tony Atkin's riding plans had to be shelved when rain washed out the Great Britain Championship semi-final at King's Lynn last night. The meeting will now be staged on May 19.

The Newport Wasps rider was booked to ride in Wimbledon's Mark Burrows best pairs testimonial meeting at Wimbledon.

But Newport promoter, Tim Stone didn't want him to ride because the Wasps are facing four meetings in as many days, starting with a trip to Somerset in the Premier Trophy tomorrow night.

However, when the late chance to ride in the British Championship came along, Stone backed his rider.

Stone said: "Several riders pulled out of the tournament and Tony jumped at the chance to get some practice on the Saddlebow Road track ready for when we have to go there."

Wasps' Premier Trophy meeting last week was called off because of rain and now the Norfolk track management want the Wasps to travel next week, but Stone has yet to give a reply.

Atkin is to switch places in the riding order with Pavel Ondrasik in a bid to make the pairing more productive. Stone explained: "It changes the line-up for heat 14 and also the gate positions and hopefully these switches will rejuvenate the partnership."

l Grand Prix rider Jesper B Jensen is the latest capture for the mouth-watering Welsh Open line up at the Hayley Stadium on June 13.

Jensen finished one point better off than Newport's Mads Korneliussen at the recent Danish Championship final in Holsted, picking up nine points.

The 26-year-old Elite League rider with Ipswich competed in the opening Grand Prix at the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm at the weekend.

Stone said: "I've still to add a few more names before completing the line-up.

"But already it's a terrific field for what is accepted as one of the top individual meetings in British speedway." The line-up already includes Wasps' skipper Craig Watson along with Niels Kristian Iversen, who rode at Newport last season.