By Peter Swan BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

Panthers last claimed the Elite League title in 2006

Peterborough Panthers team manager Trevor Swales believes the sky is the limit for his side this season.

Panthers come into 2009 under new ownership and full of renewed optimism having endured a difficult time during the last campaign.

Swales told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "We want to be one of the best clubs in the world, not just in England.

"Let's hope we can reward the fans for staying with us through difficult times last season."

Panthers changed ownership midway through last season with Rick Frost replacing Colin Horton at the helm.

Frost's arrival coincided with an upturn in fortunes which eventually saved the club from the threat of relegation.

Over the winter the club have worked hard to improve their Showground home with a new track surface, whilst Swales has added six new riders to their roster.

Panthers assets Niels Kristan Iversen and Ales Dryml return from Wolverhampton with Mads Korneliussen arriving from Swindon.

Lee Complin and Andrew Tully come in at reserve with Simon Lambert at number eight.

Swales is confident he has a side capable of challenging for the Elite League title.

"It's a new start, it's a new era, there are new liveries on the bikes, everything about the club is different," he said.

Iversen is the only member of the 2006 title-winning side to be included in the Panthers line-up for 2009.

The 26-year-old Dane spent last season at Wolverhampton where he was named rider of the year, but returns as Peterborough captain.

"It's good to be back at the Showground, I'm keen to make a decent impact as I believe I'm a better rider now than when I was last here," he said.

"If we can be lucky with injuries and stay out of trouble, we definitely have a side capable a challenging for the title."

Bjerre will be hoping for better luck with injuries in 2009 after struggling through most of last season with a broken leg.

Following a corrective operation over the winter, the 24-year-old - who will also compete in the Grand Prix series for the first time - should be fully fit for the new campaign.

"It's going to be a busy season competing in four or five different leagues, my aim is to raise my game for the league just as I do for the big Grand Prix meetings," he said.

"The leg is feeling good, I've made a lot of progress over the past few weeks since the operation so I don't think I'll have anything to worry about."

Korneliussen joins the Panthers on loan and ready to win some silverware following a successful season with Swindon.

The 25-year-old has raced in Britain since 2003 and is a surprise arrival at the Showground following several years of steady improvement with the Robins.

"I'll be a bit nervous ahead of the first meet, but everyone is a bit nervous to start with," he said.

"I definitely think we have a team that can win the league."

Following a short spell with the Panthers in 2006, Zabik returned to the Showground midway through the 2008 season.

The 21-year-old Pole impressed enough to be the first rider contracted for 2009 and the Panthers management are confident he will be a big success in the Elite League this term.

Dryml returns to the Showground looking to recapture his form prior to a heavy accident whilst riding for Oxford in 2006.

The former Wolverhampton and Poole man is very much part of the Panthers second string, but could play a valuable role for the side.

Vissing was the Panthers success story of 2008 and found himself quickly promoted from reserve into the main body of the side.

One of four Danes in the 2009 line-up, Vissing will be hoping to build on the promise of his debut season.

Lee Complin and Andrew Tully will ride at reserve, doubling up at Stoke and Edinburgh respectively.

Scunthorpe's Simon Lambert joins as number eight after impressing as a guest for Panthers in 2008.

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire will be following the Panthers throughout the 2009 Elite League season.

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