Plymouth Centurions new Team Manager Barry Bishop said he is thrilled to be in the job and cannot wait to work with the team that has been put together in the National Development Trophy.

Barry said, “When Plymouth’s promoter Mark Phillips asked me if I would do the job I was slightly torn due to my long standing friendship with Mark and my other hat as Isle of Wight’s co-promoter with Martin Widman, but it didn’t take me long to realise that it could be a good thing for both of us.

I am delighted with the team that we have put together that has both experience and youth in it, exactly what the sport should be trying to achieve at his level. 

I have known all of our team for most of their time riding speedway and watched them develop their career. It's great that the Centurions will be led by Joe Thompson, Ben Trigger, Matt Marson, who have all grown in the sport over the last couple of years. 

Their experience will be priceless for our more junior riders and I know the season with Mark and I at the Centurions will only develop them further in the sport.

Working with our team leaders I cannot wait to realise the potential of Morgan Williams, Kai Ward, and 15 year olds Ryan Ingram and Charlie Southwick.  I have worked with all of these before on the Isle of Wight and some over many years so I am truly thrilled to take them to the next level of speedway. I hope they take this opportunity to really grow, learn, maximise their potential and produce some great results for the club.

We also have a list of 15 years old that have come through My First Skid Speedway School who will be invited to do second halves and hopefully knock on the team door and be ready to step in in case of injury.

We are in for a great season at Plymouth and I cannot wait to get started."

The countdown is on to the Championship Big Weekend – with line-ups declared for two massive meetings in early April.

The action gets underway at Workington’s GT Tyres Arena on Saturday April 5 (3pm) as the Comets host the Championship Pairs, whilst 24 hours later the focus switches to the Eddie Wright Raceway at Scunthorpe for the Championship League Riders’ Championship (April 6, 3pm).

All clubs have declared their combinations for the Pairs, which sees Redcar defending the title they clinched in dramatic circumstances over Oxford at Cowley last year.

Bears skipper Charles Wright is back for the Teesside outfit, who are chasing a third Pairs crown in four years, and this time he will be joined by returning German star Erik Riss.

Newly installed Oxford skipper Sam Masters also has a new partner in 2025 as Jordan Jenkins joins him for the Cheetahs.

Glasgow were Pairs champions in 2024 and skipper Chris Harris will once again lead the Tigers, this time alongside new signing Kyle Howarth.

Hosts Workington are represented by new captain Troy Batchelor along with spectacular youngster Tate Zischke, who is back from the injuries which ended his season last summer.

Former Comets No.1 Craig Cook lines up alongside Peter Kildemand with both riders joining Berwick over the winter, whilst Nicolai Klindt (Plymouth), Lewis Kerr (Poole) and Steve Worrall (Scunthorpe) all make their first appearances of 2025 for their new clubs.

Justin Sedgmen is back from injury for Edinburgh, and he partners captain Paco Castagna.

CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS LINE-UP (Not in draw order):

BERWICK: Peter Kildemand, Craig Cook

EDINBURGH: Justin Sedgmen, Paco Castagna

GLASGOW: Chris Harris, Kyle Howarth

OXFORD: Sam Masters, Jordan Jenkins

PLYMOUTH: Nicolai Klindt, Ben Barker

POOLE: Lewis Kerr, Zach Cook

REDCAR: Charles Wright, Erik Riss

SCUNTHORPE: Steve Worrall, Simon Lambert

WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor, Tate Zischke

Meanwhile, four previous winners are named in the line-up for the Championship League Riders’ Championship at Scunthorpe – with two riders going for a third victory overall.

Oxford’s Sam Masters was victorious in 2011 and 2022, representing Somerset and Edinburgh respectively, whilst new Berwick signing Craig Cook won the meeting in 2012 and 2018 in the colours of Edinburgh and then Glasgow.

Also included in the field are 2019 winner Erik Riss, who is back with Redcar this season, along with his Bears team-mate Charles Wright who was victorious in 2023.

Chris Harris (Glasgow), Danny King (Redcar) and Poole duo Richard Lawson and Lewis Kerr have all been rostrum finishers in recent seasons and will be looking to take the top step at the Eddie Wright Raceway.

Hosts Scunthorpe have two representatives with Steve Worrall and Jake Allen taking their place along with Scorpions racer from last year Kyle Howarth, who has joined Glasgow.

CLRC DRAW: 1 Craig Cook (Berwick), 2 Jake Allen (Scunthorpe), 3 Justin Sedgmen (Edinburgh), 4 Ben Barker (Plymouth), 5 Sam Masters (Oxford), 6 Kyle Howarth (Glasgow) 7 Danny King (Redcar), 8 Steve Worrall (Scunthorpe), 9 Troy Batchelor (Workington), 10 Richard Lawson (Poole), 11 Dan Thompson (Glasgow), 12 Erik Riss (Redcar) 13 Lewis Kerr (Poole), 14 Chris Harris (Glasgow), 15 Charles Wright (Redcar), 16 Peter Kildemand (Berwick).

Plymouth Centurions have been forced into a team change before the season has started with news that Chad Wirtzfeld unfortunately cannot ride for the club in 2025 due to new work commitments.

Team Manager Barry Bishop said, “I am gutted that Chad cannot ride for the Centurions in 2025 as I have worked with him for so long now and really know how to get the best from him.

However, I do understand that sometimes work has to come first for some riders and I hope that we can include Chad in some meetings in the future. 

As always, when one door closes another is opened and we are thrilled to announce that Matt Marson will replace Chad in the side. Matt is someone I have known for a few years now and have watched his progress from a distance. 

I am sure the extra rides he will be at Plymouth in the NDT will enhance his riding greatly and I very much look forward to having a rider with his experience in the team".

Matt added, “I’m delighted to be joining the Centurions in Plymouth for the National Development Trophy. It looks like they have put together an interesting team and I am looking forward to help Mark and Barry push for a trophy for the club. I cannot wait to get down to Plymouth to meet the fans and track team. Here’s to a great 2025”.