WAJTKNECHT DETERMINED TO KEEP IMPROVING

ZACH WAJTKNECHT continued to impress for the Swindon Robins after racing to a paid twelve points total in Thursday’s 51-39 victory over the Wolverhampton Wolves.

TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker was in the pits to get the reaction of the British rider.

Successive away defeats earlier in the week made Thursday’s win over league rivals Wolverhampton all the more important. And after helping his side to victory, Zach Wajtknecht explained how vital it was for Swindon to get back to winning ways. 

“We said before the start of the evening that we wanted to win and it was important to do that tonight,” said Wajtknecht.

“The last two meetings this week have been close and it’s not as if the other teams have pulled away from us in meetings.

“It’s good to get the three points tonight and secure the victory,” he added.

Victory over Wolverhampton ensured a return to the top of the premiership table for the Swindon Robins. Following the rise to the top, Wajtknecht was keen to highlight how much a strong league position helps confidence in the camp.

“I think it is important to be top of the league and it’s really good for confidence levels,” he said.

“It’s intimidating for other sides to come up against us when we are top of the league.

“It’s a great position to be in,” added Wajtknecht.

A ruptured spleen last season meant Wajtknecht had to watch from the sidelines as the Swindon Robins made history winning the 2017 league title away at Wolverhampton. But the Bristol born racer stated he was determined to earn his side the victory against one of their biggest title rivals.

“I couldn’t be involved in winning the league away at Wolverhampton last season and I wanted to make sure we got the win tonight,” said Wajtknecht.

“I don’t think at the start of the year you can predict anyone to win the league this year.

“All the teams are quite even and everyone seems to be capable of beating each other,” he said.

Top quality performances prior to last season’s injury meant the pressure would be on Wajtknecht to perform again this year. And the 20-year-old told of how much his grass track riding has helped him to develop on the speedway track.

“I’ve tried to keep everything the same as what it was prior to my injury last season and it’s working really well for me,” explained the reserve rider.

“Before my injury last season I was starting to find the right set-ups and was riding well.

“I want to try to keep improving and the past few meetings have been really good for myself,” he added.

“After racing grass track I did struggle to come back and get back on the speedway bike again.

“It does help my overall racing but I’ve not got as many grass track meetings this year and I want to put all my focus into speedway.

“Thankfully everything is going really well at the minute,” he said.