JASON Crump believes only Craig Boyce "knows" whether he really wants to carry on riding or not.

Boyce is currently deciding whether to extend his distinguished 20-year racing career after being dropped by Pirates near the end of last season.

Many pundits feel that Boyce, who celebrated his 40th birthday in August, could still be a major player in the Premier League.

In fact, he would appear to be the ideal replacement for Poole Castle Cover new boy Chris Holder at the Isle of Wight.

Many speedway followers also feel Chandlers' Ford-based Boyce can still do a good second-string job in the Elite League for a few more years, as well as run his burgeoning engine tuning business.

But Crump, Pirates' top man last season, said: "With regard to the rider side of things, it is something only Boycey can decide.

"He knows in his heart whether he wants to keep doing it or not.

"I'm sure between him and Becks (Boyce's partner) they will make the right decision.

"I wish him well whatever way he goes.

"We are mates and you always want the best for your mates whether he continues to ride or do something different."

Crump, however, "definitely" wants Boyce to carry on as Australia team manager because he feels the veteran is the ideal man to nurture the country's young guns.

The two-times world individual champion said: "Craig is cheesed off because he has completed a World Cup win as a rider but not as a manager.

"Craig needs to stick around for a few years so the likes of Troy Batchelor, Chris Holder, Jason Doyle, Rory Schlein and a few other young guys who are moving in the right direction come to fruition.

"That's because Leigh (Adams), Ryan (Sullivan) and myself aren't always going to be here.

"I think it's fantastic they have people like Craig to guide them, and it was a long time ago, but a lot of people forget Craig was world number three (in 1994)."

Boyce lost out to champion Tony Rickardsson and Hans Nielsen in a run-off for the individual title at Vojens, Denmark, that year.

Crump and Boyce, who succeeded Neil Street as national boss in 2005, helped Australia lift the World Cup in 2001.