Ward to consider options

Darcy Ward: Could give up Elite League (Pic credit Fotospeedway.pl)

Darcy Ward has admitted he could be ready to give up the Elite League as he looks ready to his place in the Grand Prix series.

The 20-year-old former World Under-21 champion turned down an invite from promoters BSI to line-up in this year's world championship.

However, he turned down the place due to rule changes in Poland which would have meant him not riding in the Polish top-flight.

But now the Poole Pirates ace has confirmed that he is now ready to take on the chance if offered, and that looks highly likely.

However, he warns he could follow the path of many of the world's top riders by turning his back on the British system.

He says that the Elite League needs to look towards introducing a squad system which would allow more of the world's top riders to appear.

"I think it was a good decision to not do it [Grand Prix series] this year, it's obviously a big step," Ward told the Speedway Star.

"But I've been pretty steady with my points and I'm just starting to feel good after my injury, so the Grand Prix is really where I want to be next year and I'm hoping they ask the question.

"I am sorting of preparing for that to happen, and I just want to be ready if and when they ask."

Dropping Britain?

Asked about not riding in Britain, he added: "It is something I'm considering, dropping out of it.

"I know that is a bad way to put it, but if you talk to Chris [Holder] now, he's frustrated and pretty worn out. We have to ride some bad tracks in England and it's not nice.

"There are some rules they could make - allowing two number ones so that two riders could do half the year and mix up meetings."

Ward feels that a squad system would benefit British speedway.

"We've spoken to Matt Ford [Poole chief] and he has obviously said it would be a great idea, me and Chris have spoken to a lot of riders in Poland and they've said they'd come back to ride in England if that happened.

"People need to keep that in mind and perhaps it could be the future.

"They need to have a long hard think about it and maybe get hose rules in place and get the big boys back. I know they'd want to do it and it's just the meetings that kill it."