PIRATES reserve James Shanes has been routed to Eastbourne for the first British under-21 semi-final.

The Puddletown charger will be widely expected to secure one of seven spots which guarantee progress to the final at Birmingham.

Shanes will race on Saturday, April 7, with the second semi at Newcastle 24 hours later.

Defending champion and King's Lynn rider Robert Lambert has been seeded to the final, as has Belle Vue's Dan Bewley.

Shanes has won his past two British under-21 semis. He scored seven points in last year's final at Wimborne Road, suffering a controversial exclusion on his fourth ride.

Eastbourne: Henry Atkins, Josh Bailey, Tom Brennan, Max Clegg, Kelsey Dugard, Jason Edwards, Jamie Halder, Luke Harris, Jordan Jenkins, Drew Kemp, Ryan Kinsley, Ellis Perks, Luke Ruddick, James Shanes, Zach Wajtknecht, Lewis Whitmore. Reserves: Sam Bebee, Charlie Brooks.

Newcastle: Bradley Andrews, Kyle Bickley, Alfie Bowtell, Layne Cupitt, Leon Flint, Nathan Greaves, Taylor Hampshire, Joe Lawlor, Connor Mountain, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, Anders Rowe, Jack Smith, Alex Spooner, Jack Thomas, Callum Walker, Ben Woodhull. Reserves: Kean Dicken, Kieran Douglas.