Robins rider ratings v King's Lynn Stars

SWINDON ROBINS bounced back from a disappointing league campaign to take a 48-42 Knockout Cup victory on a highly competitive night of racing in the semi-final first leg against the King’s Lynn Aces. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his Robins rider ratings following the action.

PREMIERSHIP KO CUP S/F, 1st leg
 

SWINDON 48:Tobiasz Musielak 12, Troy Batchelor 10+2, Nick Morris 8, Adam Ellis 7, David Bellego 6+2, Zach Wajtknecht 5+1, Jack Smith 0.
 

KING’S LYNN 42: Niels-Kristian Iversen 14, Michael Palm Toft 12+2, Erik Riss 5+1, Robert Lambert 5, Thomas Jorgensen 4, Simon Lambert 2, Ty Proctor r/r.

1. Troy Batchelor: 9

Flew to the front in heat one and tried to team ride with Ellis for a heat maximum before Lambert closed the gap and the Australian had to push on. 

Replicated the same form in his second outing and never looked back as he and Ellis secured the Robins second heat maximum of the night. Deservedly received the rider of the night award after racing to a paid twelve points against his previous club.

2. David Bellego: 7

Came up the inside of Jorgensen in heat three to get third and split the points but didn’t appear at his quickest in his opening ride. Held off the challenge of British champion Robert Lambert in brilliant style hitting the outside line to claim Swindon’s first 5-1 maximum with Musielak in heat five. 

Endured a mixed night consisting of highs and lows as the Frenchman lacked consistency.

3. Adam Ellis: 6

Put up a real fight in his first race and almost secured a heat maximum with Batchelor before Robert Lambert swooped up his inside down the back straight on lap three. 

Pushed hard throughout the evening, but lacked speed at times and ended the night having scored a respectable seven points.

4. Tobiasz Musielak: 9

Chased Palm Toft hard but couldn’t find a way past the Danish rider in his first heat. But quickly resolved any issues as the Polish ace gated superbly and didn’t look back as he set off round the Abbey track with blistering pace to win his second ride. 

Top scored for Swindon on a competitive night of racing and pulled off a fantastic move round the outside of Iversen in heat fifteen to help Swindon extend their first-leg advantage.

5. Nick Morris ©: 7

Got a warning for jumping the start in his opening ride and was always chasing on the restart but couldn’t get past Iversen as Morris finished second.

Displayed fantastic pace in his next race and got up the inside of Lambert on bend one of lap three in heat eleven to execute a brilliant overtake and take heat advantage for the Robins as Swindon reduced the deficit to just two points.

Has endured a difficult season captaining the Robins but tonight was a big performance as Swindon push for cup victory.

6. Zach Wajtknecht: 7

Battled hard with Palm Toft in his first outing but couldn’t hold off the Lynn rider as Wajtknecht secured second. 

Appeared to have lost the pace as the meeting progressed and was out the back in heat eight before partnering teammate Tobiasz Musielak for a crucial maximum in the evening’s penultimate heat. Scored a paid six points and will have learnt a lot from a difficult night’s racing.

7. Jack Smith: 0

Another night of frustration for Jack Smith who has just never got into form whilst racing for the Robins. Scored zero points and didn’t once threaten to score. Is a problem for Swindon in reserve and it’s highly likely that his run in the clubs colours is almost at its end.