TAI Woffinden has answered a surprise birthday call from his British club Wolverhampton and is on his way back to British racing for the rest of the season!

The reigning world champion celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday and was pleased to answer the phone to Chris Van Straaten, the man who took him into British Elite League racing in 2009.He will make an emotional return to Monmore Green for their vital clash with Lakeside on Monday week, August 22.

Said Woffinden: “I’m in Sweden right now and it was nice of Chris to call me and wish me happy birthday – but he then asked if I’d be interested in going back there to help their title push for the rest of the season.“They’ve had a good season so far, I’ve still been following their results, and if I was going to ride again in Britain then it was always going to be for my parent club.“I can’t think of anybody better to ride for – Chris and Pete Adams are my mates and I’m pleased to go back there to try and help us win a gold medal.“This is a good opportunity for me and I’m really hoping it’s a move which will benefit both Wolverhampton and myself.“I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got to try and help us win the league, we’ve got some important meetings coming up and I’m looking forward to it.”Wolverhampton team boss Peter Adams, who worked alongside Woffinden for three years on the Grand Prix circuit, said: “This is an opportunity we simply had to take and personally I’m looking forward to working with Tai again.“I will say, however, that the signing of Tai still doesn’t guarantee us the title. We have to work hard as a team but to have the opportunity to bring in the world champion is something we cannot refuse.“We hope Tai can play his part in getting us over the line. We’ve had a tremendous season so far and hopefully this will spur us on for the last push and the play-offs.“I believe this is a move which any other club in the league would have made had it been possible, we are pleased to make it happen and we welcome Tai back.”