Looks to me if the plan is to replace Proctor. Bates then drops to reserve and gets his confidence back and, hopefully, this makes Lions stronger, especially away from home.
One new initiative that I have never heard mentioned by the BSPA is the appointment of a Press and Publicity Officer. Perhaps now would be a good time!
Perhaps you can explain then, why the promoters said, in last weeks press release, that the fixtures for the top two leagues would be published this week? Surely they must have known there might be problems with rider availability! Perhaps it's another case of treating fans like mushrooms. Keep them in the dark and feed them manure!
I would be pleased to see Connor back. I have spent many happy hours over the lockdown watching the videos of the 2019 title winning season and he was one of the reasona why it went so well. From the Leicester web site recently it looks as if the other 6 riders will be as planned. Not sure abour Bridger - didn't he sign for the Lions once put then only rode once or something like that before he packed it in again!
7 man teams then for 2021 as SD has previously announced that the other 6 signed for 2020 will ride in 2021. Not sure what the effect of flight restrictions to and from Oz will be. Oz Govt have said some restrictions are likely to be in place until end of 2021.
Leicester have announced that they have someone lined up to replace Ellis Perks. They can't say who until the paperwork is complete. They had previously announced that the other 6 signed up for 2020 would be back for 2021 . So 7 man teams then.