Your Total Guide To sport

Ford cannot pick a favourite for 2025 Championship campaign

Promoter Danny Ford believes there are no convincing favourites for the SGB Championship title, as Poole Pirates look to keep momentum in 2025.

The Wimborne Road outfit finished an incredible 2024 campaign with an unprecedented trophy treble.

They won the BSN Series title, as well as the Championship Knockout Cup and league crowns.

But with more than half of their 2025 septet as new additions this season, due to averages and riders pursuing opportunities abroad, Ford insists the nine-team division is wide open.

He told the Daily Echo: “I genuinely cannot pick out a standout team. I think every team's got their strengths and weaknesses.

“I don't think I can tell you that there's any very convincing favourites.”

Pirates will begin their campaign with a mouth-watering BSN Series double-header against Oxford Cheetahs in April.

The Wimborne Road outfit will make the trip to Cowley on April 16th before returning to for their home leg on Good Friday (April 18th).

Ford added: “You can't really pick any weak teams.

“I think Plymouth were perhaps looking a little bit weaker but then they've gone and signed Nicolai Klindt as their number one which certainly strengthens them up.

“That's maybe good and bad for us because obviously we'll be facing them three times in the regular season, in the league, the BSN and we drew them in the cup as well.

“So, it's going to be a really competitive year. I'm looking forward to every meeting.”

2025 Poole Pirates Fixtures

02/04/2025 Press Day (Invitation Event)

16/04/2025 Oxford Poole BSN

18/04/2025 Poole Oxford BSN

23/04/2025 Poole Plymouth BSN

26/04/2025 Plymouth Poole BSN

07/05/2025 Poole Scunthorpe SGBC

16/05/2025 Edinburgh Poole SGBC

17/05/2025 Berwick Poole SGBC

24/05/2025 Plymouth Poole SGBCKOC

28/05/2025 Poole Plymouth SGBCKOC