PREVIEW: Batchelor determined to build on opening night success in Poole

Maximum man Troy Batchelor said the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs are determined to build on Wednesday night’s win against Scunthorpe when facing Poole Pirates on Good Friday (7.30pm).

The Monarch Cheetahs continue their British Speedway Championship campaign in Dorset against the world-famous Pirates, 48 hours after registering a 49-40 win over Scunthorpe to mark the beginning of a new era for the club and Oxford Stadium.

Batchelor raced to a full 15-point maximum in front of a sell-out crowd to start his Cheetahs career in perfect fashion. And the Australian international hopes to continue his and the team’s form when lining up at tapes at Wimborne Road.

He said: “Every meeting is the same. We can’t worry about who we’re racing and where – we’ve just got to go out there and do the job we know we can.

“If we do what we’re capable of, then we can win the meeting – no doubt about it.

“Wednesday was a fantastic night. To have a full stadium, secure the win and personally earn maximum points – I can’t ask for much more than that.

“I go out to win every race, hopefully we can build on this performance in the coming meetings.”

The Monarch Cheetahs were made to work hard for victory on opening night against a brave Scorpions side.

Dave Peet’s men led 32-33 after 11 heats, but 5-1s for the Cheetahs in heats 13 and 15 – courtesy of club captain Scott Nicholls and Batchelor – earned the hosts a nine-point win.

Batchelor said: “We had a few crashes early on – if it wasn’t a first meeting in front of a packed stadium then maybe that wouldn’t have happened.  

“Coping with pressure is all part of the game, and we overcome that pressure at the end. The team we’ve built this season has a great chance of being successful.

“I was speaking to a lot of fans in the pits before tapes up who were reminiscing of the club’s former era. It’s great to have them back trackside, and those who have never been to speedway before – which is what we need to encourage.

“We want the terraces to be like this every week.”

Following the Monarch Cheetahs’ trip to Poole on Good Friday, the team returns to action at home on Wednesday, April 20, again against Poole Pirates.

Tapes-up is at 7.30pm, tickets for the meeting are SOLD OUT with none available on the day. Tickets for Redcar Bears’ visit on Wednesday, April 27, will go on sale via our ticketing page from 8pm on Thursday, April 14.