THE Somerset Rebels have had to make two changes to their proposed 2015 septet with the club releasing Jack Holder, in addition to which Ollie Greenwood has asked to be released from the side due to work commitments.

Rebels team manager Garry May said: “Unfortunately, Jack’s assessed average would mean the team would be over the 42.50 season-starting limit, and if we were to keep him in the side on that assessed figure we’d have to make two or three other rider changes to accommodate him, which would have upset the balance of the whole team.

“We’re sorry to let Jack down in res-pect of his team place, but, having looked at all our various options, releasing him was least disruptive as far as the team as a whole was concerned.

“With regards to Ollie, the company he works for has recently been taken over and his new working hours mean he’s no longer able to get the necessary time off to get down to the Oaktree Arena in time for our home meetings on Friday nights.

“To be fair to Ollie, he advised us of the situation as soon as it arose, and the fact that he’d need to find a club closer to his home base to continue racing.

“While it’s disappointing to lose Ollie’s services we understand the reasons for his request and wish him all the best.

“We have, therefore, signed Leigh Lan-ham as a replacement for Jack and Max Dilger, a former German under-21 Cham-pion, as Ollie’s replacement.

“Both riders quickly agreed terms with us when I contacted them and they’re really looking forward to riding for Somerset when the season gets underway next March.”