SWINDON Robins heat leader Adam Ellis believes increasing the number of Team GB test matches against foreign opposition will go far in helping the development of younger British riders.

Ellis, 22, will join current World Championship leader Tai Woffinden, former British Grand Prix winner Chris Harris, current Grand Prix contender Craig Cook plus rising stars Steve Worrall and Dan Bewley in the Team GB pits at Glasgow’s Ashfield Stadium tonight against Australia.

The meeting, which was only confirmed following the British Grand Prix at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium two weeks ago, will put GB up against Mark Lemon’s full-strength Australian team – which includes former world champion Chris Holder plus Max Fricke, Brady Kurtz, Sam Masters, Rohan Tungate and Jack Holder.

Following Team GB’s silver medal at the Speedway of Nations in Wroclaw in June, Ellis believes arranging more test matches – both home and away – will go far in preparing some of Britain’s rising stars for future stardom.

He said: “Test matches are needed. In Poland they are always doing test matches against the Danes, Swedes and Aussies.

“It’s something we need to get involved in, even if that means getting the riders that missed out on the Speedway of Nations involved with GB. Everyone wants to ride for GB, so to have meetings like this is of benefit to everyone.

“You can learn a lot from the top guys. We want to get the win. Last time I did test matches it was Premier League standard so it’s good for me to have a top-level meeting.”

The Marmande-born racer expects to learn a few things himself and will make the most of being in the same pit corner as two-times world champion Woffinden.

Following his five-point performance for the Robins at Somerset on Wednesday, Ellis is looking forward to donning the GB kevlars once again come 3pm.

“It’s always an honour to ride for your country and it’s great that we have this meeting on Saturday,” said Ellis.

“Australia are putting a strong team out and so are we, I’m looking forward to it.

“I hadn’t been to Glasgow for ages prior to a meeting there a couple of weeks ago. I enjoyed it, I’m sure the track will be in good condition.

“With some good riders there it should be a good show.”