Bowtell completes Mildenhall’s line-up for 2016

Mildenhall Fen Tigers have completed their line-up for next season with the signing of exciting 18-year-old rider Alfie Bowtell.

The Chelmsford-born racer was announced as Mildenhall’s final signing for the 2016 campaign on Tuesday night, and has been tipped by Fen Tigers promoter Kevin Jolly to follow in the footsteps of last season’s breakout star Tom Bacon.

“He impressed me a great deal last season” Jolly said.

“As soon as we heard that Tom Bacon was not returning, he became my focus for the all-important number two position in our line-up for next season.

“He is a very determined and exciting rider who I know our supporters will very quickly take to, and after a fine first season where he averaged nearly four points, I think he can really kick on this season.”

Bowtell is the seventh rider to have signed for Mildenhall ahead of the 2016 season, with Connor Coles, Connor Mountain, Dan Halsey and Luke Ruddick all having re-signed with the club, while Fen Tigers legend Jon Armstrong and rookie Rob Parker have also put pen to paper for the West Row outfit.

“I am pleased to have completed our team for 2016,” Jolly said. “It is all getting a little crazy out there as teams look to finalise their line-ups.

“But we can now relax over Christmas knowing we are sorted before getting down to business in January. It is going to be an exciting year with the Fen Tigers and I can’t wait for the season to start now.”

Mildenhall’s newest recruit Bowtell only took up the sport last winter when he attended the successful Rye House training schools, but before then had been a top Moto-X rider and, while living in America, finished sixth in the world in Las Vegas.

After breaking his back twice Bowtell decided to give up the sport and purchased his first speedway bike last winter, and was then drafted in as a reserve for the Rye House Raiders where he made great strides to progress into the main team.

“Last year was a massive learning curve as just as I was settling in at reserve I found myself moved into the main body at number two,” the teenager said.

“That came as a bit of a shock but I soon settled and look forward to starting the season in that position for the Fen Tigers.

“I still have plenty to learn and that was an attraction to joining Mildenhall, with the likes of Kevin and Robert (Henry, team manager) plus a rider of Jon Armstrong’s experience I feel I can only learn and improve.”