JAMES Shanes hopes to repay the faith shown in him by Swindon Robins team manager Alun Rossiter after agreeing to join the club in 2019.

On Tuesday, 21-year-old Brit Shanes was announced as the sixth name on the Robins’ roster for next season, with the club needing just one more to complete their line-up.

Shanes is returning to SGB Premiership level after being dropped by Poole Pirates early in the 2018 season and says he is grateful to Rossiter for giving him the chance to step back up to the top flight.

And the prospect of becoming team-mates with former world champion Jason Doyle also helped sweeten the deal when it came to switching to the Abbey Stadium.

“Having someone like Rosco get behind you and put his faith in you gives you a lot of confidence,” said Shanes.

“I was a bit unsure as to whether I was going to get a spot at a Premiership club for next year.

“After I got the call from Rosco and he said he was keen, we had the deal sorted in a matter of days.

“He is such a passionate man when it comes to his team and he gives his riders a real lift. I will look to use that passion and put it into my riding.

“It is a massive thing to be in the same team as Jason – I was a bit star-struck when I lined up against him in the past while I was at Poole.

“The team that Rosco has put together is very promising and to be a part of it is quite amazing.”

As well as a new-look side, Swindon will boast a re-jigged track at the Abbey next season, while a new stadium at Blunsdon continues to be in the pipeline.

Shanes says he is excited to be part of a new era at the Robins.

“I think I only rode at the old track at the Abbey Stadium twice, so I haven’t got too much knowledge of that track anyway,” said Shanes.

“I am looking forward to being part of the new era at Swindon. I can’t wait to start.”