Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Italian Alberto Zorzi will once again represent Global Champions League leaders Valkenswaard United in this weekend’s leg in Shanghai.

Having won in the opener in Mexico and finished second last time in Miami, the reigning champions hold an eight-point advantage in the standings ahead of this latest contest.

Second place in the table is occupied by London Knights, new to the GCL this year, who will be represented by Ben Maher and Eduardo Menezes. The Knights won the Miami leg and will be looking to build on that success over the two rounds of this week’s event.

A second Irish rider will be involved in the Shanghai action as Darragh Kenny will line out with Jack Hardin Towell for Paris Panthers,. but both Cian O’Connor (Miami Glory) and Michael Kearins (Moscow Bears) are not involved in Shanghai.

O’Connor’s debut in the competition will be further delayed as he will miss the Madrid leg next month while resting from an injury sustained in Germany last weekend.

For the home team Shanghai Swans the challenge will be handled by Daniel Deusser and Roger-Yves Bost.

The first of the two rounds at the Chinese venue takes place tomorrow starting at 8am Irish time.

Mike Dunne

Global Champions League Standings ahead of Shanghai
1. Valkenswaard United 55
2. London Knights 47
3. St. Tropez Pirates 46
4. Chantilly Pegasus 38
5. Hamburg Diamonds 31
6. Miami Glory 29
7. Doha Fursan Qatar 27
8. Rome Gladiators 27
9. Cannes Stars 27
10. Shanghai Swans 25
11. Mexico Amigos 24
12. Madrid In Motion 23
13. Vienna Eagles 19
14. Monaco Aces 16
15. Paris Panthers 16
16. Cascais Charms 13
17. Berlin Lions 12
18. Moscow Bears 9