PIRATES charger Zane Keleher admitted his heartbreak over not being able to feature competitively in the skull and crossbones this season.

The Australian racer had given up a job in engineering back in his homeland to pursue his career as a speedway rider and come to the UK.

He was set to make his British debut for Poole this season but was not able to turn a wheel in a league meeting.

British Speedway chiefs on Tuesday announced the campaign would be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week setting out October as the time for crowds to be back in stadiums, British Speedway Ltd made the decision to cancel the season.

Posting on his official Facebook page, Keleher said: “I’m not usually lost for words but it’s difficult to describe the heartbreaking feeling when I got the news!

“Forever the optimist, I’ll make the most of the situation and make a new plan for the remainder of 2020 and on to 2021 with Poole Pirates Speedway.”