JAMES Shanes labelled his move to Poole Pirates as a “dream come true” after the club announced the Puddletown rider as part of their 2017 roster for the SGB Premiership.

Shanes has had a glorious year that included winning the European Grasstrack Championship and he now wants to show what he’s got on his home track.

Talking to Echosport, he said: “It’s a dream. For them to ring and tell me they wanted me was a shock.

“I’m delighted I get to ride for my local team. It’s like playing for Manchester United or Arsenal in Speedway terms. It’s a dream come true and I can’t wait to start the season."

The 19-year-old impressed with Kent in the National League last season, and now steps into the sport’s top-flight with a two-point average.

Shanes understands that it will be a huge learning curve for him but, it is one that he is relishing.

The teenager added: “Matt (Ford) has said that there is no pressure on me and that he wants me to enjoy the experience and learn from it.

“The only pressure that I will have will come from myself and I want to prove that it is the right decision to put me in.

“They (the riders) may have that little bit of knowledge that I lack and that could help with some of my problems.

“Everyone at the club is very experienced – including the management – and they could hold the keys to getting more out of me and giving me a bigger future.”

You would forgive Shanes for keeping his other commitments on the backburner for 2017 but he has other ideas.

“I’m going to be doing all of the same things as I did last season,” the 19-year-old explained.

“I’ve just qualified for the Longtrack GP, so hopefully I will be riding that, National League, and some Grasstrack too.

“It’s going to be busy and tiring year but, I will give it a go and see what happens.”

As he said, it’s going to be a big season for the Dorset rider and one that could see his stock rise to be one of the hottest prospects in the country.