Within weeks of an excellent Premier League performance at the South Tees Motorsport Park by Ulrich Ostergaard in the colours of Birmingham - the Dane returns this Thursday evening at 7.30pm in strong support of the very capable Kauko Niemenen and James Wright but this time representing his new club, the Workington Comets.

In late July Ostergaard was a major factor in the Brummies victory as he proved capable of reeling in and passing such outstanding Bears as Gary Havelock and Mathieu Tresarrieu. Within days he was surprisingly shown the door by the West Midlands club after a debate about his wish to ride in a meeting on the Continent. It didn't take that much longer for a rider who won an Elite League Riders' Championship medal with the Peterborough Panthers in 2006 to find an alternative berth - ironically under the same promoter, Tony Mole, who also owns the Birmingham club! Ulrich replaces Carl Stonehewer whose season has finished prematurely through injury.

Kauko Niemenen is a four-times Finnish Champion and James Wright was the 2004 Conference League Riders' Champion when with Buxton. This before moving into the Premier League with Workington and doubling up with Elite League Belle Vue. In 2005 James reached the World Under-21 Final and also won an Elite League Knockout Cup Winners medal with the Manchester club. He sits at the top of the Cumbrian club's averages and is regarded as an English rider with future international potential.

So the Bears heat leader trio of Gary Havelock, James Grieves and Mathieu Tresarrieu will be tested and the balance of the match may rely on the back up points from such as 16-year-old Josh Auty who scored four heat wins against Newcastle last Thursday, American Chris Kerr who scored paid 13 points in the same fixture, and reserve Daniel Giffard who scored nine points from the reserve berth.

Gary Havelock has been suffering from a virus which has sapped his energy in recent weeks but is resting up for Thursday's encounter; James Grieves comes into the match off the back of a magnificent 21-point maximum at Newport Speedway on Sunday; and Mathieu top scored for France with 14 points in the World Longrack Team Championship as they took the bronze medal. So a battle royal can be anticipated!

REDCAR BEARS:
1. Gary Havelock (C)
2. Josh Auty
3. James Grieves
4. Chris Kerr
5. Mathieu Tresarrieu
6. Daniel Giffard
7. Jack Hargreaves
WORKINGTON COMETS:
1. Kauko Niemenen (C)
2. Rider replacement for Mattia Carpanese
3. James Wright
4. Craig Branney
5. Ulrich Ostergaard
6. Charles Wright
7. John Branney

Tickets for the End of Season Presentation evening on Saturday 3rd November at the Marton Hotel and Country Club, Middlesbrough can be ordered from the speedway office on race night. All Redcar Bears and Cleveland Bays riders will be in attendance. Admission will be £15.50 with a hot buffet and disco as part of the evening. Overnight accomodation at a special rate will be available.