ALUN Rossiter sees no reason why Swindon Robins cannot open their SGB Premiership campaign with a win at Monmore Green this evening against Wolverhampton Wolves.

After an off-season lasting almost seven months, the Robins will finally start their 2019 campaign tonight off the back of a winter that saw former world champion Jason Doyle return to the club, while more recently, a new racing surface was installed at the Abbey Stadium – marking the start of a new era.

Doyle’s return, coupled with the additions of Dawid Lampart and James Shanes, makes the Robins a force to be reckoned with this year – according to Rossiter.

And he expects to surprise a few teams on the road throughout their Premiership and Supporters’ Cup campaigns, following what was a below-par year with regards to away form in 2018.

He said: “I think we might surprise a few this year, and I’m confident we’ll give them a run for their money.

“I can’t see any reason why we can’t come away with a win.

“We haven’t raced as a team yet, so it will be tough.

“But we should be going there with plenty of confidence.

“I would be concerned if none of the team had raced before Monday, but they’ve all been riding.

“Jason (Doyle) has been riding in Poland a lot – Adam (Ellis), Zach (Wajtknecht) and James (Shanes) have been riding too.”

Wolverhampton, meanwhile, boast seven-times British champion Scott Nicholls in their ranks, plus Australian trio Sam Masters, Rory Schlein and former Robin Nick Morris.

Morris will be missing from the Wolves’ team sheet due to injury.

But the former Swindon skipper’s absence will not make tonight’s fixture any easier for Rossiter’s troops.

He added: “Riders will still be a bit rusty, and I was hoping we’d be going into a Supporters’ Cup meeting first rather than the Premiership – I don’t know why it’s that way around.

“It will be a good test, Wolverhampton have a solid team.

“Scott (Nicholls) is a seasonal campaigner and knows what he is doing. He’s a good replacement for Jacob (Thorsell), who has obviously been good value for money up there.

“I don’t think Wolverhampton are any weaker or any stronger than us.

“We’ve now got an out-and-out number one. We’re hopeful that Jason can get in the points and everyone else can back him up.”