IVERSEN SET TO MISS PANTHERS SEASON

Peterborough advisor Dale Allitt admits Panthers are set to be without Niels-Kristian Iversen for 2021 as promoters discuss British Speedway’s team-building rules and format today.

Iversen was due to return to Panthers for the first time since 2010 last season, only for the SGB Premiership to be cancelled due to the pandemic.

With NKI racing for Polish First Division side Tarnow, he can compete in two other national leagues. The seven-time Danish champion has been confirmed in hometown club Esbjerg’s squad and Swedish side Indianerna’s team, meaning he’s ruled out of Panthers’ plans.

With former Aussie champion Rohan Tungate already confirmed not to be returning, Panthers will have to rebuild their side once the new team-building rules are finalised today.

But Allitt is confident Peterborough can assemble a side strong enough to mount a play-off push.

He said: “The calculator has been on the table 24/7 as various permutations have been worked out. Whatever happens with the outcome of the AGM, I am confident Peterborough will have a side more than capable of challenging for the top four.

“We all know about the absence of Rohan Tungate and obviously as things stand it’s unlikely we’ll be seeing Niels-Kristian Iversen because of the Polish restrictions. But once the team building regulations are rubber stamped, we will follow up our interest in riders and reach the best possible outcome for the team.”

Promoters are holding an online British Speedway annual meeting today to confirm plans for 2021, with point limits for team building and the competition structure all set to be finalised, with bosses hopeful racing can start in May.