Robins Rider Ratings: Swindon Robins (45) v (45) Poole Pirates

Swindon Robins endured a frustrating bank-holiday Monday of racing after picking up just a single league point over two legs of racing against the Poole Pirates. Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker gives his Robins rider ratings after an evening of frustration as track issues marred the occasion.

1. Jason Doyle © (6.5)

Top scored for the Robins in Swindon’s daytime defeat away at Wimbourne Road before putting in a Captain’s performance to help the Robins earn a league point at the Abbey Stadium in the evening. Scored an uacteristically low 5+3 points and withdrew from his last ride with concerns over an aggravation of a previous shoulder injury. Got stuck in with manually helping to prepare Swindon’s track but will be disappointed to have not been able to contribute more to the result. Team rode well with newboy Jensen to earn Swindon some early heat wins.

2. Rasmus Jensen (10)

Making his home debut for the club after replacing Dawid Lampart, Jensen was fantastic as he top scored for Swindon finishing his evening with 14+1. Looked super quick in every race and made passing opposition riders appear effortless. Jensen’s machinery was set-up to perfection with the 25-year-old easily getting the better of Poole’s big-name riders early on before the away side staged a comeback in the latter stages of the meeting. Jensen produced the perfect debut performance and could prove to be the difference for Swindon for the remainder of the season.

3. Tobiasz Musielak R/R

Rider replacement operated after crashing in the days earlier fixture.

4. Adam Ellis (8.5)

Endured a promising evening of racing against a difficult opposition. Ellis scored 11 points in Swindon’s 45-45 draw with the Pirates, and is quickly establishing himself as Mr. Reliable within this Swindon Robins side. Gated well all evening and was brave when overtaking Grajczonek and Jakobsen in heat 14 to earn Swindon a heat victory and keep the scores level. Ellis has certainly stepped up so far this season and is quickly establishing himself as one of the league's best number four’s.   

5. Troy Batchelor (8)

Cut a physically frustrated figure at the state of Swindon’s track but managed to score a  commendable 10+1 as Swindon remained unbeaten at the Abbey Stadium so far this season. Won big races when it mattered most but the Australian ace seemed to struggle for his usual speed and instead had to rely on his years of experience to help Swindon push Poole all the way. Another good performance from the heat leader but the Robins now need to start picking up the points.

6. Zach Wajtknecht (4)

Earned a hard-fought second place in his opening ride before four consecutive last place finishes concluded a disappointing days racing for young Zach Wajtknecht. Wajtknecht was easily passed by Poole riders as the evening progressed, with the Robins reserve again looking short of the speed needed to compete. Fans and fellow riders alike now how good Wajtknecht can be, now he must improve after a difficult start to the season.

7. Ellis Perks (5)

Ellis Perks has made a quick start to his career at the Swindon Robins after being drafted in by manager Alun Rossiter to replace James Shanes the previous week. Scored a respectable 5 points away at Poole earlier in the day before racing to a 2+1 total in front of a packed Abbey Stadium. Perks looked to be trying to get to grips with Swindon’s new-look track and it won’t be long before the British-born racer is piling up the points in Robins kevlars.