ROOKIE racer James Shanes admitted he thought he had been on the end of a practical joke when Pirates chief Matt Ford enquired about his services.

The Puddletown-based youngster will take the plunge in the British top flight in 2017 having joined the Wimborne Road club during the off-season.

Promoter Ford brought Shanes in on a two-point average and the 20-year-old is still pinching himself at the idea of donning Poole leathers.

Dorchester-born Shanes told the Daily Echo: "I guested for Somerset at the end of last season and Matt was there, so he has seen what I can do.

"But over the winter, he was the last person I expected a phone call from. My first thought was that it was a bit of a joke!

"When he rung me, I was actually out shopping. He told me what he was planning, gave me a couple of days to think about it and when we checked in again, I said yes.

"It was nice to be asked. It's a big pat on the back and, hopefully, this year I will ride as well as I know I can.

"I've watched Hans Andersen and Krzysztof Kasprzak since I was little and now I will be riding with them. It's a dream come true."

Shanes has spent the past two years at Kent and has also ridden for Devon and Coventry II.