The Somerset Rebels has announced the final three riders for their 2018 line-up, including world champion Jason Doyle.

The Cases Somerset Rebels have announced their final three riders for their 2018 line-up, comprising a rider new to UK speedway, a rider for whom 2018 will be his sixth season in Somerset colours, and a returning Somerset legend who just happens to be the current speedway world champion.

First up is the 2016 Danish under-21 champion Jonas Jeppesen, who will be making his full UK racing debut when the tapes rise on the 2018 campaign.

“I had been tracking Jonas’ results in Europe throughout last season,” said Rebels team manager Garry May.

As for the rider himself, Jeppesen is looking forward to riding for the Rebels: “I am really happy to get to ride for Somerset next year,” he said, “the track looks really good and well prepared and it has been easy to work with the management.”

The penultimate rider to be announced is one who will need no introductions to Somerset fans as 2018 will be his sixth successive season with the Rebels, the rider in question being Charles Wright.

“Everything about the club is just superb,” he said, “the promotion, the fans, absolutely everything. The promotion look after you and the fans are really appreciative of their riders, even when things aren’t quite going to plan, they are also there giving you support, which is a great feeling.”

Finally, and most sensationally, the Rebels will be led this year by none other than the current world champion Jason Doyle, who will be returning to the Oaktree Arena for what will be his third spell with the Rebels.

Doyle first rode for Somerset in 2008, helping the club to KO Cup success that year, returning in 2012 for a two-season stint, which culminated in the Rebels first-ever league championship title, the club doing the double that year with further KO Cup success, while Doyle teamed up with Josh Grajczonek to lift the Premier League Pairs crown for the first time in the club’s history.

Last season saw Doyle lead Swindon to the SGB Premiership title, and on a personal level, the Norwich-based rider was finally crowned world speedway champion after injury had snatched the title from his grasp the previous season.

“I’m very happy to be back at Somerset Rebels” said Doyle upon the announcement, “I wanted to race British speedway next season and there is no better way to do it than with Somerset.”