ADAM Roynon is confident a year without injury can rocket him into the 2017 speedway campaign firing on al cylinders.

Roynon has penned a new contract with SGB Championship side Workington Comets after a successful return to Derwent Park.

The 28-year-old enters his testimonial season in 2017 – having been on the books at Coventry Bees for more than a decade.

Yet 2016 was a rare occasion he has gone through an entire campaign without a major accident – having previously broken his neck, had a blood clot on the brain, fractured his ankle and suffered a whole host of other misfortunes.

The Dalton ace hopes to build on that year of racing without calamity and take the form he gradually built up through the Premier League campaign into the newly-renamed Championship, believing he can show his 5.12 average to be on the conservative side for the West Cumbrian outfit.

“It was a surreal moment,” Roynon said of the end of this year's campaign. “I was going round on the victory truck for the last meeting of the season, and it just dawned on me that I have made it the whole way through without any problems. I was quite taken aback by it.

“I was definitely glad I managed to steer clear of problems. I had a few crashes, but I have managed to keep myself fit.

“I think fitness is a big part. How your body recovers is in your head a little bit when you are racing, and this season has all gone right for me.

“I haven't been riding any differently, I've just had that luck that has maybe not been there in the past. With that happening, it's enabled me to have a good season that stands me in good stead for next year.”

He added: “While I wasn't pulling up trees this year, I was gaining more experience for the long-run.

“Next year will be the first season I will be going back into the start of a year not recovering from an injury. I'm able to go into next season how I finished last season – possibly beyond because of the practice I will be able to acquire. I've got high hopes for next season.

“This season was all about getting my feet back on the ground. Next season is about taking that, running and getting on with it.”

Roynon now lives in the Midlands – close to the Coventry club where he has raced for 10 seasons – but despite the long distances involved in travelling between home and Workington, he had no doubts about signing a new deal.

“It was a no-brainer to stay,” said the former Dowdales School pupil. “It's such a great club, great management, brilliant fans. I know everyone says that about every club, but there is a proper set-up up there and one that – even though I live in the Midlands now – I'll happily travel three-and-a-half, four hours to race at. It's worth the drive.”

While hoping for a successful Championship season with the Comets, Roynon is also looking forward to his testimonial next season, which will feature a match at Workington.

At 28, he still feels he has a long career in front of him – current world champion Greg Hancock is 46 – and he said: “It's my testimonial this season. I've been contracted at Coventry for 10 years – 11 really, but I didn't get a fixture this year – and I will be having a testimonial up at Workington, which will be nice for me to have it with all my own fans.

“I don't see why I can't keep going for at least another 10 years. The body has taken a bit of a hammering, but as long as I'm keeping myself fit and active, and I've still got the enthusiasm for it, I don't see why I can't do that.”