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Swindon Robins sign Adam Ellis

The Swindon Robins Speedway team have announced the signing of young British rider Adam Ellis.

Ellis, who has a 7.84 average, is the first new arrival through the door at Swindon ahead of next season, following the news that Jason Doyle will be kept on by the Robins.

New signing Ellis started his career with the Isle of Wight and was reserve for Great Britain in the Monster Energy FIM Speedway World Cup during the summer.

Swindon boss Alun Rossiter said of the arrival: “I’m backing Adam because he deserves a chance to race in the Premiership.

“He impressed me at the Elite League Riders’ Championship when he beat Niels-Kristian Iversen and his attitude is superb.

“I know the signing will raise a few eyebrows, but before anyone has a pop look at the positives – he’s a very classy rider and I feel he will enjoy riding in the same team as Jason Doyle.

“With my Great Britain manager hat on too, this has to be good news.”

A jubilant Ellis said: “It’s awesome to sign for Swindon. They’re a well run club, no-one can knock their ambition and everyone seems determined to have a better year in 2017.

“I really believe this could be a good move for me and hopefully I can make it a successful combination from the club’s point of view as well.

"Alun has put a lot of faith in me," Ellis said. "Choosing me as part of his Team GB squad in the World Cup was a pretty big deal for me and just being picked by an experienced team manager like Rosco is a confidence booster in itself.

“That whole experience was great for me and I certainly learnt a lot from the rest of the team but in particular Alun.

“He told me then that he could see I’ve got a good chance of going a long way in the sport if I stick at things the right way and hearing words like those from someone like him was a really good feeling.

“Signing me on this average in the new format shows he’s got a lot of belief in me and there’d be nothing better for me if I could repay that compliment with some big scores and performances for Swindon next season.

“I get on really well with Rosco and being like that with your team manager can be a huge bonus for you as a rider. To know that you’re going to know a few people before you pull up there as a home rider for the first time really can help you settle in even quicker and hopefully that’s how it will pan out too.

“I felt I took some decent steps forwards in the Elite League with Poole last year. I’m the first to admit that a few of my away scores could have been much better but overall, when I’d settled down and once I was dialled in I felt I went well and I want to have the same effect for Swindon next season.

“I showed what I’m capable of in the Elite League last season and that’s helped me set my goals even higher for next year.

“I just want to improve as a rider even further and I think Swindon is a good club who I can make good progress with.

“I haven’t got anything lined-up in the British Championship but I’ve already signed for one club in Poland and one club in Denmark so I’ll certainly be spending plenty of time on the bike.

“I think if I can pick up some regular rides in those leagues, then that will do me the world of good and it should help me when I’m back in England racing for Swindon."