JOSH Bates has vowed to entertain the Blunsdon crowd after being drafted by the Robins for 2014.

The 17-year-old Yorkshireman was Alun Rossiter’s second pick in yesterday’s draft and will now line-up alongside Steve Worrall at the bottom end of the Robins team.

The youngster, who rode for Mildenhall and Stoke last season, is the first to admit he is not a lightning gater but is keen to pass at any opportunity - a quality he hopes will endear him to the Swindon crowd when he makes the jump up to Elite League level.

“I’m really excited about this chance and I can’t wait to ride in the league because it’s where all the best riders are,” he said.

“We will have to see how it goes but I can’t wait to get started.

“I’m not from near Swindon but I wanted to ride for Swindon from the start, and I know Stevie (Worrall) really well and Ashley (Birks) too who raced there last season.

“I want to enjoy it, that’s a big thing, but at the same time it’s really serious.

“I am the sort of rider who puts in 110 per cent in every time I ride my bike and that’s all I can do.

“I like to pass and I don’t like to sit behind people, and if the chance is there to pass someone then I will pass them.

“I might not be the best gater but I am working on it over the winter and I am sure I will make big strides.”

Bates believes the fast-track scheme is the perfect way to help young riders to progress and is looking forward to learning from the some of the best racers in the world.

“For the young riders we will get to see just how fast the big boys really are compared to people like us, and it will be great to learn from them,” he said.

“People like Greg Hancock raced in the league last season and being around people like that in the pits can really help us.

“Their experience can help us along a lot and I can’t wait to get started.”