SPEEDWAY: Rosco's fury at Troy KO (From Swindon Advertiser)

SPEEDWAY: Rosco's fury at Troy KO

8:20am Thursday 19th June 2008 in Sport By Gareth Moorhouse

ALUN Rossiter has launched a scathing attack on Polish speedway culture after Robins' Aussie ace Troy Batchelor suffered a fractured wrist during a practice session in Leszno.

Batchelor was riding at the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium, home of his Polish club Leszno Bulls, when he was struck by another rider, sending him crashing to the shale.

The Swindon number five has been ruled out of Saturday's Grand Prix Qualifying round in Lonigo, Italy, and is expected to miss at least three Elite League fixtures.

A seething Rossiter described the incident "totally avoidable" and has called on the Polish clubs to review their policy of forcing riders to practice between meetings.

"This has really, really annoyed me," Rosco told the Advertiser.

"The Polish clubs have got this thing about making all their riders go over there to practice.

"There's so much money and sponsorship over there that it's difficult to say no. As a former rider myself I understand that.

"But this was totally avoidable. Apparently some wannabe star has wiped Troy out and now he's facing a month on the sidelines with a fractured wrist.

"Some of the clubs just have no respect for British speedway any more. I will be speaking to Leszno about this to tell them how I feel."

After storming to victory in the semi-final of the World Under 21 Championship at Rye House last weekend, Batchelor was hoping to book his place in next year's Grand Prix series with a strong showing in Italy.

He was forced to sit out last night's Knockout Cup first leg and could only watch as the Robins suffered a 53-40 defeat against Poole Pirates at Wimborne Road.

Rossiter revealed his rider is naturally disappointed, saying: "I spoke to Troy when he had just come out of the hospital and he was gutted about missing Grand Prix Qualifying," said Rosco.

"It's awful news for Swindon too because Troy has been excellent for us this year. He is really starting to mature as a rider.

"We may have to look at a bringing somebody in for a month because I don't know if we can cope with just using rider replacement.

"I will speak to Terry Russell and Gary Patchett and maybe we can get somebody in before the meeting with Peterborough on Monday.

"Hopefully Troy will be back within a month. In the meantime I will have to gee the other boys up to show people that we can cope without him."