felt the competition was ideal to try some new legs, plus also reward some older ones whilst still selecting a team we expect to win.
“It’s always good to have a home rider and when that is someone of the calibre of Jason Ashford its an easy pick. Rob Geach has been going very well on the vets scene in his first year there, so it is good time to see what he can bring to the table.
“I wanted an Over 60 at no 5, as they didn’t get the chance in their 40s, to this end the current British Champion Paul Timms comes in of course, I have worked with him at Horspath too.
Norman Venson. Photo by Andy Whitehouse.
“World Veterans Champ Norman Venson had to be picked, I’d have been sent to the Tower otherwise, with my Team GB skipper and also England captain Craig Marchant completing the line up on this occasion.
“Thanks to both David Hemsley and Steve Harris for their input and support in this selection. With a growing category, I’m sure they will be needed in future meetings.”