Birmingham make their way up to the Sports Insure Premiership in 2024 after several seasons of struggle at Championship level, so the task ahead of them this year both on and off-track is not an easy one.

However, you have to admire club CEO Nigel Tolley's commitment to the Brummies cause and he has made no secret of the fact that he will do whatever it takes turn around his club's fortunes.

Brummies fans had to wait until the 22nd January to find out who their top 2 were for the new season, and they come in the form of Vaclav Milik and Piotr Pawlicki.

30-year-old Milik is an 8-time Czech Republic champion and last raced in the UK with King's Lynn in 2015. Earlier in his career Milik showed GP potential, but he hasn't managed to reach the heights that many expected of him. However, he is still a very capable rider and arrives in the UK off the back of a very successful 2023 European season.

Former GP star Pawlicki previously raced for Wolverhampton, Poole and Coventry in the UK's top-flight and he is a very hard and exciting rider. The Pole is a world class performer who is capable of beating anyone and he is a real coup for the Brummies, as well as British Speedway.

Joining him is compatriot Wiktor Lampart. The 22-year-old is one of Poland's brightest prospects and he has competed at Polish Ekstraliga level since the age of just 17, regularly beating some of the world's best riders. He is an exciting talent, but his ability to adapt to UK tracks quickly will determine his level of success this season.

Completing Birmingham's top 5 are Brits Steve Worrall and Tom Brennan.

British number 2 Worrall is a proven performer at Premiership level. He is a quick trapper and has vast experience of racing on all Premiership tracks, which should prove valuable in a side with 3 newcomers this year.

22-year-old Brennan makes the move from Belle Vue, where he progressed from a Rising Star to an established performer in the main body of their team. Brennan is one of Britain's best prospects and he should provide capable back up to Birmingham's big-hitters.

The Brummies biggest strength should be at reserve, where Zach Cook and Leon Flint make the move from sadly defunct Wolverhampton and line up at numbers 6 and 7.

24-year-old Cook enjoyed a successful debut campaign at Premiership level in 2023. There is no reason to believe the young Aussie cannot continue the quick progress he is making in his career and he should be an asset to the Brummies in 2024.

Flint comes in as the Brummies' Rising Star and on paper, he should be the strongest rider taking up that position in this year's Premiership. The 2022 British U19 and U21 Champion only turned 20 in February of this year and alongside Cook, should provide the Brummies with a very useful reserve pairing.

BSN Verdict:

Birmingham don't jump out as a team that will challenge for silverware when compared to the rest of the league, but they have done well to secure some exciting overseas talent. Much will depend upon whether Milik and Lampart can bring their European from to the UK - if they can do that, the Brummies should be competitive in a very strong 2024 Premiership.

BRUMMIES LINE UP FOR 2024:

Piotr Pawlicki

Vaclav Milik

Steve Worrall

Wiktor Lampart

Tom Brennan

Zach Cook

Leon Flint (RS)