SWINDON'S Jason Doyle started the 2017 Grand Prix series in Slovenia on Saturday with a fourth-place finish behind Slovakia’s Martin Vaculik, writes Phil Rice.

After four rides Doyle was in the lead but in his final race he struggled and could not add to his score.

A second place by a bike length over Matej Zagar in his semi-final meant that he met Vaculik, Freddie Lindgren and Patryk Dudek in the final.

Drawn in the graveyard outside gate, Doyle could make little impression, finishing last. However after his awful injuries in the Torun GP last year, he will be quite content with his fourth position at this early stage.

The series moves to Warsaw on Saturday week.

Slovenian FIM Speedway Grand Prix, Krsko.

Martin Vaculik 16 (1st), Fredrik Lindgren 16 (2nd), Patryk Dudek 13 (3rd), Jason Doyle 12 (4th), Emil Sayfutdinov 12, Greg Hancock 11, Matej Zagar 10, Niels-Kristian Iversen 9, Tai Woffinden 8, Piotr Pawlicki 7, Bartosz Zmarzlik 6, Maciej Janowski 6, Chris Holder 6, Nicki Pedersen 3, Antonio Lindback 2, Nick Skorja 1.

Swindon’s Adam Ellis finished runner-up in the British Under-21 Championship at Poole last week with Zach Wajtknecht finishing joint eighth on seven points.

King’s Lynn’s Robert Lambert went through the meeting unbeaten and he is a genuine talent for the future.

With Swindon having no meeting between Monday night's clash with Poole and the home match against King's Lynn on May 18, Robins riders are working hard to get some track experience.

Nick Morris is now doubling up in the Championship with the struggling Berwick Bandits. Given his encouraging start to the season, the Australian can only benefit from more bike time.

His debut at Ipswich last Thursday was rained off and he struggled a bit last Saturday as the same side won in Northumberland with Morris scoring 7+1. The Bandits are at Redcar on Thursday.

Adam Ellis is in action at Sheffield on Thursday evening as he takes his place in the British Championship semi-final alongside Robins' asset Stefan Nielsen who has just signed for Scunthorpe having been without a side until recently.

Also on Thursday, the Swindon Sprockets under Lee Kilby’s management start their third-tier National Trophy campaign at the Isle of Wight in a three-team group including Plymouth.

The side will be led by Robins’ reserve Wajtknecht and also include former Robins riders Darryl Ritchings, Dan Greenwood and David Mason. Mason will captain the side. He approached Kilby some time ago and with his extensive experience and technical knowledge should provide the mechanical support that Kilby will appreciate.

Taylor Hampshire, aged 15, and Tai Woffinden’s brother-in-law Layne Cupitt will line up at reserve and the side is completed by David Wallinger who while certainly no teenager is making a return to the sport after suffering severe injuries.

The Sprockets side start their home season next Thursday (May 11) when Plymouth Devils visit.

Admission for Sprockets meetings at the Abbey will be £12 for adults, £9 for concessions and all kids will enter free.

Season ticket holders who did not choose to accept a refund following the withdrawal of Coventry from the SGB Premiership can enter the meetings using one of their season ticket vouchers and will receive a £5 refund on the spot.

Kilby said: “If we can generate good support for the two upcoming round-robin fixtures, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that a full National League campaign be on the horizon for us in 2018.

"That would be a dream for me. The Sprockets have produced very good riders over the years, and with our proud junior history it is just great to get the Sprockets back on track in competitive action.

"I’ve put together a really good looking team that embraces both youth and experience and will provide great entertainment on track.”