In case you missed it see what’s in this section
We recommend
Let's Talk
Your Total Guide To sport
Rossiter hails 'perfect captain' Jason Doyle
A 51-40 victory for the Swindon Robins over the Belle Vue Aces on Thursday night earned the Wiltshire club their second win of the 2016 Elite League season. Total Sport’s Ryan Walker spoke to Alun Rossiter in the aftermath.
Two defeats last week for the Swindon Robins made Thursday’s meeting a must-win for the Wiltshire club, and manager Rossiter insists it was the perfect bounce back for his side.
“It was a really good response from the boys really,” Rossiter began.
“I’m really pleased with everything.
“Especially against a team like Belle Vue. That was a great result," he added.
After losing two meetings last week to the Leicester Lions and Wolverhampton Wolves, many expected another defeat on Thursday night given the immense talent that the Belle Vue Aces have at their disposal.
But manager Rossiter admits the track played a big role in his sides victory over the Manchester club.
“One thing is that the track was a lot better tonight,” Rossiter explained.
“I know it’s the same for everyone but it always works against the home team when the track isn’t how you want it.
“But the boys showed great character to bounce back tonight," he said.
With five meetings gone for the Swindon Robins now, building positive momentum will be a key factor to success for the Wiltshire outfit this year. Something that Alun Rossiter agreed with.
“The key is to just get more meetings under our belt and keep the momentum going," insisted Rossiter.
“It’s going to be tough now because after Lakeside on Friday we have a couple of weeks off which is a bit of a shame.
“But hopefully tonight will give them the confidence for when we come back again," he stated.
When standing in the pits on the night it was clear to see that World number five Jason Doyle was fully taking on the role of being club Captain, giving advice out to his fellow riders at every possible opportunity and even helping with his teammates bike setups. And Rossiter believes that Doyle really is the perfect fit for Captaincy.
“Jason [Doyle] is perfect as Captain, absolutely perfect,” Rossiter admitted.
“He works around with the boys, talks to them and is always giving them advice on what lines to take on the track or helping with setups.
“Darcy Ward did a great job at doing the same when he was in the team last year, and Jason is just doing a fantastic job as well," says Rossiter.
Away from his Elite League club duties, Alun Rossiter must also focus on his duties as Team GB manager for the Speedway World Cup and admits that throughout the course of the night, he was keeping an eye on the performances of British World Cup hopeful, Scott Nicholls.
“Of course Scott Nicholls is in my thoughts for the British World Cup team,“ Rossiter said.
“A rider of his calibre will especially be fighting for a spot.”
Weather in Swindon
Listings