TIME OUT FOR BAILEY

FORMER British Under-21 Champion Connor Bailey is to step down for the remainder of the season after being signed off due to mental exhaustion.

The Belle Vue and Redcar rider took two rides in Sunday’s Ben Fund Bonanza at Workington but after falling in his second outing he was withdrawn from the meeting, and he has now confirmed his decision.

Bailey said: “After extensive consideration over the last couple of weeks, I have reached the regretful decision to sit the rest of the season out from speedway, as I am not in the right headspace to perform at my peak, or safely attack tracks.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision to make, but one I believe pertinent to my overall wellbeing, as I know I cannot continue in this way.

“This is something that has been building for a while, it has affected my mental focus no end, and reached a stage where I can’t keep trying to push through it.

“I can only apologise to my respective teams, fans and sponsors, and wish them all the best as the season continues.”