Glasgow Tigers newboy Michael Penfold can light-up Ashfield, says boss

May 7 2010 By Fraser Wilson

Glasgow Tigers

GLASGOW boss Stewart Dickson has told Tigers fans to expect thrills and spills aplenty when rookie racer Michael Penfold rides into town.

The 18-year-old jets into Scotland next Friday to become the latest Australian on the club's books.

And he is expected to go straight into action in the Premier League clash with Newport at Ashfield two days later as a straight replacement for crocked Robert Ksiezak.

Aussie pals Josh Grajzconek and Mitch Davey - who were instrumental in attracting Penfold to Glasgow - are busy working on his machinery this week so the New South Wales youngster can hit the ground running.

And boss Dickson reckons Penfold is set to light-up Ashfield with the kind of no-nonsense riding his compatriot Grajzconek is famed for.

Dickson said: "Michael only turned 18 in November and is basically a throwback to Josh and Mitch when they came over at that age, although maybe not quite so raw.

"I have seen videos of him in action and it makes for exciting viewing. Let's just say Michael Penfold has guts.

"When he races he really goes for it - he is an out and out racer which makes him an exciting addition to the team."

Penfold has garnered a promising reputation back in his homeland and was last year called into the North Queensland team in the 4TT at Brisbane to ride alongside Grajczonek and Davey - going on to win the competition.

Another competition he put his mark on was the meeting at Broadmeadow in early December when he won the B final although unfortunately was to suffer bike problems in the final.

Penfold agreed a deal with Glasgow back in January and was expected to land in Scotland later in the summer.

However, the shocking knee injury which has ruled Ksiezak out for the rest of the season has hurried his arrival.

Dickson said: "Michael will be the youngest rider in our team and, ideally, he would have come in and started at reserve. But with things being as they are he is going straight into the body of the team.

"It's exciting for the promotion because nobody really knows what to expect.

"But we are confident he will play his part this season - as long as he doesn't keep bending his bikes because he really goes for it out on the track!

"It's a long way for an 18-year-old to come but Michael knows we have looked after Josh and Mitch and the word has got back to him that Glasgow is a good place to come.

"Hopefully we are starting to get our rewards for looking after the Aussie boys."