Elite League Begins!

Arlington Stadium in East Sussex tonight plays host to Eastbourne v Wolverhampton for the very first Elite League meeting of the 2011 season.

Both teams took part in pre-season meetings last week with Wolverhampton beating Birmingham to the West Midlands trophy 103-80 on aggregate (see photo), whilst Eastbourne came out on top (96-87) in their challenge meeting with Poole.

Eastbourne acquired a new number 1 over the winter months in ex Poole Pirate Bjarne Pedersen. It's a shock for many people to see Bjarne in Eastbourne colours as he was at Poole for so long but it's a signing that definitely strengthens the Eagles side. The rest of the Eastbourne team is the same as 2010 apart from Lewis Bridger returning to Arlington after a year away with Peterborough/Coventry and should benefit from winning the league with the Bees last year. Over the winter we also saw experienced Swede Peter Karlsson make his way back to his 'home' Monmore Green after a year up in Manchester with the Belle Vue Aces. Wolverhamton also signed 2 American's in Tyson Burmeister and Ricky Wells. Tyson is new to British Speedway and Ricky has made the move back up to the Elite League after a year with Stoke in 2010.

Line Ups:

Eastbourne Eagles:

1. Bjarne Pedersen

2. Lukas Dryml

3. Simon Gustafsson

4. Cameron Woodward

5. Joonas Kylmakorpi

6. Lewis Bridger

7. Dawid Lampart.

Rider to watch/ Key rider: Joonas Kylmakorpi

Wolverhampton Wolves:

1. Freddie Lindgren

2. Ludvig Lindgren

3. Ty Proctor

4. Tai Woffinden

5. Peter Karlsson

6. Tyson Burmeister

7. Ricky Wells.

Rider to watch/ Key rider: Tai Woffinden

Prediction: 47-43