SWINDON Robins chief Alun Rossiter has added two more names to his 2017 line-up, in the form of Emil Grondal and Zach Wajtknecht.

Former Peterborough Panthers man Grondal, 21, becomes the fifth rider to join the main body of Rossiter’s 2017 team, with the Dane slotting in alongside skipper Jason Doyle, Nick Morris, Adam Ellis and David Bellego, while 18-year-old Wajtknecht will operate at reserve next term.

Grondal arrives with an average of 4.39, while former Birmingham Brummies number one Wajtknecht, a three-time World youth champion who lives in Saltford, in Somerset, clocks in at 2.63.

Rossiter, who has just one more man to confirm before he completes his winter team-building process, is confident that both of his new recruits, who will be earning their first taste of British speedway’s top tier next term, have what it take to successfully step up to the plate.

“Emil is going to be based in Swindon and I believe he’s got a few local sponsors already,” said the Robins team manager.

“I know that the promoter at Peterborough (Ged Rathbone) really rates him but felt that it’s time for a fresh start for him.

“He’s someone that I’ve kept tabs on and I know that he’s got really good equipment, which is important.

“It’s something that I wanted with the lads I had in the team this year – some riders have the ability but they get let down.

“He’s switched to having Peter Johns as his tuner and he’s done really well since then. He does Chris Holder’s engine and he’s done them for Darcy (Ward), Tai Woffinden and Greg Hancock, so he’s in a good camp there.”

Rossiter added: “I’ve had my eye on Zach. He’s someone that I’ve looked at before but he went elsewhere at the time.

“He’s relatively young but he’s got some experience and there’s no pressure on him, so he’ll hopefully come in and have no fear.

“When you look at the other like-for-like riders, he’s someone that has a potential for improvement and hopefully he’ll gain from working with Jason (Doyle) and the other lads.”