MADS Korneliussen and Morten Risager look set to exit Swindon after team manager Ronnie Russell confirmed he would be letting two riders go.
The Danish pair scored just four points between them in the 52-44 home defeat to runaway Elite League leaders Poole last night, in keeping with their disappointing starts to the season, and Russell revealed afterwards that two team members would be leaving.
Although refusing to confirm the duo’s identity, Russell revealed he had held frank discussions with the pair following last week’s defeat to Coventry, and said: “I had a lot of time talking to them, telling them I wasn’t happy with their performance.
“They told me what they were going to do about it, and I see once again they haven’t.
“I treat these like my kids, but sadly I’m sending two of them back to their home.”
Russell, who admitted the club had been turned down by controversial ex-Robin Jurica Pavlic due to his under 21 commitments, added: “I’m having a meeting with Terry (Russell) and Gary (Patchett, co-owners) after this to say, where do we go from here?
“I know I’ve got a relative free hand to speak to people if that’s the way we’ve got to go.
“There are a few riders out there but it’s very difficult making the averages work.”
Swindon found themselves under pressure early on against Poole last night as Chris Holder beat his countryman Leigh Adams in the opener.
More of the same followed in the second contest as Jordan Frampton’s race was effectively ended by guest Craig Watson nearly stopping in front of him.
Grzegorz Zengota was then relegated from second to the back with Poole notching up their first 5-1 of the evening, before Simon Stead battled from third to first against Davey Watt and Artur Mroczka.
Leigh Adams was eligible for a tactical ride after Holder and Darcy Ward romped to a 5-1, and the Robins skipper duly notched up six points.
A gutsy effort from Stead and Justin Sedgmen saw the pair both come from behind to record a 4-2 against Bjarne Pedersen and Jason Doyle.
Heat eight was from the gate and the Robins were initially on a 5-1 next, but Korneliussen was overhauled by Watt at the start of the final lap and then fell unchallenged.
Leigh Adams had to summon all his powers to scorch from fourth to second in race 10 as he nearly edged out Bjarne Pedersen on the line.
A 5-1 was prevented by Stead after he passed Ward but that scoreline followed for the visitors next after Korneliussen let Mroczka past on the final lap.
Adams and Stead notched up Swindon’s only 5-1 of the night against Holder and Watt, before Zengota’s tactical ride reduced the advantage to 10 points.
The highly impressive Stead took his total to paid 14 after triumphing in the final heat, as Holder and Mroczka were raced into second and fourth respectively.
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