HANS UP FOR BRANDONAPOLIS

Friday 3rd February 2012, 14:11

Former Coventry No.1 Hans Andersen will defend his Brandonapolis title in the club’s prestigious season-opener on Friday, March 16.

Andersen, who has had two spells with the Bees, won the event on its last staging in 2010 and is building up to an important season as he returns to the Grand Prix series this year.

The Dane helped the Bees to the Craven Shield when he joined their ranks for the final three months of the 2008 campaign.

He also started last year in Coventry colours before suffering a serious foot injury just before Easter. He lines up for Elite League rivals Swindon this season.

The meeting features five Grand Prix riders as Andersen is joined by world champion Greg Hancock, three-time world No.1 Nicki Pedersen, Coventry skipper Chris Harris and Wolves star Freddie Lindgren.

Team Great Britain international Lee Richardson has also been named in a star-studded line-up, which contains World Under-21 champion Maciej Janowski, British champion Scott Nicholls and Elite League Riders champion Rory Schlein.

Edward Kennett, Sebastian Ulamek and Kenni Larsen have accepted invitations too and four spots are yet to be filled.

Coventry promoter Colin Pratt has confirmed the Brandonapolis will follow the same format as in 2010.

That means the meeting will be decided on a winner-takes-all final, for which the top two scorers from the 20 heats will qualify automatically. Riders placed third to sixth will race-off for the remaining two places.

Pratt said: “I always believe you should keep to a consistent format where possible, so we will run it the same way as last time. With 22 races, it should be a great night of action.

“We were pleased to get confirmation from Hans as it’s always good to have the defending champion in the field. I’m sure Lee will be a contender as well with all of his experience of the circuit.”

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