BELLE Vue have named Connor Bailey as their No.8 rider for the 2022 Premiership – a move which brings the former Belle Vue Colt back to Manchester for the first time since 2019.
‘The Tornado’ starred for the club’s National Development League side in his debut season in British Speedway alongside Championship team Glasgow.
He again hooks up with the Tigers for the 2022 campaign, and says he’s delighted to be back at the National Speedway Stadium and continue his association with Belle Vue.
Bailey said: “I honestly never expected Mark [Lemon] to offer me the No.8 spot and it’s not an opportunity I was prepared to pass on.
“I’m really excited to be back at Belle Vue as part of this programme, it feels a bit like I’m coming home because I’ve not been back to the NSS since I rode for the Colts.
“I had originally intended to race for the club in 2020, but unfortunately I got stuck in Australia just as the pandemic hit and I was forced to stand down from both of my teams.
“Since then, I have been racing as much as possible to continue my development and I feel I have matured considerably in the time I spent away from British Speedway.
“If the opportunity to race in the National League arose, I would absolutely take any chance. It is a fantastic league to race in with plenty of competition.
“But at this stage in my career I want to focus on the Championship and continue progressing, and if the time comes where I have that chance in the Premiership I want to be ready.
“And as Belle Vue’s No.8 I really hope that chance will come. The stadium speaks for itself and it is such a professionally run club, I can’t wait to see what new challenges 2022 will bring.”
Visit Belle Vue’s website and social media for further club announcements.