COVENTRY Bees’ number one rider Hans Anderson will not be returning to ride at Brandon next year following a mixed 2015 campaign in the Elite League.
The Dane has been with the club for the last two seasons and 2014 saw him form an ultra-strong spearhead with skipper Chris Harris.
But mechanical issues in home meetings this season has restricted his scoring at Brandon and although he was still a key figure in several away wins, Anderson has now elected to ply his trade at Elite League rivals Poole.
“We’d like to thank Hans for the last two seasons with us, and we wish him all the best,” said Horton
“He’s sent me some nice messages thanking the club, there were never any problems with his contract and there are no hard feelings.
“He wants to get back to enjoying his racing and it’s fair to say there were times this year when he didn’t get the warmest of welcomes.
“I did feel myself that the grief he was getting at times was a bit much, but I also completely understand where the fans are coming from if your No.1 rider isn’t winning races at home.
“It’s just one of those things, we’re moving on and we’ve got some important decisions to make regarding our team.”
Preparations for the 2016 Elite League campaign are already well under way for the Bees following the first section of the sports AGM in Rugby last weekend.
All eight teams from 2015 will be returning next year and they must all build to a points limit of 40.50, a figure which is to include all seven riders in the side although the draft system is to be retained for the two riders who will start the season at reserve.
The final part of the AGM takes place on November 3, but before that Bees stage what is scheduled to be the final speedway meeting in the UK this sunday (October 25).
There will be 30 heats of racing at Brandon, starting at 4pm with the Storm taking on Eastbourne and then Mildenhall in a National League double-header.
If the Storm can avoid defeat in either meeting, they will secure a top four finish in the league despite given the changes which took place last winter.
