Swindon's elite of speedway prepares for new era at Blunsdon (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Swindon's elite of speedway prepares for new era at Blunsdon

BLUNSDON speedway is set for a new era of racing when the Pebley Beach Robins entertain Poole in the second leg of the Champagne Stakes tonight (Thursday).

With the first leg scheduled at the Dorset venue a night earlier, Swindon were looking for a favourable result to take into this return match.

The Pirates will doubtless provide formidable opposition for the mouth-watering fixture, since they completed a glorious treble last season - winning the Elite League Championship, Knockout Cup and British League Cup.

Eagerly awaiting the Blunsdon opening, Swindon boss Alun Rossiter stated, "It is not only going to be a big occasion for me, but a huge night for Swindon Speedway as the club enters a new era of Elite League racing.

"I've assembled what looks an excellent team for the challenges of the season ahead and the bookmakers have made the Pebley Beach Robins second favourites to win the league!

"This is great news for the town and the loyal supporters of Swindon Speedway. I don't want to get too carried away with predictions as only time will tell."

Rosco has opted to give popular Danish racer Charlie Gjedde the No 1 berth with the Australian duo of Steve Johnston and skipper Leigh Adams occupying the other heat-leader positions at numbers three and five respectively.

Filling the second-string roles are Swedish World Cup winner David Ruud and long-serving Olly Allen, who embarks on his sixth year in the Swindon camp.

Meanwhile, at reserve are the potentially high-scoring duo of speedy Pole Krzys Kasprzak and fan-friendly Dane Claus Kristensen.

This meeting will be the 77th between the two sides at Blunsdon in a series that dates right back to July 30, 1949.

Swindon have previously won on 49 occasions, compared to Poole's 23 successes, with four matches being drawn.

Teams for tonight, which parade at 7.30pm, are as follows:

Pebley Beach Swindon Robins (averages shown in brackets): 1 Charlie Gjedde (8.09); 2 David Ruud (5.36); 3 Steve Johnston (6.17); 4 Olly Allen (4.88); 5 Leigh Adams (9.97); 6 Krzys Kasprzak (4.70); 7 Claus Kristensen (3.47).

Poole Rias Pirates: 1 Jason Lyons (7.17); 2 Bjarne Pedersen (5.91); 3 Magnus Zetterstrom (6.41); 4 Davey Watt (4.77); 5 Tony Rickardsson (9.63); 6 Daniel Davidsson (4.50); 7 Antonio Lindback (4.50).