Atkins is next to sign for Plymouth

PLYMOUTH Gladiators’ 2021 team building has continued with the return of Exeter-based rider Henry Atkins for another season.

The 20-year-old is a popular figure with the Gladiators’ fans and finished the curtailed 2020 campaign in style by scoring an 18-point maximum against a Young Lions side at the Coliseum.

Under a new rule introduced this year, clubs in both the Premiership and Championship must field a young British rider from a ‘Rising Star’ list that has been produced by British Speedway Promoters Limited as part of a five-year plan to encourage the development of British talent, and Atkins fulfils that requirement for Plymouth.

Atkins, who will start the season in one of the reserve berths, had no hesitation in putting pen to paper for promoter, Mark Phillips.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” he said.

“I have continued to work hard on my fitness over the winter and we really got the bikes dialed in to the Plymouth track last year, and what an opportunity to be riding on the same team as Jason Crump and Bjarne Pedersen.

“I’m sure they will also help my development tremendously.

“I watched those two in the Speedway Grand Prix series when I was barely old enough to ride a bike and it’s a dream come true to be now riding alongside them.”

Atkins has had a long association with the club having also ridden for them when they were the Plymouth Devils.

He is a former rider for the Somerset Rebels and Gladiators promoter Mark Phillips was delighted to have the local favourite on board for 2021.

“It was a no-brainer to bring Henry back again this year,” commented Phillips. “The fans love him, and he really knows his way around the Plymouth track.

“He has also ridden at quite a few of the other tracks in the Championship during his spell with Somerset in 2019.”