Perry ready to take it to the Max at Poole after recovery mission

RISING star Max Perry admitted it was “surreal” to get the call to ride for Poole Pirates and insisted he was “heading in the right direction” in his recovery mission.

The talented teenager joins Sam Hagon at reserve for the Dorset outfit in 2024 on a two-point average.

Perry is currently on the mend after suffering a broken and dislocated right wrist, a broken right ankle and bruising to the lungs following a crash in the National Development League grand final last November.

But having made good progress in his physiotherapy sessions following the spill – Perry insisted he would be ready to step up to Championship level at Wimborne Road.

He said: "I used to watch Poole when I was younger, so to ride for a club I used to support feels a bit surreal.

“I was really surprised to receive a phone call from Matt (Ford, owner). I was not expecting it and I feel honoured to be asked to be a Poole Pirate.

“Poole is going to be a fantastic club to start my Championship career with. I know I will gain a lot of experience, receive the right guidance and it will give me a big confidence boost riding with such a great team."

He added: “My recovery is heading in the right direction. I am working hard at home as well as having a private physio session each week, which is very kindly being supported by the Ben Fund. In January, those sessions will be increased to two per week with the aim of getting back on my bike in February."

Six Pirates have now been confirmed for Poole’s 2024 line-up. Skipper Ben Cook will lead Richard Lawson, Tom Brennan, Zach Cook and reserve duo Hagon and Perry.

Promoter Danny Ford added: "Max was in our plans long before the decision was ratified at the recent AGM for all clubs to commit to the Youth Programme and with Max joining Tom Brennan and Sam Hagon in the team for this year certainly means that Poole have three highly talented young British riders.

"As far as the two-point riders are concerned, Max is right up there, probably one of the best as his average last season in the NDL and he shows no fear as he demonstrated in his great heat win in the Championship Pairs when he led home Josh Pickering and Kyle Howarth.

"We had planned to make Max a Pirate even prior to the horrific injuries he sustained during the NDL grand final at Oxford on the last day of the 2023 campaign.

“Thankfully, he is on the way to recovery and assures us that he will be ready to race come the start of the season, which is fantastic news."