SWINDON Robins were knocked off track as they failed to claw back an eight-point deficit in their Elite League Play-off semi final with the Coventry Bees.

Despite trailing after the first leg the Robins’ riders were full of confidence heading back to the Abbey Stadium, a track they have not lost at since Wolverhampton in June.

However, staff at the Abbey woke up to heavy rain on Monday morning and despite their best efforts to cover the track to get the meet, that was live on Sky, the go ahead there were still parts of the track on the night that were wet, including the start line.

That played a big role in the result at the end of the night, according to number one rider Peter Kildemand, who was left bitterly disappointed to not be fighting it out for the title.

“It was like so disappointing and I really thought we could do it tonight and that has not happened,” he said.

“The track wasn’t the way we really wanted and the way it has been all year and it is just a shame but there is nothing we can do about it now, but I really thought we could be in the final.

“I think they could get off the start and that is what you needed tonight; I don’t think there was much passing.

“The track was really turned around 180 degrees from what it normally is like and we have been so good at home and tonight we have just lost so big.

“The track wasn’t like normal, and I know that is the same for everyone but if you know the track and you have ridden it every week and you have your bike set up, when the track changes a little bit it is a shame.

“They covered the track and they should have covered the starts as well, because they did a big job to cover the track.

“None of us could really figure out what to do on the start.

“We couldn’t really get out of the start and that is what cost us.”