ROBINS skipper Troy Batchelor is excited about riding for Australia in the Speedway World Cup, but insists going up against club boss Alun Rossiter does not factor into his motivation.

Tonight Rossiter squares off against his club captain at the World Cup for the second time. Last year the Robins boss guided Great Britain past Batchelor and the Australians in the semi-finals to secure automatic qualification for the final.

Ultimately the Aussies got a measure of retribution. After winning the race-off, Batchelor and co finished third, one place ahead of Rossiter’s side, in the Bydgoszcz finale.

Batchelor enjoys riding for his country. It gives him the chance to race alongside friends and contemporaries he has come through speedway with.

This year the 27-year-old will be joined by Robins teammate Nick Morris for the first time. Despite the club connections Batchelor is not fazed by facing a Rossiter team.

“I’m too old to care about who I’m riding against,” said Batchelor.

“I just like to race and I like to win. I’m happy with my team manager and with my team. My job for the week is for Team Australia and to get a gold medal.

“If Britain are there and we beat them or they beat us that’s just how it goes, you’ve just got beat everyone.”

King’s Lynn is a track where Batchelor tends to do well.

Last year he racked up 14 points in the World Cup event, averaged 10 points for the Robins and also won the Elite League Riders’ Championship, riding at the Adrian Flux Arena.

Batchelor rates the track as good for racing and is looking forward to the pressure of riding for his country on it.

“It’s a good track and I enjoy riding it,” he added. “King’s Lynn is a cool track, it’s a fair race track, it’s always well prepared and a good place to go and race.

“It’s going to be tough, everyone is going to be good, so it’s head down and get the job done.

“There’s no team riding on the track, that’s a bit different. Every race it’s all on you – big pressure I guess. It’s a big event, it’s always for TV and for prestige as well.

“I enjoy the pressure, it’s just speedway at the end of the day and I like to ride my bike.”

Batchelor is an experienced hand on the World Cup scene and thinks it will be good learning experience for his young compatriot, and fellow Robin, Morris.

“I remember my first time in the World Cup a few years ago and it was a good experience,” he said.

“It’s quite nerve-racking the first time and I’m sure it feels like a really big deal.

“Nick will be loving it, he’ll get to spend some time with the team and he’ll definitely learn from it.

“He’s come a long, long way this year. Over the years he’s been stepping it up and going better, so it’s his time to shine.”