Workington Comets number one Connor Bailey has missed out on a reserve slot at the British Grand Prix on September 2.
As British Under-21s champions Bailey might have been expected to get the call for the Cardiff event at the Principality Stadium.
Track reserves for the British GP have been announced as Anders Rowe and Jason Edwards.
British Youth boss Neil Vatcher has clarified the selection process for the track reserve positions, which have been traditionally handed to two of Great Britain’s up-and-coming stars.
It means they gain significant experience of being part of an FIM Grand Prix meeting, with the possibility of racing action should any of the regular line-up be penalised for starting offences or suffer the misfortune of withdrawal.
Vatcher said: “After considering of a number of riders, it was confirmed that Anders and Jason, who had both been in the top three scorers in the 2023 British Under-21 Final, would be selected.
“British Under-21 Champion Connor Bailey was also amongst the riders considered; however, after he turned down opportunities to represent Great Britain in the recent FIM Speedway of Nations 2, and to ride in the British Final, the decision was taken to select Anders and Jason.”
Rowe dons the No.17 race jacket and Edwards takes No.18. They will take to the track if any of the main 16 riders miss a race due to a starting offence, injury, illness or other reasons.
They join 2022 Cardiff winner, west Cumbrian Dan Bewley, triple Speedway GP world champion Tai Woffinden, former European champion Robert Lambert and wild card Steve Worrall in flying the GB flag in the Welsh capital showdown.
British Under-21 Championship runner-up Rowe started the year without a club in either of Britain’s top two leagues, but he is now in fine form for King’s Lynn in the Sports Insure Premiership and Cab Direct Championship leaders Poole.
He has also enjoyed some impressive moments on the world stage, starring on 17 points for Great Britain in the DeWalt FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 team event in Riga last Friday, as well as reaching the Prague FIM SGP2 of Czech Republic semi-finals on June 2, scoring nine championship points.
Edwards was second track reserve for the 2022 FIM SGP2 of Great Britain – Cardiff and had a very busy night, scoring six championship points as he impressed on the Principality Stadium track.
The Essex racer is a team-mate of Bailey’s with Redcar Bears in the Cab Direct Championship.
