By John Walsh

Last updated 11:43, Monday, 21 April 2008

MATTIA Carpanese, the Italian rider who cut-short his Workington career last year, has been given a second chance in British speedway.

Return: Former Comets boss Graham Drury has signed Carpanese for Birmingham

Former Comets boss Graham Drury has signed up Carpanese for his injury-hit Birmingham Brummies team and he will make his debut on Wednesday against Glasgow in the Knockout Cup.

Carpanese quit the Comets in August after a series of bad knocks had drained his confidence.

He has had an operation on his damaged shoulder and has been turning-in some eye-catching performances on the continent.

Drury said: “We have been badly hit by injuries already this season and I have to find replacements. I spoke to Armando Castagna, Mattia’s mentor in Italy and he is confident that he’s back on song and ready to give it another go.

“He is keen to get back into British speedway and is looking forward to riding for us ion the Premier League. The operation was a 100% success and the way he has been riding this year suggests he’s got the appetite back for the sport.”

Workington team manager Ian Thomas said: “He’s a smashing lad and was actually fifth in our averages on 4.12 when he finished. I remember him best for a paid maximum at Derwent Park against Stoke and the 11 points he scored on the Potters’ home track when he also put up the fastest time of the night.

“There was some promise there but I think the three bad spills – two of them at Derwent Park and one on the Continent, really affected him.”

Workington don’t meet-up with Birmingham until June when they ride at Perry Barr on the 11th and back at Derwent Park on the 14th.

After their big win over Glasgow Tigers on Saturday, the Comers now face back-to-back Premier League meetings tonight and tomorrow.

Reading provide stiff opposition tonight and then it’s on to the Isle of Wight for Tuesday night’s clash.

Interestingly the Islanders beat the Racers 50-42 on the Isle of Wight last Tuesday in the Premier Trophy after winning 52-40 on their own track 24 hours earlier.

The Berkshire boys go into tonight’s meeting buoyed by their qualification to the semi-final stage of the Premier Trophy.

And they will be looking to make the best possible start to their league campaign, as the feel-good factor continues to return to Smallmead in the club’s fortieth anniversary season.

Looking ahead to the action, promoter Malcolm Holloway said: “This is a great meeting for us to begin the league schedule with, as Workington are up there with the best of them in our sphere of racing.

“Ulrich Ostergaard and Daniel Nermark are probably the best two riders in the Premier League right now, and they will be going head-to-head at Smallmead.

“That is a mouth-watering prospect, to say the least.

“We will have to be at our very best to beat the Comets, however, I have been impressed with the fighting spirit in the Racers’ camp in recent matches and, all being well, we can come out on top with another passionate display from the lads.”

teams

READING RACERS: 1. Mark Lemon (Captain, 8.77); 2. Chris Mills (5.82); 3. Ulrich Ostergaard (8.27); 4. Tomas Suchanek (5.14); 5. Tom P. Madsen (6.17); 6. Jamie Smith (3.19); 7. Danny Warwick (3.95).

WORKINGTON COMETS: 1. Daniel Nermark (10.90); 2. Scott Smith (3.13); 3. Kauko Nieminen (Captain, 8.30); 4. Charles Wright (4.17); 5. Carl Stonehewer (7.71); 6. Joe Haines (3.04); 7. John Branney (3.00).

REFEREE: M.W. Bates.