DARRYL Ritchings will be in competitive action for the first time this season when he competes in the semi-final of the British Under 21 Championship this evening.

Ritchings, who doubles up with the Robins and King’s Lynn Young Stars this season, will face the likes of Dan Greenwood, James Sarjeant and Ben Morley at the St Boniface Arena over 22 heats in a bid to earn one of the six spots in the final at Cradley on April 15.

“It should be a good meeting for me and I did it last year and finished top with two other riders, but then got drawn out to come third which wasn’t great,” Ritchings said.

“I’ve got a few more years left in it but I would love to win it this year because it’s a big meeting.

“I have a few other things on my plate this season which probably take priority but it would be good to get off to a good start.

“The winter has been good but now I just want to get started properly.”