PETER Kildemand knows it’s foolish to read too much into pre-season form but is still taking great confidence from his performances leading up to the new campaign.

After a winter spent building bikes, buying a house and working in the gym at home in Denmark, Kildemand has returned to Britain with a bang with a string of impressive displays in individual meetings.

The Dane top scored in the four-man Swindon team at Mads Korneliussen’s testimonial, finished third at Wolverhampton’s Olympique meeting on Monday, and topped the lot with five heat wins at the Selco Classic at Birmingham on Wednesday night before crashing out in the final.

His displays have given all associated with the Robins confidence their number one will be bang on form when the season begins on Thursday night, but the man himself knows he needs to continue to work hard to ensure his form translates into competitive racing.

“It’s all been good and the pre-season meetings have all been going very well for me so far so that’s encouraging,” he said. “The winter was very good for me too and I’ve built all new bikes and been working hard in the gym so it’s nice to see it all pay off for me a bit so far.

“For me it’s always important to start well, especially when you are doing for leagues like me, so I need to be organised and get off to a good start.

“It’s only a start though and hopefully I can keep it going when the season gets started.”

Kildemand, like many in British speedway at the moment, found it hard to predict which teams would be competing for the league title but believes Robins reserves Darryl Ritchings and Steve Worrall will stand up well in their first Elite League season.

“It’s really hard to say because all the teams seem to be so even with really good one to fives,” he said.

“For me Poole have some really good reserves so you never really know.

“I’ve met Darryl before when he’s done some laps here and ridden in individual meetings and he seems like a nice kid, and Stevie is a good rider too.”