COVENTRY Bees will open their 2016 campaign with a meeting against great rivals Poole.
The two Elite League clubs have agreed dates for the Elite Shield, which will get the new campaign underway in the middle of March.
The Pirates are the reigning Elite League champions and Shield holders, while the Bees finished second in the regular league table this year.
The first leg of the Elite Shield will take place at Wimborne Road on March 16, with the return leg taking place at Brandon 48 hours later on March 18.
That will mean a rapid return to Coventry for Hans Andersen, who rode for the Bees in the past two seasons but has now made the switch to Dorset.
“We’re pleased to have agreed these dates quickly and it should make for an excellent start to the new season,” said Bees co-promoter Neil Watson.
“There’s always plenty of rivalry between the clubs, so that will be renewed at an early stage and I’m sure we’ll both be keen to kick the season off with some silverware.”
Bees have also confirmed this week that press and practice day at Brandon will take place on the afternoon and early evening of March 11, while skipper Chris Harris stages his Testimonial meeting on March 20.
