The British Cycling Cycle Speedway Individual Championships take place in the south and south Wales regions before concluding on Bank Holiday Monday in Exeter.

Men’s competition

Reigning British champion Zac Payne takes his place in the line-up at Southampton in semi-final one on Sunday. Payne took the crown last year at an incredibly damp Ipswich track, piecing together five fine riders on his way to his first British title.

He is joined by other seeded riders - who are the top eight entrants from the 2015 final - Lee Aris, Myke Grimes and Paul Heard, with four seeded riders at Poole in semi-final two - Charlie Rumbold, Chris Timms, Ben Mould and Andy Angell.

Internationals Mark Carmichael, Mark Boaler, Lewis Osbourne, Matt Smith, Ben Higham and Jack Harrold also feature in the semi-finals, along with 2016 European finalist Jake Read, reigning world veteran champion Craig Marchant, and European junior champion, Brandon Whetton.

There is also a welcome return for five-time British Champion, Dave Hemsley, as he lines up in semi-final two at Poole after a successful year racing for Leicester in the Midland League.

The top eight from each semi-final will make their way to Devon the following day for the final at 3pm.

Women’s competition

A straight final takes place in the women’s event in Exeter, starting at 1pm.

World champion Vicky Brown of Sheffield will be the main challenger for Exeter's home grown heroine Lauren Hookway. The two went toe-to-toe in the European championship final, with Hookway coming out on top for her first major title.

Brown was crowned British champion in 2015 after dominating proceedings in Ipswich following her world title win, whether she or anyone can stop Hookway on her home shale remains to be seen.

Other likely challengers consist of former champion Charlie-Jane Herbert and Laura Watson, with the South Coast duo of Krissy Mines and Macie Schmidt also having successful campaigns so far this season.

Lucy and Michelle Whitehead are always in the thick of the action at the top end of the scoresheet and are more than capable of using their experience to race to glory.

A report from the British Cycling Cycle Speedway Individual Championships will appear on the British Cycling website.