Pirates: Fitness key to Doyle return (From Bournemouth Echo)

Pirates: Fitness key to Doyle return

7:00am Saturday 7th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

JASON Doyle has been told by Pirates bosses – prove you are fully race fit and there could be a 2010 Poole team place waiting for you.

The unfortunate Aussie missed the whole of the Dorset side’s 2009 campaign when he aggravated a shoulder injury in a crash at Newport in March.

Doyle, who had originally crashed and injured his shoulder at Mildura in January, was forced to return to his homeland where he underwent an operation.

It’s been a frustrating time for the convalescing 24-year-old, a Premier League top dog with Somerset in 2008.

But Castle Cover Pirates chief Matt Ford has always believed in Doyle’s ability to succeed in the Elite League and has produced the perfect carrot for the Aussie to chase.

Ford told the Echo: “Jason is a Pirates’ asset and I rate him highly. I think he’s a special rider.

“It’ll take him time to settle down racing again because he hasn’t really ridden, bar that one individual meeting at Newport, since January.

“Our winter off-season is crucial for Jason to prove his fitness and get a contract back in England next year.

“I’d certainly consider Jason as a strong candidate for a Pirates place if he can show us he’s fit.

“He’s due to have his first comeback ride next week in Australia.

“His equipment is set up and he’s feeling as strong as ever. But there’s a big difference between feeling strong and race fitness.

“He needs to get on a bike, get some laps in and hopefully come through the Aussie championships in early January with no injuries.

“I’ve been in contact with Jason in the last three weeks. In fact, we’ve been in contact over the last year.

“He’s one of the riders I’ll be looking at with a view to offering a 2010 contract.”

Meanwhile, Ford has ruled out an immediate return to Poole for Kyle Legault, although the promoter said he’d love to work with the Canadian again at some stage.

Legault had to withdraw midway through his debut appearance for Pirates at Eastbourne in March after aggravating a leg injury he thought had healed during Bjarne Pedersen’s Testimonial three days before.

The luckless 24-year-old also missed the rest of the season and returned to Canada to recover.

Talking about the Sheffield asset, Ford said: “I’d never say never with Kyle. I like him a lot.

“I still believe if he can have an injury-free year he can hopefully progress and in future we can use him again.

“If he’s sensible, I hope he’ll do another year in the Premier League and then take it from there because that would be in everyone’s interest.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)