JOSH Grajczonek is hoping that the Swindon Robins have got rid of their ‘Premier League’ tag after Wednesday night’s win away to Belle Vue Aces lifted them to the top of the Elite League.

The Robins had a shaky start to the campaign as they lost three of their opening four meetings, which led to many fans reaching for the panic button early on.

However, team manager Alun Rossiter maintained that he had a side able to compete in the Elite League and not a team made up of Premier League riders as some claimed.

That patience has borne fruit in recent weeks as the team have strung together a run of four wins, culminating in the 50-40 success at the National Stadium on Wednesday, to put them a point clear at the top of the table and Grajczonek is happy to prove the doubters wrong.

“It was pretty awesome,” he told the Adver. “We were always going to cop criticism because apparently we are a Premier League team but we have shown in the last four meetings what we are capable of.

“We’re all riding a lot more now and it is good because we are all gelling as a team and few can complain about four wins on the bounce.

“It’s always going to be tough coming here as an away team and try and score some points because I know this is the first meeting but those boys will get dialled in pretty quickly at home.

“We all came into this meeting shooting in the dark and not knowing what to do, so we are glad we came here now rather than later on.

“I had a good first two rides, well a good first three rides, and then in heat 14, I got taken wide in the first corner and I couldn’t make up too much ground after that.

“It was a good all round team performance and we can’t complain.

“We missed Doyley and I am sure he would have maxed out because Doyley is on it at the minute.”

Wednesday’s meeting was the first league match to be held at the National Stadium and despite some teething problems, Grajczonek believes it has set the standard for other stadia in the country to follow.

“I think the track and the stadium and the facilities are immaculate here and a bit more dirt on it will be good,” he added.

“It’s a racing track. We have seen a lot of passing and I think once they gradually put a bit more dirt on it, it can only get better.

“It’s good for the fans because they can see the whole track from wherever they are standing and the pit facilities are awesome.”

THE ROBINS’ Elite League clash with reigning champions Poole at the Abbey has been moved to Bank Holiday Monday, May 30 (4pm) due to the absence of key riders on the original date of May 26.

Robins boss Rossiter said: “Speedway is an entertainment business and we want to see a bumper crowd for this fixture at the Abbey.

“It’s a perfect way to spend a Bank Holiday Monday and we look forward to welcoming both our own fans and those from Poole that fancy making the trip.”

The Robins are next in action next week - heading to King’s Lynn on Wednesday and hosting the Stars 24 hours later.