The Cab Direct Championship is arguably the most eagerly anticipated British Speedway League to get underway in 2026, and with all nine teams announcing their full 1-7’s and with the first official (BSN Series) match already taking place, it’s time to deep dive into the lineups and get out our crystal balls and make our predictions for the season.
Photographer Brett Thurlow has provided us with the pictures for this article and also gives us his predictions for the Championship campaign ahead!
Berwick Bandits
Berwick look strong on paper, especially at the top end, where their heat leader trio could be one of the most potent in the league.
Peter Kildemand brings both points and entertainment home and away, while Nick Morris offers consistency as a proven heat leader. Victor Palovaara impressed last season and, if he can deliver that level more regularly, completes a very strong top three.
The second strings add further strength. Jye Etheridge returns looking to push towards heat leader status, while Lasse Fredriksen is someone who has question marks by his name — but if he finds form, Berwick’s top five could be among the best in the league.
At reserve, Jack Smith brings experience and stability, and starting the season with a familiar club could suit him well. Alongside him, Australian newcomer Reid Battye arrives with a strong reputation from back home and will benefit from having an experienced side around him.
If Battye settles quickly and contributes consistently, Berwick could prove very difficult to beat. With a powerful top three and solid backing throughout the team, the Bandits have the ingredients to be genuine contenders if everything clicks
Key Rider: Reid Battye – If the Aussie can live up to expectations and the Bandits have a high-scoring reserve duo, they are going to be tough to beat
Prediction:
Paul: 3rd in the table, losing out in the Semi Finals of the Play-offs
Brett: 6th
Their line-up
Nick Morris
Peter Kildemand
Victor Palovaara
Jack Smith
Jye Etheridge
Lasse Fredriksen
Reid Battye
Edinburgh Monarchs
Edinburgh have made a statement with the signing of Dan Thompson, who switches from rivals Glasgow and now steps into a genuine number one role. His sharpness from the tapes should suit Armadale, and he looks ready to lead the side.
Justin Sedgmen remains a key figure and a rider closely associated with the Monarchs’ success. On his day he is a top performer, but greater consistency — particularly away from home — will be important if Edinburgh are to challenge.
Paco Castagna adds both points and presence, while Kye Thomson provides strong support and could push into the top three if his form continues to develop.
Jonatan Grahn offers reliability in the second string role, although Edinburgh may need a little more depth overall. The reserve pairing of Jordy Loftus and Mitchell Cluff has potential, but both are still relatively inexperienced at this level and could be tested over the course of the season.
If their top end delivers consistently, Edinburgh have the capability to compete — but strength in depth could prove the deciding factor.
Key Rider: Jordy Loftus and Mitchell Cluff. The Monarchs really need one of their reserves to step up to the plate.
Prediction:
Paul: 9th
Brett: 9th
Their line-up
Justin Sedgmen
Dan Thompson
Jordy Loftus
Paco Castagna
Kye Thomsen
Mitchell Cluff
Jonatan Grahn
Glasgow Tigers
Glasgow look set to be one of the most entertaining sides in 2026, with Chris Harris, Kyle Howarth and Leon Flint all returning to form a strong, hard-racing heat leader trio.
At reserve, Freddy Hodder remains with the club after a solid 2025 and will be expected to build on that form. Glasgow may need him to hit the ground running, particularly with two newcomers to British Speedway in Kevin Juhl Pedersen and Mario Häusl, who could take time to adapt.
Sam Hagon adds further strength and has an excellent record at Ashfield, where he has claimed two British Under-21 titles. That familiarity with the circuit could prove a major asset, especially in the early part of the season.
If the new signings settle quickly, Glasgow have the makings of a very competitive side — but their early-season form may hinge on how quickly those riders find their feet.
Key Rider: Again, two, for Glasgow. To be successful, they need one or both of their new riders, Kevin Juhl Pederson and Mario Hausl, to have a successful debut season.
