b. 15th January 1987 (age 21)

Adelaide, Australia

Robert's Website

RISING Aussie star, Robert Ksiezak, has been handed the chance to carve himself a Belle Vue future as the 21-year-old, who rides for Premier League Glasgow, has been signed as the Aces' No 8.

Adelaide-born Ksiezak will be on permanent standby to come into the Belle Vue team in case of injury while continuing his learning curve with the Scottish track.

Ksiezak, third in the recent Australian Under-21 championship, made a full transfer to Glasgow last year after riding for them on loan from Edinburgh.

Gordon Pairman, a promoter at Belle Vue and Glasgow, said at the time the Aces would have first refusal on Ksiezak when he was ready for the Elite League. Pairman said: "It will be his fourth season in UK racing this year and the time is right for him to make the big breakthrough. "He did well in the Australian Under-21 event and, although he was 21 last month, he beat the cut-off to be eligible for the final and has now qualified for the World championship rounds.

"He was the only rider to beat winner Chris Holder, the new Australian champion, in the qualifying rounds of the Under-21 final. He was awarded third place overall after suffering an engine failure in the final.

"Belle Vue have got him in their sights as a rider for the future. He is an aggressive rider who has worked on the track at Glasgow to make extra money to finance his speedway."

Ksiezak, who also holds Polish nationality, came into speedway from BMX racing at which he was an Australian champion. He also competed in the World BMX championships and the scar on his face comes from his career on a pushbike and not speedway.

He caught the eye of Aces' skipper Joe Screen when he was riding in Australia this winter and looks ready to progress his career which began over here in 2005.