SPEEDWAY: Rival boss questions Robins on the road (From Swindon Advertiser)

SPEEDWAY: Rival boss questions Robins on the road

8:23am Saturday 3rd May 2008 in

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ALUN Rossiter has dismissed claims from Eastbourne co-promoter Bob Dugard that his Robins are profiting from home track advantage as "a load of rubbish".

Dugard made the remark in a local newspaper ahead of tonight's Elite League clash at Arlington Stadium, where Swindon could go seven points clear at the summit with another away victory.

Rossiter, pictured, guided Swindon to a crushing 56-37 win over the Eagles at Blunsdon on Monday, after which Dugard told The Argus: "Swindon have a big home track advantage. It will be very interesting to see how they perform at Eastbourne.

"If they come up with the goods here we have got to say they are title challengers."

But Rossiter insists the Abbey does not favour his Robins riders over the opposition, and claims the Sussex side are more likely to profit from home comforts this season.

Rosco said: "Don't tell us we have a home advantage when you have a little trick track down at Eastbourne. I think that's a big load of rubbish.

"They have riders who have been brought up around that track their whole lives, the likes of Ed Kennett, Lewis Bridger and Lee Richardson.

"His (Dugard's) team are the only ones who have been battered at Blunsdon. The others, Ipswich, Poole and Wolverhampton all ran us very close, so I don't see how we have a big home track advantage. We just gave them a good beating, fair and square."

Rosco's remarks are sure to add some extra spice to tonight's meeting, with Eastbourne looking to avenge Monday's humiliating 19-point reverse.

But despite seeing his side soaring at the top of the Elite League table, Rosco is refusing to get carried away.

He said: "I have not said we are title contenders at all.

"I'm not shouting my mouth off, but we should be confident about getting a result at Eastbourne. You have to have belief. I am not saying we will win, but there's no reason why we cannot win.

"I'm sure Bob and Martin (Hagon) have got Eastbourne fired up for this one.

"But my riders are young and hungry and they are not intimidated by anybody. Our confidence is sky high at the moment."

Theo Pijper returns for the Robins after a five-week injury lay-off, while Swindon asset Lee Richardson has been passed fit to ride for Eastbourne despite suffering a heavy fall in Poland on Thursday night.

Eagles are missing both their regular reserves, with Brent Werner replacing the injured James Brundle and Glen Phillips standing in for Simon Gustafsson, who is riding in a World Under-21 Championship qualifier.