Prediction:
Paul: 4th, losing in the playoff semi-finals
Brett: 1st – 3rd in the Play offs
Their line-up
Chris Harris
Kyle Howarth
Leon Flint
Freddy Hodder
Kevin Juhl Pedersen
Mario Hausl
Sam Hagon
Oxford Cheetahs
Sam Masters once again leads Oxford in 2026 and remains one of the standout number ones in the league. He is backed up by Erik Riss and Anders Rowe, giving the Cheetahs a solid-looking top three.
Riss will be looking to put his health issues behind him, and if Oxford are to challenge this season, both he and Rowe will need to consistently deliver around the eight-point mark. Behind them, there are question marks over depth.
Mitch McDiarmid showed flashes of his potential last year and is capable of big performances, but may still need time before becoming a regular heat leader. Luke Killeen faces an important season and will need to take the next step, with Oxford relying on improvement from their second string pairing.
At reserve, Daryll Ritchings and Dayle Wood complete the line-up, but compared to some rivals, this area could prove a weakness. Ritchings impressed on his return last season, while Wood will be aiming to bounce back after a tough year.
Oxford’s strength lies in its top end, but its chances this season could depend on whether the rest of the team can provide consistent support.
Key Rider: Luke Kileen. A big year for the Young Aussie in the main body of the Team. With weaker reserves, they need him to make a giant leap.
Prediction:
Paul: 7th
Brett: 5th
Line Up
Sam Masters
Anders Rowe
Eric Riss
Daryll Ritchings
Dayle Wood
Mitch McDiarmid
Luke Kileen
Plymouth Gladiators
Plymouth have gone big for 2026 with the signings of former British Champions Scott Nicholls and Danny King. Both bring huge experience and, if they hit form, could be very difficult to beat around the Coliseum.
Ben Barker remains a key figure and a rider who thrives at Plymouth. If the Gladiators are in contention for the play-offs, you can expect him to be right at the centre of it.
Joe Thompson continues to progress and looks capable of a breakthrough season. If he finds that next level in 2026, he could become a major asset to the side.
Daniel Klima is something of an unknown after limited appearances last year, but he has a strong pedigree on the continent and, if he adapts to the tighter UK circuits, could develop into a real contributor as the season goes on.
Tobias Thomsen arrives from Poole and should offer solid, consistent scoring in the second-string role, even if major gains are not expected.
At reserve, Tom Spencer gets another opportunity and will be looking to build his average. If he can consistently contribute around the three-point mark, he will have done his job.
Plymouth’s strength lies in their experience at the top end, and if the supporting cast can step up, they have the potential to be super competitive — particularly on home shale.
Key Rider: Daniel Klima. If he gets dialled into the British tracks and gets a 6-point-plus average, the Gladiators could be in for a big year.
Prediction
Paul: 2nd in the league and 2nd in the Playoffs
Brett: 3rd in the league and runners-up in the playoffs
Line up
Scott Nicholls
Danny King
Tobias Thomsen
Joe Thompson
Ben Barker
Daniel Klima
Tom Spencer
Poole Pirates
Reigning champions Poole Pirates once again look exceptionally strong, with another well-built 1–7 that makes them clear contenders in 2026.
Richard Lawson leads the side and remains one of the most reliable number ones in the league, delivering both home and away. Alongside him, Zach Cook continues to develop and could well push for that top spot as the season progresses.
Lewi Kerr adds further experience, and another year at Wimborne Road could see him step up again. Dan Gilkes returns after an injury-hit campaign, but with strength around him, he should be able to build back into form as the season unfolds.
Fraser Bowes could prove to be one of the signings of the season. His average remains low after his debut year, but he showed clear potential and, if that continues, could develop into a heat leader as the campaign progresses.
At reserve, Poole looks particularly strong. Will Cairns impressed last year and, with more experience behind him, could take another step forward. Alongside him, Cooper Rushen arrives as one of the most exciting young prospects in the sport, having produced outstanding performances in the NDL.
With strength throughout the team and serious depth at reserve, Poole once again has all the ingredients to be a major force in 2026.
Key Rider: Fraser Bowes. His potential is huge, and 2 points plus on his average could easily be achievable.
