SWINDON Robins new-boy Justin Sedgmen overcame a bruising fall to claim third-place in the B Final of the opening round of the Australian Championship today.

The 23-year-old, part of Alun Rossiter’s Robins team for the upcoming season, came off his bike in his fourth heat of the evening in Kurri Kurri but battled back to seal a 10-point haul.

Fellow Swindon riders Nick Morris and Josh Gracjzonek were also in action as Sedgmen secured seven points from his opening three races, which included victory in heat six, but in heat 16, the Robins man clipped the fence on the back straight and was sent hurtling from his bike.

However, Sedgmen recovered to best Mason Campton and 2016 team-mate Grajczonek in heat 19 before finishing third in the B final, with Brady Kurtz crossing the line first.

“There is no doubt that (heat 16) cost me a place in the A Final. If I had got the better of Max (Fricke) in that one, I think I would have been straight in the final. Instead, I had to fight for a win just to get into the B Final,” said Sedgmen.

“To look at the positives, I won a race that I knew I couldn’t afford to lose. I think that showed my character but I just wish it could have ended a little differently.

“My hip and arm is still pretty sore but I’ll be ok for Wednesday in Undera. I now know I have to be at my very best over the next three rounds to make sure I still have a chance of making at least a podium finish this year.

“I have to take one round at a time though; no point looking past Undera and I’ll be determined to put in a good performance to catch up the guys who’ve had good nights.”

Somerset Rebels man Rohan Tungate won the A final and tops the standings with 14 points ahead of the remaining three rounds whilst Swindon’s Grajczonek and Morris ended with seven and nine points respectively.

The Australian Championship continues in Undera on Wednesday before meetings in Gillman and Mildura on Friday and Saturday respectively.