TROY Batchelor has conceded he will be hard pushed to retain his title at the Elite League Riders Championship on Saturday night.

The Swindon Robins skipper triumphed at last year’s event at King’s Lynn towards the end of the 2014 campaign but faces a tough start to the defence of his crown.

He faces 2012 world champion Chris Holder, former Grand Prix ace Freddie Lindgren and top British star Chris Harris in his first heat at the meeting at Leicester after being drawn at number 11.

Batchelor’s preparations for the 2015 season have been hampered by the visa issues which have affected all Elite League clubs.

The Australian was one of more than 20 riders to have their visas revoked after the Home Office discovered that the sport’s employment of non-EU athletes did not comply with their rules.

Although that situation has now been resolved and those affected have been cleared to ride, Batchelor thinks the odds are against him to challenge for honours again this weekend.

“We will just see what happens. I’m just going there with the aim of getting a few rides under my belt,” said 27-year-old Batchelor, who will be joined at the meeting by Robins team-mate and fellow Australian Nick Morris.

“I’m open minded about it. It’s going to be difficult but we will just get up there and see how it goes.

“Normally it isn’t as early as this in the season, we haven’t even had press day yet. I’m not sure why it’s so early and it’s not ideal timing for the riders.

“Hopefully it all goes well and it sets me up for the season and puts me in a good place, but if it doesn’t then I know I’ll come away with lots of stuff to work on.”

The visa situation was only resolved earlier this month, meaning Batchelor has been unable to get in as much overseas practice as he would like.

He is currently getting in some much-need track time in Poland and will only return to the UK on the morning of Saturday’s competition.

Once the meeting is out of the way, Batchelor hopes to get plenty of mileage under his belt with the new Elite League season just a fortnight away.

Batchelor added: “With the visa situation my mind has been taken off riding by other things.

“It’s been really difficult but it’s all resolved now and I am looking forward to just concentrating on riding again.

“It hasn’t been fun and it’s been difficult getting practice in but in the next two weeks I think I’ve got nine days on the bike.

“Hopefully I can get a lot of good work done to be in the best shape I can for the season.”