Hammers “select” to face Bees

The Lakeside Hammers will make their only visit of the season to Coventry tonight (Friday) tracking somewhat of a select side.

Lee Richardson was refused permission by the BSPA to withdraw from the re-arranged British Semi Final at Scunthorpe on the same evening after the rider expressed his wish to put Club first.

With Stuart Robson also in the Semi Final, Kyle Legault representing Newport on the same night and Swedish Star Peter Ljung under doctor’s orders to rest his back injury sustained two weeks ago at the Arena-Essex Raceway against Poole the Hammers are forced to bring in guest replacements.

Better news, however, for Hammers fans is that Ljung hopes to return to the side for the big Saturday clash with the King’s Lynn Stars as will both Richardson and Robson.

Hammers Co Promoter Jon Cook said: “Obviously the Club and Lee are absolutely furious at the way in which our requests have been treated but we have to get on with it. Lee will hopefully not suffer any problems with his hand injury although Thursday and Saturday’s matches were his priority and rightly so.

“It’s a real shame as we only visit Coventry once this year so neither Lee nor Robbo get the chance to race at a track they know well but we have booked in ex-Bees Rory Schlein and Ricky Wells as replacements.

“Both have fitted into our team well in past appearances. With regard to Peter he has been ordered to get as much rest as possible to ease out the bruising from his crash and after two weeks of jumping from plane, to van, to bike and back again he was at a point where, as the televised match against Wolves on Monday proved, he was doing himself no favours. He will decide himself whether he should return for Saturday’s match against the Stars.”

 The Hammers team at Coventry will be: Rory Schlein, Kauko Nieminen, Adam Shields, Piotr Swiderski, Rider Replacement for Peter Ljung, Robert Mear and Ricky Wells.

The Hammers team for Saturday’s home match against King’s Lynn will be: Lee Richardson, Kauko Nieminen, Adam Shields, Piotr Swiderski, Peter Ljung (or Rider Replacement), Robert Mear and Stuart Robson.

Picture: Lee Richardson (red), Kauko Nieminen (blue) and Ludvig Lindgren – Lakeside Hammers vs Wolverhampton Wolves – Elite League Speedway at Arena Essex Raceway – 16/05/11 – (Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO)