Rory Schlein: I will be back to defend my British title

The Wolverhampton skipper secured his maiden victory in Monday’s eventful behind closed doors meeting at Belle Vue’s National Speedway Stadium.

He was due to return to his native Australia next month but with the pandemic wiping out an entire league season he will stay for one more year – and wants to be back with Parrys International Wolves.

“I’m committed to racing next year and I definitely want to come back and have another crack at the title,” he said. “Hopefully things are back to normal by then and we can have all the big boys taking part because we want it to be a spectacle. It’s the British Final, it’s the best riders in Britain and I can’t wait to be back.”

Schlein battled his way through tough conditions with a classy performance to beat Richard Lawson, Jason Crump and Steve Worrall in the title decider.

He said: “I’m over the moon, I really am. The weather conditions made things pretty tough and we didn’t have it all our own way all night. We really had to fight for it.

“I learned a lot from the meeting as we were going along. I made a very small change to my bike in my last programmed ride and I kept that change going into the final which I’m glad I did!”

And the Monmore favourite revealed how he had to keep a promise of supper from a fast food chain for his mechanics.

“I made a bet with my team that if I won, I’d treat them to a Colonel (KFC) on the way home,” he said. “But I didn’t come here with any goals or ambitions. I just wanted to ride.

“I’ve been in the sport for a long time and winning is a wonderful feeling, of course, but nothing can beat that feeling when you’re racing. Just to be here riding my bike.

“Not only that, I got to race against a hero of mine from when I was little, Jason Crump, and I didn’t think I’d ever be doing that! It’s been an interesting and memorable night for me, I’m delighted.”