SHEFFIELD skipper Ricky Ashworth carries the hopes of home fans in Sunday’s eagerly awaited Premier League Riders’ Championship (5pm).

Ashworth is making his debut in the competition after taking over the club’s number one spot this season.

And he insists he’s up to the challenge – even though the event includes the top rider from every Premier League club.

He said: “I look at the line up and there isn't a rider that I haven't beaten around here – and there are only a couple that I haven't beaten on their own tracks.

“I'm just going to have to go into the meeting expecting some fierce, hard competition.

“It's going to be tough, but I want to enjoy it as well. It is my first PLRC but I'm hoping it's the first of many.”

Turnstiles open at 3pm for the showpiece event and the Panorama Room Restaurant will be open with a tasty menu on offer.

A bumper crowd is expected and fans are urged to arrive early to gain their usual vantage point.

Line-up: Kenni Larsen (Newcastle), Steve Johnston (Somerset), Magnus Karlsson (Scunthorpe), Ryan Fisher (Edinburgh), William Lawson (Glasgow), Jordan Frampton (Newport), Andre Compton (Workington), Jason Bunyan (Stoke), Michal Makovsky (Berwick), Ricky Ashworth (Sheffield), Emil Kramer (Somerset), Ty Proctor (Redcar), Tomasz Piszcz (Birmingham), Tomas Topinka (King's Lynn), Darcy Ward (King's Lynn), Chris Neath (Rye House).