JASON Doyle says the importance of him safely navigating the Grand Prix season should not be underestimated as the Swindon Robins skipper prepares to kick-start his second tilt at World Championship glory tonight.

Australian ace Doyle excelled in his debut SGP season in 2015, finishing fifth overall to guarantee himself automatic qualification again this year but suffered a broken neck and punctured lung in the final round in Melbourne in October.

With a total of 11 events on the calendar and the perils of speedway all too apparent, Doyle’s first priority is coming through each round unscathed ahead of the season opener in Krsko, Slovenia, this evening.

“I love riding in GPs but the pressure, the way people ride and many other things, it’s a totally different way of riding speedway but it’s also enjoyable,” said Doyle.

“The first Grand Prix is going to be great but there are many more meetings, so I need to do well.

“I always want to do as best I can but I know to stay safe because it is a long season. Sometimes, if you don’t win or get good points in the first Grand Prix, it’s OK as there are another 10 to go.”

Doyle has made a flying start to his second stint as a Robin, scoring at least 13 points in each of Swindon’s five Elite League fixtures so far this season.

As he prepares to go toe-to-toe with the sport’s top talent again, the 30-year-old reckons his level can still soar even higher.

However, he is not setting any lofty ambitions and Doyle’s initial focus is simply on qualifying for the SGP series again next season.

“I’m maybe not in top form but I am scoring points at the moment,” added Doyle, who returned to the Robins from Leicester Lions for the 2016 campaign.

“I have said before that the target is the top eight. It’s going to be very hard to be in the top three but I am going to go into it trying to do as well as I can.

“Last year was very surprising but also enjoyable. I learned a lot but I also just enjoyed racing speedway, and I think that’s the main factor.”