Monday 16th January 2012, 13:00

World champion Greg Hancock will step up his preparations for his SGP title defence by competing in the star-studded Brandonapolis meeting at Coventry on March 16.

The 41-year-old admitted he was ready to do a brief tour of the UK ahead of the FIM New Zealand Grand Prix in Auckland on March 31.

He will also race in Australian favourite Shane Parker’s farewell meeting at Sheffield on March 18.

Hancock is joined in the Brandonapolis by fellow SGP stars Nicki Pedersen, Freddie Lindgren and Coventry’s No.1 Chris Harris. Hans Andersen has also been sent an invite.

Bees hotshots Edward Kennett, Scott Nicholls and Kenni Larsen are in the field, along with former Brandon regulars Rory Schlein and Sebastian Ulamek.

With the line-up now just over half-complete, Coventry promoter Colin Pratt believes the Brandonapolis will prove to be the perfect opening for the new era at the club, who are now under the control of Peterborough-based businessman Mick Horton.

Pratt, who first brought Hancock to the UK with Cradley Heath in 1989, said: “I was delighted when Greg got in touch at the weekend to confirm he’ll be here on our opening night.

“We were always keen to see him racing at Coventry again, especially after he won the World Championship last year, which was a remarkable achievement. I know he’s still really popular with our supporters.

“The meeting is coming together very nicely and we have other invites out which are going to make it a really strong line-up and a great way to start the season.”

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