Adam Shields Stands Down

Adam Shields will not be returning to the Eastbourne Lifestyle Eagles team and will be returning to Australia.

In the short-term, the Sussex club has been granted a “facility” to cover his absence and will use the rider replacement rule to cover his rides in Saturday’s match against Swindon at Arlington (7.30m).

Co-promoter and team manager Trevor Geer is sad Shields’s return to Eastbourne for the 2013 season has not worked out. “He has withdrawn because he felt he was letting the team down and he did not want to do that.

“Adam and the club had high hopes but it was not to be. He has been a fine servant of Eastbourne and I know our fans will still hold him in high regard. In his first spell at Arlington he provided some of the most exciting racing you could wish to see and that is the memory I hope everyone will retain.

Geer warns Eagles: tough matches ahead

Eastbourne team manager Trevor Geer has warned his team to be on their guard when they face Coventry twice in the space of 24 hours.

The West Midlands team have had a torrid start to the season and were badly mauled at home by Wolverhampton in front of the Sky TV cameras.

They rallied on Bank Holiday Monday at home by easily beating Lakeside leading Geer to say: “We will have a fight on our hands. These two matches will be as tough as they come.”

The Eastbourne Lifestyle Eagles ride at Coventry on Friday with the return at Arlington Saturday, 7.30pm.

Geer, who is also co-promoter, added: “This is a great opportunity for us to get points and shoot up the table. We must not waste the chance and need all the fighting spirit we showed when we gained a league point at Swindon.”

Eagles not ruling out team changes

Managers at Eastbourne Speedway are not still ruling out the possibility of team changes despite a 12 point victory over Coventry at Arlington on Saturday.

Senior promoter Bob Dugard has been leading the search which is continuing this week.

Dugard and his fellow co-promoters Trevor Geer and Mike Bellerby, were very disappointed after last week’s heavy defeat at Birmingham.

Geer said: “Our team performance at Birmingham was unacceptable and the result was poor for the club. There was more fight at Coventry on Friday and at home on Saturday but we are determined to improve the team.

“We have already contacted a number of riders, including Tomasz Jedrzejak, who has helped us out before. Sadly, his calendar is full and cannot come to England to ride for the Eagles.”

Eastbourne are not due to be back in action until May 25 when they face defending league champions Swindon at Arlington.

“That gives us a bit of breathing space and we will be using the time to explore other options,” Geer said

“It is difficult to find riders at this stage of the season; particularly for Eastbourne as we are a Saturday track. Riders have their programmes fixed and do not wish to disturb their arrangements. However, we will continue to work hard this week to explore all options available to us,” he added.

Gizatullin fit for Poole match

Denis Gizatullin has been declared fit to ride for the Eastbourne Lifestyle Eagles tonight (Saturday) in their match at the Arlington Stadium against Poole (7.30pm).

The Russian rider withdrew from Thursday's match at Swindon with a shoulder injury but has this morning been declared fit to ride.

It means the Eagles will be at full strength to take on their south coast rivals in this Elite League match.