SWINDON Robins skipper Jason Doyle inspired Australia to a bronze medal at this weekend’s FIM Speedway of Nations Finals as hosts Russia retained their title.

Doyle scored a total of 30 points from a dozen rides in the heat stages before winning the Final Qualifier, although that was not enough to help the Aussies reach the gold medal showdown in Togliatti.

Meanwhile, Alun Rossiter and his Great Britain side were unable to replicate their silver medal-winning heroics of 12 months ago as they finished last of the seven teams.

In the battle for the top step of the podium, Russia claimed a second world title in succession in thrilling fashion after Emil Sayfutdinov and Artem Laguta raced to a priceless 5-1 victory over Poland in the Grand Final.

Russia had earlier finished second on the heat scorecharts behind Poland and made it through to the Final Qualifier against third-placed Australia, skipped by Swindon number one Doyle.

A 3-3 draw was enough for Russia to progress to the Grand Final against the Poles after they outscored the Aussies in the heats.

But there was no doubting the final outcome as Russia’s Speedway Grand Prix pair of Sayfutdinov and Laguta sent the Anatoly Stepanov Stadium wild to seal back-to-back titles – just 12 months after winning the nation’s first senior speedway world title of any kind in Poland.

Great Britain, meanwhile, were always going to be up against it to repeat their performance of a year ago, having to race without injured individual world champion Tai Woffinden.

Rossiter, who also manages Swindon in the SGB Premiership, saw his team of Craig Cook, Robert Lambert and Chris Harris notch just 16 points across the two days of qualifying heats.

Posting on Twitter afterwards, Rossiter said: “Sadly, not the weekend we wanted.

"Lots of effort by a lot people went in. No excuses, it wasn’t to be.

“You are never going to please everyone but thanks to the ones who supported us.”

Meanwhile, Robins skipper Doyle said: “I think we did Australia proud.

“Hats off to the Russians. It was an amazing atmosphere when they won and the crowd has been amazing.

“They were not just supporting the Russian team, they have supported every other rider and every other country.

“Fair play and thank you very much for everything – we have really enjoyed our time in Russia.

“We would like to thank all the team members, our mechanics, Mark Lemon for all the organising he has done and our sponsors back in Australia and in England.”

Rossiter and Doyle will be back on club duty on Thursday when Swindon host Belle Vue Aces.