BRITISH SPEEDWAY JANUARY 16, 2026
(SPEEDWAY 1)
HOLDER CONTINUES WITH TIGERS
FORMER World Champion Chris Holder will be back for a third successive full season with Sheffield this year.
The 2012 individual title-winner played a starring role in the Tigers’ Premiership triumph of 2023, and he will once again link up with younger brother Jack at Owlerton.
Manager Simon Stead said: “Everyone knows what Chris is about by now, and he’s still a class act.
“This year, he’s coming back in on a 6.84 (average) which is an absolute bargain for someone of his quality.
“He’s had that little setback by not competing in the Aussie Championships because of the injuries he sustained just before they were due to get going – but he’ll be back, and I think we’ll see another solid season from Chris.
“He’s brilliant to have around the pits, he gets on well with the rest of the lads and he’s a big team player.”
(SPEEDWAY 2)
ZACH Cook has sealed a return to Belle Vue after a successful first season in Aces colours last year.
The 26-year-old Australian pushed his Premiership average up to 6.20 and is now set to take on a heat-leader berth at the National Speedway Stadium in 2026.
Cook said: “I really enjoyed my time there last year, and hopefully this year we can go a few steps better, make that Final and get some silverware.
“I’m looking forward to it – not long now and we’ll be heading back over, and the season will be underway shortly.”
(SPEEDWAY 3)
SCUNTHORPE have signed Danish star Michael Palm Toft for a fourth spell with the club as they close in on their full Cab Direct Championship line-up.
Palm Toft first rode for the Scorpions in 2011 and helped the club to the league championship in 2012 as well as the KO Cup more recently in 2023.
He returns to the Eddie Wright Raceway after spending the second half of last season with rivals Edinburgh.
Scorpions manager David Howe said: “When we started to look at the 2026 season, I was looking at riders’ averages, and to be honest, Tofty’s stood out.
“On a 6.10 rolling average, Tofty around Scunthorpe should make a mockery of that. It’s not that long ago he was at No.1 so I expect, especially at home, a big improvement from him.
“It was also very important to me that we signed a rider who would keep the No.1 jacket and take the pressure off Tofty. Josh Pickering obviously fits that bill.
“I’ve said it loads now, my aim at first is to win at home at the Eddie Wright Raceway, and I’d be a fool not to use Tofty on that average.”
(SPEEDWAY 4)
BERWICK have completed their line-up for 2026 with the signing of UK newcomer Reid Battye.
The 24-year-old has impressed in his native Australia and scored 19 points across the four rounds of the recent national championship series.
He joins the Bandits on a four-point average and will start the Cab Direct Championship campaign at reserve alongside Jack Smith.
Manager Stewart Dickson said: “Of the four riders we were considering Reid pushed himself to the front of the queue with some impressive performances in Australia.
“He might be young in terms of speedway experience, and has never ridden in a team sport before, but he has a lot of racing experience under his belt in other disciplines.
“I believe that along with club owner Jamie Courtney and co-promoters Steve Dews and Sarah Bulman, I have put together a team that will be challenging on all three fronts in 2026 and one that the supporters will get behind.”