Predictions
Paul: Last in the League and 1st in the Playoffs
Brett: 2nd in the League and 1st in the Playoffs
Line Up
Richard Lawson
Will Cairns
Fraser Bowes
Dan Gilkes
Lewi Kerr
Cooper Rushen
Zach Cook
Redcar Bears
After ending 2025 with BSN Series success, expectations are high for Redcar Bears heading into the new season. However, an early blow came with injury to Charles Wright, forcing the club into a change at the top of the order.
Experienced Dane Nicolai Klindt comes in to fill that role and will need to deliver strongly if the Bears are to be challengers. If he can match expectations, Redcar still have the foundations of a competitive side.
Jake Allen joins from Scunthorpe and will be aiming to improve on last season’s average, while Jason Edwards continues his steady progression and now looks ready to push towards a higher scoring role.
Jordan Jenkins returns from injury and may need time to regain full sharpness, while Jake Mulford is now firmly established in the main body of the team and will be targeting further progression.
At reserve, Jody Scott and Ace Pijper both showed strong development last season and will be expected to continue that upward trend.
Redcar have a settled core and plenty of potential throughout the team, but their chances of challenging for the play-offs may depend on how quickly their new-look top end settles and whether their improving riders can take another step forward.
Key Rider: Jody Scott. The Bears need Jody to continue his upward trajectory for them to succeed in 2026
Prediction
Paul: 8th
Brett: 8th
Line Up
Nicolai Klindt (replacing the injured Charles Wright)
Jake Allen
Jordan Jenkins
Jason Edwards
Jake Mulford
Ace Pijper
Jody Scott
Scunthorpe Scorpions
After a difficult 2025, Scunthorpe Scorpions have made significant changes to avoid a repeat this season.
The headline signing is Josh Pickering, who brings genuine top-end quality and could well challenge for the Championship’s highest averages. Having a strong number one immediately gives the Scorpions a much firmer foundation.
The question is who will consistently support him. Luke Harrison showed real progression last season and could be ready to step into a more prominent role if that improvement continues.
Both Connor Mountain and Michael Palm Toft come into 2026 looking to bounce back after challenging campaigns, while Simon Lambert starts on a reduced average and could prove a valuable asset if he rediscovers his previous form.
At reserve, Nathan Ablitt returns with a point to prove after missing out last season, and Ryan Ingram has been making strong progress in the NDL and could chip in with useful scores.
Scunthorpe’s season may hinge on how well their supporting cast backs up Pickering, but if riders like Palm Toft and Lambert return to form, they could quickly move back into play-off contention.
Predictions:
Paul: 6th
Brett: 7th
Line up
Josh Pickering
Ryan Ingram
Luke Harrison
Connor Mountain
Michael Palm Toft
Nathan Ablitt
Simon Lambert
Workington Comets
After a disrupted 2025 season due to off-track issues, Workington Comets head into their third Championship campaign looking for greater stability and a stronger push up the table.
Troy Batchelor continues as a reliable number one, while Craig Cook returns to his home club. On his day, Cook remains one of the most exciting riders in the league, and if he commits to a full season, Workington could be a serious threat.
Jonas Jeppesen impressed during his spells last year and, if he carries that form into 2026, completes a strong-looking top three. Behind them, Tate Zischke has clear potential and, if he can rediscover his pre-injury speed, could be a major contributor.
Niklas Holm Jakobsen is new to the league and will be aiming to build steadily, while Vinnie Foord looks capable of improving on last season and adding valuable points to the side.
At reserve, Jamie Etherington begins his debut Championship season and will be looking to gain experience while contributing where possible.
If Workington can find consistency and get the best out of their top end, they have the potential to be competitive — but much may depend on how their key riders perform over the full campaign.
Key Rider: Craig Cook – The Comets’ season could all depend on which Craig Cook turns up.
Prediction
Paul: 5th
Brett: 4th in the League and Playoffs
Line up
Jonas Jeppesen
Tate Zischke
Vinnie Foord
Troy Batchelor
Craig Cook
Niklas Holm Jakobsen
Jamie Etherington
