Speedway sensation touted as future World Champion

That is the view of the 15-year-old's grandfather Tony Thompson amid talk of the Bexhill-based rider one day becoming World Champion.

"They're talking about him as a future World Champion," Thompson said, "but that's a long way off and he's not getting big-headed at all. But he's definitely class in the way he looks and the way he rides and he will get there. He wants to move up to the Premier League next year and have a few Elite League rides as a reserve before moving up to the Elite League when he's 17."

Bridger, pictured, is currently competing in the colours of the Weymouth Wildcats in the third-tier Conference League.

He top-scored with 10 points for the second-placed Wildcats in their defeat at Armadale on Saturday and was on course for a maximum before Sunday's match at Scunthorpe was abandoned after three of his heats.

Bridger, who is averaging over nine per meeting in his debut season for Weymouth, also clocked a Wessex Stadium best of 53.3 seconds against Newport recently.

Great Britain under-21 manager Peter Oakes told the Dorset Daily Echo: "Lewis is probably the best of a crop of very good youngsters in this country at the moment and one of the most accomplished motorcycle riders I've ever seen. He appears equally at home on a trials, road or speedway bike and he's got a wonderful temperament for one so young.

"I'm convinced he's got what it takes to make it at the highest level, although I think it's important Lewis starts getting some Premier League experience under his belt as soon as possible."

In a dream season thus far, Bridger was also a member of Weymouth's Conference League Fours winning side, won the Paul Strank Roofing Open Championship and had an impressive spin at the Millennium Stadium before the British Grand Prix in June.

Oakes added: "One of Lewis' biggest assets is his willingness to listen and learn. Not once has he turned down an opportunity to ride this summer, whatever the event or occasion. Certainly he's close to a place in the Great Britain Under-21 side and who knows what he might achieve over the next couple of years."

Paul Baker, sports editor of the Dorset Daily Echo, commented: "He's the best young speedway rider I have ever seen in many years of covering the sport. No question he's going to be World Champion one day."