GEORGE Piper insists it was special to be back as a winner with Weymouth, and claimed ‘whatever the Wildcats throw at me, I will take’ as he continues his return to the shale sport.

It has been a long road back for Piper, who signed for the Wildcats on his 15th birthday in 2006 and last rode for Oxford in 2007 before getting back on a bike this season.

The determined 24-year-old former Cats’ mascot, who is also a reserve at number eight for the Isle of Wight this term, admitted his comeback after nine years out has been “tough” but is striving to improve every time he takes to the track.

Piper, who skippered the Wildcats during their 20-16 victory over Exeter Falcons at Somerset, was a hero for the former Radipole Lane side, having claimed a victory in heat five after teammate Craig Nethercott had been excluded.

That set up a final-heat decider for the Cats, who romped to a 5-1 to record their first success back as a club.

Piper, who is based in Bournemouth, told Echosport: “It was my first win of the year as well so it was nice to get that done in a Weymouth jacket.

“For them to get their first win and me to get my first win all tied up very nicely.

“All the lads were great and I had a really great night.

“To get the win was an awesome feeling.

“My family came to watch me as well. My two children and my partner were there and they saw the win, which was good – last time they came I didn’t score a point!

“It was brilliant to have them there. They all came in the pits after and they were all really happy. It was a really good atmosphere."

Commenting on his return to speedway, Piper added: “It has been a tough year really, it was always going to be a tough year though because you can’t just jump on a bike and be a speedway rider overnight and I have been out for nine years, so I have to accept that.

“The pace has moved on, the bikes are different and it’s been like going back to square one but every time I ride I seem to get a little bit better and gain something from it.

“I am not quite where I want to be yet so these meetings for Weymouth are really pushing me on. I need races and track time.

“Whatever the Wildcats throw at me I will take. I am just going to keep plugging away, keep training and looking to get faster.

“As soon as they asked me to ride in Somerset I was definitely up for it. I will ride for them as much as I can – obviously I am very busy but it was great to be back.”

*Piper would like to give a thank you to his sponsors at speedwayportal.com and APT Cars, Bournemouth