SHEFFIELD co-owner Pete Mole says Josh Bates is the perfect fit for the new Rising Star scheme.

Bates has been included in the Tigers side for the new season with a four-star rating under the project which is aimed at riders having the opportunity to reach heat-leader status down the line.

The Barnsley boy fits the bill and it was no surprise when his parent club snapped him up.

Said Mole: “Josh is a true rising star. He could well turn out to be trump card for us, and I cannot understand certain negativity.

“Josh is exactly the rider this great new scheme will help. He is inexperienced in the Premiership and has the potential with a run in the team to become one of the new stars in England which is exactly what the scheme aims to develop.

“Being a Sheffield asset, it made perfect sense for him to return to a track he enjoys riding.”

Mole is also ‘buzzing’ by the prospect of Owlerton opening its doors again on May 17, as set out in Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.

He said: “Speedway sits nicely in the middle of this, as we aim to start our season on May 17.

“I'm buzzing and cannot wait to hear the roar of the bikes again, get the smell of methanol, and have a good chat with friends and fellow fans when the tapes go up, the friendly banter discussing incidents with opposing fans, that referee decision, the atmosphere that only speedway fans understand.”