MADS Korneliussen had more reason to smile than most last night as Robins finally emerged from Coventry's shadow to land a crushing blow in the opening leg of the Elite Shield.
Swindon lost three finals to the all-conquering Bees last year, and Korneliussen was forced to watch all three from the sidelines after a foot injury brought a premature halt to his season.
But after contributing paid 11 to his team's stunning 22-point triumph at Blunsdon, the Dane admitted even he was surprised with the margin of Robins' victory.
"It was really satisfying. We were all excited before the meeting because we knew it was going to be a tough one," he said.
"For it to turn out how it did was just perfect.
"Now Oxford have gone and Reading are no longer in the league, we have the biggest rivalry with Coventry.
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"It would be nice to get the trophy. It would give us confidence and belief before the league starts.
"I think we have shut a lot of critics up with the last two performances. It has been really nice to just go out and ride a bike with no pressure and enjoy it."
Korneliussen shaded the man-of-the-match award, but in truth that accolade could have gone to several members of a Swindon side revelling in their new underdog status.
Captain marvel Leigh Adams contributed a second consecutive paid maximum, his unselfish team riding affording maiden heat wins for new boys James Wright and Travis McGowan.
Aussie ace McGowan went on to collect two more chequered flags, although he owed one victory to Simon Stead's engine failure on the final bend in heat nine.
After the opener was split 3-3, Swindon forged ahead as reserves Theo Pijper and Seb Alden powered to an unexpected tapes-to-flag maximum in heat two.
Billy Janniro grabbed the Bees' first win in three, Korneliussen holding off a late charge from former Swindon star Olly Allen to grab second.
The Korneliussen/Batchelor combination worked a treat in five, the Robins pair easing to a 5-1 leaving Rory Schlein and Allen chasing shadows.
The Bees management appeared to miss a trick in seven, as Janniro and Harris carded a maximum, which would have become 8-1 had they played the joker.
Coventry tried to bridge the gap with a tactical substitution in heat eight, Chris Harris starting from 15 metres back.
But nothing could stop the Robins, as Alden and Wright led from start to finish for yet another maximum, Harris only managing third.
Stead looked certain to secure three points in heat nine before he lost power on the final bend, and Robins led 35-19.
Pijper produced a moment of magic in heat 11, gating fourth but roaring into second after an incredible opening bend.
He then clung to McGowan's coat-tails to secure another excellent 5-1.
Bees' tactical rider Janniro was forced to retreat 15 metres in heat 14 after he touched the tapes on the start line, eventually sneaking second for a rare Bees triumph.
The final heat was shared after a re-run, leaving Coventry in dire need of a resurrection on Easter Monday.
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