ALUN Rossiter says Chris Harris more than deserves his spot back in the Great Britain team after recalling the three-time national champion for this year’s World Cup campaign.

‘Bomber’ Harris was omitted from the GB squad last summer amid an indifferent season but has enjoyed a resurgence following a move to SGB Premiership newcomers Rye House Rockets in 2017.

Of British riders, only national team captain Craig Cook has a higher average than Harris in the top flight this year, the pair being joined in the team by Steve Worrall and Robert Lambert, with Swindon Robins’ Adam Ellis named as the U21 reserve.

GB will battle for a place in the World Cup final on Saturday when they began their campaign in Event One against Australia, Czech Republic and the USA at the Adrian Flux Arena in King’s Lynn.

Rossiter explained: “Chris has been riding well. He brings a lot of experience and I know what it means to him when he pulls that GB jacket on, he just lifts his game.

“He is also one of the only few people that have got a 15-point maximum at King’s Lynn this season.

“I know what I am going to get with Chris. He missed out last year but I think he deserves his call-up this year.

“The last spot was a toss-up between Danny King and Steve Worrall. Steve just missed out last year and I just felt he deserved his chance this year and we should give him a go. 

“He’s another rider we’ve blooded since he was a youngster and has come through the Fast Track system, which is no mean feat.”

Rossiter admits he has copped a bit of flak over his decision to name youngster Lambert in the main body of his team rather than have the 19-year-old as the U21 reserve.

However, the GB boss believes the inclusion of the King’s Lynn youngster is more than justified.

“Certain people have criticised me over the U21 choice, not so much that Adam Ellis is in it but the fact I didn’t put Robert Lambert in it,” said Rossiter.

“I have talked to my team now for the last two weeks, we’ve looked at it and debated it and I don’t think there is any huge advantage of having Robert at reserve.

“Robert is one of our better riders, I felt he was more valuable being in the team than being left on the side. On his day, he is one of our top three riders.

“You’d like to think the boys can do the job against the Czechs and the Americans, although that’s without disrespecting them in any way shape or form, or writing them off.

“If the boys get a first or second in their first race, how can I drop them then to put Robert in and how would their confidence then be for the rest of the competition?”