PAIRMAN PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR U21 HOPEFULS

Poole co-promoter Gordon Pairman is giving personal backing to GB's young hopefuls this weekend as four riders bid for progress in the World U21 championship.

Pairman is providing three tyres to each of the GB contenders - Kyle Howarth, Stefan Nielsen, Ashley Morris and Josh Bates as they head for their respective semi-final rounds.

British Under-21 Champion Kyle Howarth competes in Round 1 in Pardubice Czech Republic on Friday, with Stefan Nielsen, Ashley Morris and Josh Bates all competing on Saturday - Nielsen and Morris in Terranzano, Italy whilst Bates makes the long trek to Zarnovica, Slovakia with places in the three-round Final at stake.

GB Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “All four boys have been getting ready for these events since being confirmed after the British Under-21 Final in April, and are all chomping at the bit with the chance to qualify for the prestige of riding in not one but three World Finals.

“Kyle is in top form at the moment as we all witnessed on Sky Sports on Tuesday night, not only competing with but beating seasoned internationals, and he would rate as Britain's best hope of making the latter stages of this competition.

“The other three boys, it would be fair to say are all underdogs, but not to be taken lightly as Josh only missed out of qualification last year after falling when leading his first ride when on the last lap. If he had completed that race he would have competed in the latter stages the tournament.

“We all know about the British sprit and when up against it, all four boys can be spoilers on their day, and if their day is this weekend there’s no reason why we can’t have more than one representative in this year’s World Finals.

“Our thanks to the BSPA and SCB for their support in this event and also to Poole co-promoter Gordon Pairman for supplying each of the riders three tyres to use in their Semi Finals.”

Pairman has always pledged his support for the development of the up and coming talent and has been no stranger to personal acts of sponsorship claiming "I believe it is important for the sport to get behind our British talent. All too often we complain that we do not have the resources when it comes to competing on the international stage and my view is we need to nurture the youngsters development as much as possible. Putting up their tyres for them is a small gesture on my part and I wish all four of them every success over the weekend.