Departing Workington Comets skipper Rene Bach has spoken about his agonising decision to quit UK speedway.

The 25-year-old Danish rider announced at Comets’ end-of-season awards night that he wouldn’t be competing in the UK in 2016.

Bach, who has been with Comets for the last four seasons, has decided to take a break from the Premier League.

He is planning to ride in Poland, Denmark and Sweden next season, and the travelling and high costs have influenced his decision not to ride in the UK.

The popular Dane, who was Comets’ captain for the last two seasons, said: “I think taking a break from the Premier League was the right decision.

“Travelling was getting a bit hard and expensive. What you make in the Premier League when you add it all up, you don’t make much money.

“It’s a hobby and I enjoy it, but at the end of the day I have to make money.

“I think for me it’s the right time to take a break.”

Speaking about his time with Comets, Bach was full of praise for the club he has come to cherish.

“I have always enjoyed it there,” he said. “It’s a good track, there are good people around the club and they have great fans.

“Come March next year I am going to be missing it when I see all the press and practice pictures.”

For Comets fans there will be a huge list of highlights from Bach’s time with the club.

But one moment immediately comes to his mind.

“Winning the Premier League Pairs with Adam Roynon in 2012 stands out for me – that was a bit special,” Bach said. “It was a good meeting.”

Captaining Comets was also a special feeling for Bach, helping him develop as both a rider and person.

He added: “It doesn’t come that naturally to me being captain and helping others. It was good for me to do that and develop myself.

“I think I have developed myself into a better rider doing that. I was proud being captain.”

And could fans see one of their favourite riders back at the Zebra Claims Stadium in the future?

“You never say never,” Bach said. “From next year the Premier League isn’t anything I will be looking at. As of now it’s going to be a year or two before I am back.”

Laura Morgan, Comets owner, paid tribute to Bach.

She said: “He has been an excellent servant for Workington to the point that when I was given the award for services to Workington speedway, I said there were some people who deserved it more than me.

“I had Rene in mind. If I could have shared it with him, I would have.”

Meanwhile, the annual BSPA annual general meeting was held on Sunday.

The biggest change will see every Premier League side having to select a British rider, who is eligible for the National League, in the No7 berth on a three-point average.