BRITISH Speedway bosses admit Swindon’s withdrawal from this year’s Premiership is a big blow.

The Robins have made the decision to miss the 2021 campaign after plans for the construction of the long-awaited new stadium on the Abbey site took a step forward and work is due to last throughout the summer.

Now the SGB Premiership will press ahead with planning for the new season with just six teams and efforts are being made to accommodate the Robins riders elsewhere.

British Speedway chairman Rob Godfrey said: “We cannot dress it up, this is a blow to planning for the 2021 season.

“We sincerely hope everything goes well this year at the Abbey and that we can welcome the club back into the Premiership in a new stadium in 2022.

“Contrary to Swindon’s concerns over sport going ahead this year, however, as a sport we are pressing ahead and going racing this spring and summer. The vaccination programme is very encouraging and we are in no doubt we will be in for a good summer.

“Now there is a priority to try and fix the Swindon riders up elsewhere and the Premiership will be a competitive product once again, I'm confident of that.”