FLYING Frenchman David Bellego expects to be better than ever for Swindon Robins as they prepare to defend their SGB Premiership title this year.

Bellego was something of revelation at the Abbey Stadium after enjoying a splendid year in his debut season at the club.

Last season, which was his first at speedway’s top table, saw the 24-year-old rewarded when the club opted to make him a full-time asset.

However, the Frenchman revealed that last year he was still feeling the affects of a shoulder operation he had before joining the Robins.

The injury, which had caused ligament damage in his left shoulder, was still causing the 24-year-old discomfort throughout last year’s title-winning campaign.

With a full winter of preparation, which included time on the bike and working with a personal trainer, Bellego says he is in great condition ahead of Monday night’s opening meeting with Bell Vue Aces.

“It’s been a good winter. I went to Nick Morris’ place in Brisbane, which was really good and then came back to England in the December and started training in the gym straight away,” he said.

“I trained for three hours a day for five days a week so I am feeling pretty fit. I have all the tools to be good again this season, so I can’t see why that won’t happen.

“I started going to the gym three year’s ago and last year I had a shoulder injury, I had an operation on it and it took a lot of time to go the physiotherapist and have rehabilitation.

“When you have a shoulder injury it is usually pretty bad. I couldn’t walk out how I wanted to last year, I had to do a lot of physio.

“The injury was caused by me crashing on the same shoulder. It caused ligament damage and joint damage, so I have two screws in it but this year I am fully fit and I have worked hard.”

After being a surprise package last year, Bellego says he doesn’t feel any more pressure to go out and replicate his success of last year.

The 24-year-old says with a year of experience in the bank, he believes he will perform just as well, if not better than last term.

“I don’t feel the pressure. I got a good experience last year and I know what I can do,” he added.

“The hardest part last year was that I hadn’t been to all of the tracks, but last year I did, so I know what I am going to get.”