SENIOR TEAM
CAPTAIN - ALAN TUUKKANEN (34), AVERAGE: 9.14
The four-times Finnish Championship medalist joined the Exiles from Leeds last season. He was excellent in South Wales, putting an extra point onto his average and his still hopeful of adding a Finnish title to his silver and bronze medals.
OKSANA CHAPLINSKI (22), 7.40
Young Russian Chaplinski first showed promise when making the World U-21 Final as an eighteen-year old. Over the last two years he has gone from a three point reserve to averaging comfortably over seven in the second tier whilst on-loan at Derby, with plenty of improvement still possible.
JAKUB KACZOWKA (33) 8.96
Kaczowka has spent his entire career on the continent, riding for Kassel in Germany and Pila in his homeland. He had his best year in Germany last term and is hoping a move to the UK will push him into more regular contention for a national team spot.
ROSS HALSEY (22), 4.08
Having first made the British speedway public take notice when he was 16, riding in the Academy League for Bridlington, he averaged an outstanding 7.32, he made a major breakthrough at senior level last year. Having split time at number seven with Iain Meadows, he worked his way into a regular team place, averaging over four and will now take the big step into the main body of the team.
NOTA GYOROK (33), 8.75
The former Hungarian Champion used his first season at Newport well, producing performances that saw him return to the National Team. Still not quite at the levels he produced in SL20, when he was a GP reserve, there could be more to come.
IAIN MEADOWS (19), 3.41
It takes a special young rider to be considered good enough to rider eleven times at senior level aged just 18. It takes an even better one to average over three doing it but that is exactly what Lancastrian Meadows did, based mainly on average over four around Spytty. The last of his teenage years will be spend improving when he travels over the Severn Bridge.
NICK MILES (23)/TONY WALL (22)/ROB BETTNEY (24), 3.00
To begin with this year, the number seven spot will be rotated between three point riders in the academy side. The three listed above will start the season as favourites to nail down the position but anyone in the academy side has the opportunity to force their way in.