PIRATES promoter Matt Ford revealed how daddy day care had ruled Hans Andersen out of the SGB Premiership Pairs.

Andersen was Ford's first port of call for the prestigious event at Somerset later this month but the 36-year-old will not race at the Oak Tree Arena.

The former Grand Prix ace has elected to stay at home in Denmark in order to look after his two young sons while his partner is out of the country.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "Hans has a problem in that the meeting was arranged late and his wife is away at the time, so there is an issue with child support."

This will not be the first time Andersen has – understandably – prioritised his young family over racing.

In May last year, the Dane missed practice ahead of the SEC Challenge in Germany in order to celebrate the third birthday of son August.

Krzysztof Kasprzak and former Rebels flier Brady Kurtz have been announced as Poole's representatives in the pairs.

Kasprzak, who has not raced at the Oak Tree Arena before, could miss Pirates' SGB Premiership double-header with Somerset on Friday, April 14.

The ex-Coventry man is set to ride in the Polish Golden Helmet final – a Grand Prix qualifier – provided he progresses from the semi-final at the end of this month.