Stead wants to come up trumps for Swindon Robins (From This Is Wiltshire)

Stead wants to come up trumps for Swindon Robins

7:30am Monday 6th July 2009

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SIMON Stead is desperate to ensure the “right” version of himself turns up at Belle Vue tonight, as Robins target their ninth consecutive victory.

Swindon travel to Kirkmanshulme Lane in the Sky Sports Elite League – a track Stead knows well having spent three seasons with the Aces between 2005 and 2008.

Another away win for Alun Rossiter’s in-form side could see them further tighten their grip at the top of the table, and Stead is determined to continue his recent impressive displays.

“Belle Vue have been a little bit inconsistent this year, but then so have I,” said the 27-year-old “I’ll just try and make it the right Simon Stead who turns up and get in the right frame of mind.

“I rode there for a few seasons so know my way around the track pretty well.

“But it’s so difficult going back somewhere you haven’t ridden for a while. We haven’t gone there this year - it’s our first time - and I’ve got no doubt it will be difficult.

“But we’ve just got to dig deep and put in another good performance and we should be ok.”

Stead’s paid 14 haul at Blunsdon last Thursday helped Swindon to a 55-37 victory over the Ipswich Witches.

The Yorkshire-born rider was in sparkling form, picking up the rider of the night award, but a fall in heat 15 when out in front left him rueing what could have been an even bigger personal tally.

“I didn’t really feel like I put myself in any wrong positions,” said Stead of Thursday’s performance.

“I felt like I was making good starts and that I could have done something from behind if I needed to. All in all it was a good night, but just a shame it had to end like that.

“It was all going so well and it just leaves a bit of a sour taste that I ended up on my backside.

“But I’ve got to pick myself up from that, look at the positives and take it to Belle Vue.”

In-form Richard Sweetman will partner Ryan Fisher at reserve for the Robins tonight.

The young Australian deputises for Paul Hurry, who is still recovering after aggravating a back problem on Monday against Eastbourne.

Hurry is continuing to have treatment and Swindon’s management are hopeful he will return to action on Thursday against Lakeside.

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