SWTR Centurions name six.

The newly formed Plymouth SWTR Centurions National Development League Team have announced 6 of the 7 Riders for their 2022 NDL season

Heading up the sextet will be Dan Gilkes and Henry Atkins from the higher Championship level Plymouth Gladiators Team.

Northampton based Dan Gilkes is a former NDL League winner with Kent in 2019 and headed the Kent Royals NDL Averages in 2021 with his 10.24 match average making him the highest rated NDL Rider.

He will form a formidable spearhead with Devon’s own emerging star Henry Atkins. 

Henry missed almost all of the 2021 season due to a serious shoulder injury suffered on just the 10th lap of his 2021 NDL season, after comfortably winning his first two races. 

Widely recognised as one of the best British born prospects of his age group he will be seeking to battle with Dan for the no 1 spot in the SWTR Centurions Team.

The SWTR Centurions are also delighted to announce the return of two of the most popular NDL Riders from the club’s most recent NDL seasons prior to joining the Championship league in 2021.

Adam Extance who was enjoying the most productive spell of his speedway career before suffering serious injuries in the late summer of the 2019 season whilst riding at Kent and widely regarded as one of the leading all-round motorcyclists in many forms of motorcycling sport, will return fully fit and raring to go.

Joining him in the engine room of the SWTR Centurions side will be the most popular Plymouth rider of his generation and one of the most popular NDL riders of all time across the sport in Richard Andrews. 

Mr Entertainment on and off the track and a superb team member, Richard will combine a return to The Coliseum with his increasing interest in 4 wheel Stock Car action, in which he made excellent progress in 2021.  

Next up is local lad Ben Trigger, a regular at The Coliseum as a both mascot and in pre and post meeting demonstration rides for several seasons and the current British Youth 500cc Champion and a regular Podium finisher in age groups at 125cc and 250cc in recent years.

Ben made his NDL debut immediately following his 15th birthday last season for the Leicester Lion Cubs and enjoyed a solid debut season in the sport at team level and will seek to build and consolidate on that on his return home to join the SWTR Centurions.

The Club has also agreed terms with another exciting young prospect in Eli Meadows. 

The former Somerset Rebels Mascot enjoyed a successful season at MSDL level in 2021 primarily with the Eastbourne Seagulls and also made an eye-catching NDL cameo performance being paid for 7 points for the NDL level Seagulls against Leicester. 

Eli will start in the reserve berth and his smooth style just needs to be allied to a bit more speed to make a big impact.

The final member of the Centurions 2022 Team will be named in a few weeks with several riders being considered and the Club will also invite any young rider wishing to stake a claim to the regular Training Schools once they recommence in February

The SWTR Centurions will be  managed by the highly popular Co-Promoter Mattie Bates, who will be looking for the Team to be challenging for League honours and  to become a key conveyor belt of emerging talent for the Club in the coming seasons.

Promoter and Director Mark Phillips commented

“In Dan and Henry I feel sure that we have 2 riders who can beat anyone at this level, both will be key members too of the Championship Gladiators Team and the added track time gained at NDL level can only help them, especially Henry who was so unlucky last season. 

Richard and Adam are both highly competent at this level and very popular with our fans and both will be great mentors for the younger riders and it is great to see Ben getting a chance to show us what he can do at this level as he builds his career after a solid start in Team Racing in 2021 and we have high hopes for Eli too; who has been a regular visitor to our Training sessions for a few years..

2022 Season tickets are now on sale via the online ticket store.  Click here to launch.

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