JAMES Shanes has vowed to ride with his head in tonight's British under-21 semi-final at Peterborough, insisting he will avoid "stupid moves".

Ten of the 16-strong field will advance to the final at Wimborne Road later this month and Pirates reserve Shanes believes a measured approach is the way forward.

The Puddletown-based youngster won last year's semi at Kent – his club at the time – with his maiden individual maximum. And while keen to perform well at the East of England Showground, Shanes says securing progress is the number one aim.

He told the Daily Echo: "There's big pressure but at the same time there's not big pressure – you just have to qualify. There are a lot of qualifiers so as long as you are in those spots, you are happy.

"It comes down to a bit of racing and a bit of using your head. You know the points when you are going round and if second place does it, second place does it.

"You don't need to pull any stupid moves."

Shanes, who has never ridden competitively at Peterborough, admitted the decision to stage the final at Poole – on Wednesday, April 26 – had come as a surprise.

He added: "I was told it was on a Wednesday and that I was going to like the track, and I spent ages trying to work out where it was going to be.

"I wasn't expecting them to announce it was going to be at Poole. It adds a bit more pressure being my home track but I will take in my stride."

Semi-final line-up: Jack Smith, Kelsey Dugard, James Shanes, Zach Wajtknecht, Luke Harris, Nathan Greaves, Connor Mountain, Ellis Perks, Jack Thomas, Josh Bailey, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn, Danny Phillips, Danno Verge, Nathan Stoneman, Alfie Bowtell, Danyon Hume. Reserves: Joe Lawlor, Jamie Halder.