End of season Robins rider ratings

After the Poole Pirates forced a handover of the Premiership trophy following their grand final victory over the King’s Lynn Stars, TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his Swindon Robins end of season rider ratings.

Manager: Alun Rossiter (6)

Winning the British Premiership title the previous season, Alun Rossiter did well to keep the majority of his title-winning squad with five of the winning racers choosing to stay at the Abbey.

However, as the season progressed the manager lacked the ruthlessness needed to replace some of his squad as the side started to falter. 

Jack Smith should’ve been replaced after his first few meetings and unfortunately, the team’s failure to reach the playoffs lies heavily on the decision to stick with the reserve.

1. Troy Batchelor (8)

Returning to the Abbey Stadium for his third stint in Swindon kevlars, Troy Batchelor endured arguably his best season in recent times. 

Starting at number five, Batchelor was the spearhead of the team as he put in big double point scoring performances to keep the Robins playoff hopes alive.

The 31-year-old seems to have matured both on the bike and off it and there is no doubting that he was Swindon’s rider of the season with his consistent scoring making him a solid replacement for the departed Jason Doyle.

2. David Bellego (5)

Bursting onto the British premiership scene with the Swindon Robins in 2017, the Frenchman was below-par throughout most meetings this season as a rider full of passion and determination, unfortunately, lacked in the ability to frequently score big in races when it mattered most.

A positive start to Swindon’s title defence saw Bellego form a key partnership with Troy Batchelor that often helped edge the Robins over the finish line. 

But towards the latter stages of the season, the number two would too often take multiple heats to find the right bike set-up by which time Swindon had fallen behind. 

David Bellego has the talent needed to make it big in British speedway, but improvement next year is much needed.

3. Adam Ellis (7)

When compared to last season’s performances, Adam Ellis has made massive improvements this year. 

Being one of the team’s three heat leaders mounted pressure on the Team GB rider to bang in the big points, and come the end of the season had seen his average increase by over a point, demonstrating Ellis’s potential.

Good home form saw the 22-year-old provide great backup to Batchelor, helping take the pressure off his teammates, but inconsistencies away from the Abbey saw Ellis struggle. 

A solid team rider makes him a key asset to any side, and hopefully he will be back in Swindon kevlars next season.

4. Tobiasz Musielak (7)

Back for his second season at the Swindon Robins, the Polish ace once again highlighted how key a signing he has been. Brought in mid-way through last season, Musielak was the missing cog needed to mount Swindon’s title charge. 

However, whilst unable to replicate the form of last season, this year was still one of advancement for the Leszno born shale racer. His on-track awareness is a massive improvement from last season whilst his bravery of forcing his way in the tightest spots past opposition riders is something to admire. 

His poor gating let him down at times but this has been a good season all-round for Tobiasz Musielak. He’s made his intentions clear that he wants to be back racing for Swindon next season, now it’s up to the powers above to make it so.

5. Nick Morris © (6)

Another season saw Nick Morris extend his six-year stint at the Wiltshire club. Unfortunately following on from his heroics of last season, this year was a backwards step in the speedway career of the Australian.

Being made Captain after the departure of Jason Doyle put big responsibility on the fan favourites shoulders, but this season was one of frustration for Morris. Failing to consistently score the double figures needed from a number one led to the 24-year-old dropped to number five.

A bad spell of nasty crashes midway through the season undoubtedly knocked Morris’s confidence on the bike but after being at the Abbey since 2012, a change of scenery may be a good career move for the Swindon skipper.

6. Zach Wajtknecht (8)

It’s difficult to put into words just how much Zach Wajtknecht has developed over the past two seasons racing for the Swindon Robins. Since joining the team at number seven, Wajtknecht has seen his career soar to new heights establishing himself as one of the leagues best reserve riders.

Having to do the jobs of two reserves for the majority of the racing calendar, the youngster seemed unfazed as he battled it out with some of the best to frequently race to big scores in difficult meetings. 

Mature well beyond his years, it’s evident for all to see that Team GB have a fantastic prospect coming through the ranks of the Robins. Quick out the gates and a dogged determination to chase till the end saw Wajtknecht excel in an otherwise disappointing season for Swindon.

7. Jack Smith (2)

Across the fourteen meetings that Jack Smith rode for the Swindon Robins this season, he only managed to score fourteen points.

Brought in as a permanent replacement for the injured Mitchell Davey, there were high hopes for the Belle Vue Colts rider, but it was soon evident that Smith wasn’t up to the required standard from an SGB Premiership rider. 

His poor performances played a major part in Swindon’s failure to reach the playoffs and it looks certain that he won’t be back racing for the Robins next year.