THE CHAMP IS BACK!

Defending Poole Blue Riband champion, Edward Kennett, is all set to try and reclaim his title, in spite of being out of regular racing, effectively, since mid 2021.

Kennett (39) claimed the 2016 Blue Riband title when he beat Scott Nicholls - who will rival him again for this revived event on the Poole calendar - in a run-off after both riders had finished on 13 points.

Kennett was a member of the Eastbourne Eagles side , a team-mate of fellow Blue Riband contenders Richard Lawson, Lewis Kerr, and Drew Kemp that had the rug pulled from under them when a cash flow crisis led to the Sussex side closing down.

The following season Eddie signed for Plymouth but his Devonshire career lasted just one meeting - three rides - injuring his arm in the first race against Poole on April 5th and it was thought his racing career was over. But he returned to the shale at amateur level and won the British 500cc Upright Championship in both 2023 and 2024.

Confirming Kennett for Wednesday (24th September) meeting, Dan Ford said "It is always good to have the reigning champion back to defend their title and although there have been a few years since we have last seen him here at Wimborne Road we know that he loves riding here and he won't want to hand over the title without a fight."