PETER Kildemand was tonight named Swindon Robins’ Rider of the Year at a glittering ceremony at the De Vere.

The Danish charger beat off competition from Jason Doyle and Hans Andersen to triumph.

Unfortunately, Kildemand was unable to accept his prize in person as he is currently suffering from a virus and is laid up in his homeland.

However, he told the Advertiser he was surprised and honoured.

“Of course I’m very happy to win the award,” he said.

“It’s especially nice to win as the fans vote for it, I certainly didn’t expect to win.

“It’s been a good year for me, I started off at reserve and ended up as a second heat leader, so I was very happy with that.

“I would like to come back to Swindon next year, so fingers crossed it will happen.”

Kildemand, Doyle and Andersen were the runaway favourites to win Rider of the Year.

Of those three Kildemand took 53 per cent of the vote, with second-placed Doyle on 26 per cent and skipper Andersen on 21 per cent.