MARK PLUMMER gets the lowdown on newly-crowned British Under-21 champion JOSH BATES in his latest in-depth "˜Friday Feature' interview . . .
It was Wednesday lunchtime when I gave Josh Bates a call. In other words, just about the afternoon after the night before.
Roughly 15 hours earlier the Sheffield and Mildenhall talent had been crowned (somewhat surprisingly, by even his own admission) British Under 21 champion after keeping his cool when others around him crumbled in the cauldron of a national final.
That marvellous success at Monmore Green on Tuesday continued a meteoric rise for a 17 year-old who didn't sling his leg over a motorcycle for the first time until four years ago.
It is no wonder he declared to feeling "˜over the moon' seconds into our conversation, but it quickly became clear that Bates also boasts a pair of feet fixed firmly on the ground.
His British crown wasn't followed by big, brash declarations of future world domination. In fact there was not a single hint of arrogance - just a hell of a lot of appreciation to those who have plotted his journey and pride at his own performance in the saddle.
"Tuesday was my night, but it doesn't mean other things will be on a plate for me," stated Bates.
"Nothing gets given to you in this sport and the only way to gain success is by putting in the hard work on and off the track.
"Some riders make big statements about what they think they can do, but I'm not going to do that.
"I have my targets though. I aim to score double-figures wherever I go in the National League and I just want to take it race-by-race in the Premier League."
It would be difficult not to get carried away though considering the dramatic circumstances in which Bates became the top dog of a new generation of young Brits. He came through a nerve-jangling Under-21 showpiece race which was finally completed at the third attempt.
The initial staging was halted when Stefan Nielsen hit the deck in the third bend of the opening lap, and take two didn't make it beyond the opening corner as a tangle between Adam Ellis and Jason Garrity led to the latter being excluded.
But it proved to be third time lucky as Bates again got away smartly, took command and breezed to victory from Ellis in a match race.
"I can't usually gate to save my life, so to manage to produce three really good starts in the biggest race of my career was really pleasing," he added.
"I went there with the aim of scoring a few points and enjoying the occasion, but it was when I reached the final that I started to tell myself that I could win it.
"I didn't want to end up on the floor in my first ride, but I wasn't too disappointed as it was the result of my own silly mistake.
"I was leading by almost a full straight at the time and shut off a bit too much coming into the corner. The bike died on me and I thought to myself "˜oh no' as I came off.
"I knew I would have to make up for that in my remaining rides and thankfully I did enough to get into the semi and then the final.
"I just gave it everything every time the tapes went up in the final and it was a great feeling to come home in front."
Bates' three uncles "“ Damien, Mark and Kieran "“ have all had a big influence on his speedway journey.
Kieran acts as his mechanic while Damien and Mark were responsible for giving him his first-ever taste of speedway when taking him along to his local track, and now his home track, Owlerton. Little could any of them have imagined four years ago that a star would be born as a result of that night on the terraces.
"All I remember about the first meeting I watched at Sheffield is that Josh Auty had a big crash," continued Bates.
"I couldn't tell you who Sheffield were riding against that night, but Josh was the first rider I liked because we share the same name!
"My uncles asked if I liked speedway enough to have a go and it has also gone from there."
Bates is also indebted to former rider Louis Carr, his current team boss Joe Screen, and fellow racers Ashley Birks and Ty Proctor for some vital help during his fledgling career.
He is particularly grateful for the input of the last-named rider. Bates revealed: "All those people have helped me a lot, but Ty has been absolutely brilliant.
"He gave me some great advice to always approach meetings with a calm attitude and he knows so much about the bikes.
"He came to my workshop on Tuesday to work on my clutch with me and was there at the meeting too. I'm massively grateful to him. He is a top bloke who will help anyone."
Bates had initially been part of the first Elite League fast-track draft and found himself snapped up by Swindon.
But the teenager opted against taking up his team berth with the Robins when the opportunity to ride for Sheffield, now under the ownership of a consortium including his uncle Damien, arose.
The top-flight is very much on his radar though if the right opportunity comes up. After his exploits earlier this week, it is surely only a matter of time.
