SKIPPER Troy Batchelor was thrilled with Australia’s effort after they won Speedway World Cup bronze in Prague on Saturday.

The Swindon Robins charger starred for the quartet from Down Under as they pushed winners Poland and Denmark all the way at the Marketa Stadium.

The Aussies were without world champion Chris Holder for the showpiece event and Batchelor said it was a huge effort from the Southern Hemisphere outfit in the circumstances.

“I’m really pleased with how it went, we didn’t finish top but we definitely achieved something,” he said.

“We were only a couple of points down going into heat 18 and just lost it towards the end.

“It was definitely cool and I said to the boys afterwards that they should be proud of everything they have done. They gave 100 per cent and to finish third without Chris Holder is an achievement.

“For Cam (Woodward) and Doyley (Swindon asset Jason Doyle) it’s their first time in the World Cup and next time they will know what it’s about.

“It was pretty cool to be captain and hopefully I did a good job, I won a tactical ride and all of us had a fun week.”

Batchelor turns his attention back to the Robins tonight as Alun Rossiter’s men make the trip to Wolverhampton for a top-of-the-table Elite League clash.

Wolves have drafted in guest and track specialist Peter Karlsson in the absence of the injured Freddie Lindgren and Batchelor believes Swindon can continue their strong form of last week.

“Swindon’s been going quite well recently and we’ve been moving up the table,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough because Wolves are always good at home but Freddie (Lindgren) isn’t available.

“It doesn’t matter that their guest is Peter Karlsson, if all the Swindon team turn up on the night then we will win.”