February 15, 2021

Plymouth Gladiators will take on the Poole Pirates in a mouth-watering clash in the 1^st round of the Knockout Cup.

The Gladiators, who have hit the headlines by signing triple World Champion Jason Crump and Danish World Cup winner Bjarne Pedersen, will face their South Coast rivals over two legs, with the winners taking on either Eastbourne or Kent.

British Speedway’s Championship Knockout Cup ties have been arranged with reduced travel in mind.

Club bosses met at the weekend to discuss the format of the competition and it was agreed ties would be arranged with geographical consideration for the two-leg clashes.

Eight clubs will do battle in the first round for a place in the quarter-finals where they will be joined by Berwick, Glasgow, Scunthorpe and Leicester.

British Speedway Promoters Ltd Chairman Rob Godfrey said: “We all agreed it made sense to avoid a straight draw and to try and keep ties as geographically convenient as possible.

“This has created some fascinating ties. Once we know the four semi-finalists a further discussion will take place to establish who races who.

“These are unprecedented times and we feel certain riders, sponsors and fans will fully understand why and how we have done this.”

Reigning league champions Leicester will face Scunthorpe in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile the Championship league fixtures are due to be released later this week.

CHAMPIONSHIP KNOCKOUT CUP LINE-UP:

ROUND ONE:

Edinburgh v Newcastle
Redcar v Birmingham
Plymouth v Poole
Eastbourne v Kent

ROUND TWO (Quarter-Finals):

Edinburgh / Newcastle v Redcar / Birmingham
Plymouth / Poole v Eastbourne / Kent
Berwick v Glasgow
Scunthorpe v Leicester