My names is Matt Bates, I’m a 19 year old speedway rider from Exeter. I started riding speedway in 2003 at Newport (Wales) and was a mascot with the Exeter Falcons 2003/2004. 2004 was my first full year in speedway and I came 5th in the British under 15 championship behind riders such as Josh Autry Shane Waldron and Simon Lambert. I also made my conference debut for the Coventry Krogers. In 2005 i started with the weymouth wildcats in the conference league then moved to mildenhall. In my first meeting i broke my back in two placed which kept me out of action untill the end of the 2005 season. However before the season ended I came back for my home team the Exeter Falcons in the premier league which was one of my dreams as I had been mascot for the previous two seasons. In the 2006 season I lined up for the rhinos in the British Academy league and the Poole Pirates in the southern league where I was captain. 2006 was a good year for me as I was reserve for the Elite Riders championship, taking four of Mark Loram’s rides. In one race I lined up against world champion Jason Crump and number two in the world Greg Hancock. In the same season my Rhinos team came second in the grand final at Briton Bonanza ten, which was amazing
My ambition in speedway is to reach my full potential. As long as I’m having fun riding my bike and have the support of my sponsors and family I know I’ll be a speedway rider.

Matt Bates