Rohan Tungate says he is in the best shape of his life as the Ipswich Witches star begins preparations for the British season.

Denied a rostrum placed finish in the Australian Championships that finished recently after a nightmare third round (there are four in total), it hasn’t dampened the 24-year-old’s enthusiasm for 2015.

Indeed, he feels he has never been in better shape – and hopes the Witches will benefit.

“I wasn’t pleased with where I finished in the Aussies because I should have finished on the rostrum,” Tungate said from his Kurri Kurri-based home in New South Wales.

“My third round was a disaster and with all four rounds counting, I lost too many points in that third meeting and finished sixth.

“But I won more races than I had second and thirds, so I’m happy with my form. I beat Doyley (Jason Doyle), who went on to win it, a few times and had some fast track times too.”

Tungate, indeed has impressed Down Under this winter and with just one more meeting to race, he is getting ready to come back to Britain in five weeks.

“I’m coming over at the end of February and I’m feeling good,” he said.

“I usually start training about now, but I’ve been training all winter and I feel as fit as I ever have.”

Tungate has already signed for Slangerup in Denmark and is set to join a Polish club too.

It will make for a busier schedule, but he is confident he can cope.

As regards the Witches, Tungate says there is more to come from him and feels the Witches reserves Nico Covatti and Stefan Nielsen can both have big parts to play for the Witches in 2015.

“Nico and Stefan can both improve their averages,” Tungate added.

“I certainly think Nico can be very useful for us.”

And as regards his own form?

“I’ve kept improving year on year and I think I can do so again this year,” he said.

“Just like I pushed Richie Worrall for the No.1 position last season, I’ll have to start again and try and get the No.1 place off Danny King.”

The first meeting of the season at Foxhall is on Thursday, March 19.