RICHIE KEEN TO BE A DORSET DWELLER

Richie Worrall has pledged to become more of a ‘Dorset dweller’ in order to help the No1 Carpet Cleaning Poole Pirates successfully defend their SGB Premiership title.

Having been drafted in mid-season in 2018 after Chris Holder’s UK availability remained unresolved, Worrall helped the Pirates overcome a poor start to the campaign and claim the title in dramatic fashion.

But the St Helens-born charger is based in the North West and admitted he found travelling between Poole, his home and Championship clubs Glasgow and Edinburgh last year tough going.

And having signed for Championship new boys Leicester this term, Worrall revealed he would be aiming to spend more time in Dorset preparing ahead of key Pirates meetings to ease his travel burden.

The 27-year-old said: “It won’t work out all the time as I’m also riding for Leicester, but if I can I will be coming down the night before Poole meetings to make it as easy as possible.

“The drive down from Manchester is tiring, especially there and back in the same day after racing and then racing again the next day.

“It does take its toll so if I can make it a bit easier, that will be great for me.”

Worrall, who has also placed a renewed focus on his health and fitness thanks to innovative amino muscle infusion therapy, also has business interests away from the shale sport.

But with those off-track commitments now steadying, the Merseysider admitted he was able to place renewed focus on his speedway.

He added: “My preparation has been a lot better this year than in previous years and I’m able to put more time into my speedway now.

“Going into the year knowing you have a certain number of rides also means you can have confidence investing in your equipment, knowing you will see the money again.

“I’ve had a couple of challenge meetings this year for Leicester against Ipswich and then we had a Championship Shield meeting against Redcar at Leicester on Saturday and I went unbeaten so things look good.”

Worrall and the Pirates Class of 2019 get their 2019 season under way in the Premiership Shield at King’s Lynn on Monday, before the return leg at Wimborne Road on Thursday.

After this week’s annual press and practice was washed out, promoter Matt Ford confirmed his 2019 team would take in some home track time on Wednesday at 5pm, with the public invited to attend.