HANS Andersen has backed his friend and former Swindon teammate Troy Batchelor to cope with the step up in class as he begins his Grand Prix career.

Dane Andersen is a veteran of 87 GPs, 22 finals and four victories, meaning the former Robins captain knows a thing or two about the rigours of racing against the best riders in the world.

Batchelor begins his world championship journey in the early hours of tomorrow morning in New Zealand and Andersen believes there’s no reason why he can’t more than hold his own with the sport’s big guns.

“Troy’s been knocking on the door for many years and I’m a bit surprised he hasn’t had more wild card chances,” Andersen said.

“He’s shown in the World Cup he is capable of competing with the best riders in the world but going into the GP is a very big jump. It can be really good for you or it can go a bit wrong and get your down and cause problems with your league racing.

“Troy is a strong guy and I think he will be okay. It’s certainly a big year for him.

“I don’t know how he will do, it’s hard to say, so I think you will have to wait a few rounds to see how things are shaping up.”

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