PIC OF THE WEEK…
HERE’S the latest news and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
KING’S Lynn defeated newcomers Northampton 50-40 at the Adrian Flux Arena to open their account in the Premiership KO Cup southern section.
Stars skipper Chris Harris was in excellent form with 12+2 from five rides, and he shared in three 5-1s with the in-form Ben Cook.
The Foxes put in an encouraging display in their first meeting and had the majority of race winners, nine to the home side’s six, with Jaimon Lidsey taking the flag four times on his way to a bumper 15+1 haul from seven rides.
Photo credit: DEREK LEADER
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ACES COME GOOD!
BELLE Vue recovered from a shaky start to their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership opener to record a 51-39 win over champions Ipswich at the National Speedway Stadium.
The Aces needed to use a tactical substitute after dropping eight points down early on, before surging clear in the closing stages.
Manager Mark Lemon said:
“The scores don’t really relate to how hard the guys at the lower end are trying, and I thought Kildemand rode his socks off today for six points.
“It was a really good team effort and taking a 12-point lead against the champions is good. We’ve got to go down there and make sure we put on a great performance as we look for the aggregate point, but it’s always good to win the first league match.”
BIG SCALP FOR EDWARDS
IPSWICH Rising Star Jason Edwards was delighted to celebrate an epic race victory over Grand Prix ace Dan Bewley at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday.
Edwards combined with Tobiasz Musielak for a 5-1 in Heat 4 as the treble British Champion was kept back in third place – although he admitted he hadn’t realised the job his team-mate was doing!
Said Edwards:
“It’s funny because I didn’t know it was Tobi. I thought it was Dan chasing me, so I was trying as hard as I possibly could, and then I looked as I went over the line and realised it was Tobi. I watched it back online and Tobi did everything.
“The nice thing early on at Belle Vue is Dan and Brady (Kurtz) can’t do the big laps that they do. When Heat 13 comes, they can make people look stupid. If you can get a start early on and get your head down, you can get the win.”
FIRST WIN FOR STARS
KING’S Lynn boss Rob Lyon said there’s still more to come after seeing his side race to a 50-40 win over newcomers Northampton in the KO Cup on Monday.
The Stars hit back from losing their home opener to Ipswich but still found themselves conceding a majority of race wins to their opponents.
Lyon said:
“It was a much better performance tonight and it’s something to work on, although we’re still not where we want to be.
“We’ve still got to go to Northampton away in this mini-league, so we’ll see what we can do there, but this was much, much better.”
CREDIT FOR FOXES
NORTHAMPTON co-promoter Paul Hunsdon said there was plenty of encouragement for the new side to take from their first meeting on Monday.
Jaimon Lidsey top-scored for the Foxes with 15+1 from seven rides in a 50-40 KO Cup defeat at King’s Lynn where the visitors supplied nine of the 15 race wins in their opening match together.
Hunsdon said:
“I thought Jaimon showed every inch of his ability, it was a great performance and his ride in Heat 15 just summed it up.
“Tonight everything became a reality as a club, and Chris (Adams) galvanised the guys with a really good team meeting beforehand. They all know they’ve got to deliver to repay the hard work that’s going in off the track, and I think we showed we’re going to be a credible force this year.”
LIONS TAKE ADVANTAGE
LEICESTER have KO Cup progression in their own hands after a stunning 49-41 win at Sheffield last Thursday – which even came as a surprise to manager Stewart Dickson!
The Lions now need to avoid defeat in the return fixture at the Hydroscand Arena on Thursday to qualify for a second successive Cup Final.
Dickson said:
“We got off to a difficult start with Dougy (Ryan Douglas) having problems in Heat 1, but we recovered well and whilst it’s probably a surprising result it does show what we’re capable of when we all click.
“There’s a good feeling in the camp, which is always the way when you win, and we’ve given ourselves a real chance of qualifying for the Final, which didn’t look the case at 7.30pm – but it’s not over yet. We’ve still got a job to do on Thursday, and there’s still something for Sheffield to aim for.”
TIGERS – NO COMPLAINTS
SHEFFIELD boss Simon Stead admitted Leicester had deserved their shock Owlerton victory in the KO Cup last Thursday, but is backing his side to turn things around.
The Tigers can still reach the Final but they need to win this week’s return fixture in the East Midlands in order to turn the tables.
Stead said:
“I think you could see that there’s still a little bit of rustiness there and it’s quite obvious from the scorechart that we had too many last places and that needs addressing.
“For whatever reason, Leicester were more at it than we were and we have to hold our hands up, acknowledge that we weren’t good enough and make sure we come out swinging in a week’s time.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
THE Northern section of the KO Cup will be decided on Thursday as Leicester host Sheffield with the winners securing a Final place… meanwhile Ipswich can also wrap up the Southern section if they defeat Northampton at Foxhall… King’s Lynn and Sheffield open their league campaigns when they meet at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday.
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TIGERS – AGGREGATE THE KEY
GLASGOW boss Cami Brown says the aggregate point was the most important outcome from last weekend’s home and away clashes with Berwick.
The Tigers defeated the Bandits 51-39 at Ashfield and just managed to defend that advantage despite coming under threat at Shielfield Park, where they went down by eight points.
Brown said:
“Chris Harris had a very rare off night. But Kevin (Juhl Pedersen), Kyle (Howarth) and Leon Flint delivered when it mattered. We got the aggregate point and that keeps us in a good position in the group.
“There are lots of positives. Leon was outstanding all night and Kevin has been really impressive. Mario Hausl is also getting up to speed gradually. The main job was to get the bonus and we have achieved that.”
STRONG START FOR BATTYE
BERWICK newcomer Reid Battye made a dream home debut with a score of 12+3 at reserve as the Bandits opened their Shielfield Park campaign with a win over Glasgow.
Stewart Dickson’s side didn’t quite do enough for the aggregate point but he took plenty of encouragement from the overall display.
Dickson said:
“Reid certainly impressed in only his second-ever team event and he gave me plenty of options as the night went on.
“But to be fair everyone did their bit in a great team performance. That, and better, is what we must aim for going forward.”
FIRST WIN FOR COMETS
WORKINGTON opened their home campaign with a hard-fought win over Scunthorpe, coming out on top by eight points having seen their lead wiped out with four races remaining.
Stand-in boss Baz Collins said:
“We started off great, but credit to Scunthorpe for getting back in the meeting. During the interval some of the lads made some changes and it seemed to work out, and we managed to pull the score back.
“It’s was our first competitive meeting on home shale and with the bad weather there hasn’t been much opportunity for them to practice, so today was a good run out and I feel the boys started to get their set-ups dialled in towards the end.”
MONARCHS CHASE TURNAROUND
EDINBURGH captain Paco Castagna insists his side can overcome a 12-point deficit against Redcar and make it through to the MAXiCab KO Cup semi-finals.
The Monarchs went down 51-39 at the Ecco Arena last week but they have the chance to turn the tables at Armadale this Friday.
Castagna said:
“I still feel like we can pull it back at home. We are strong at home and we have a couple of guys that had a bit of an off-night, but that happens.
“It is a team sport and we win and lose as a team, and as a team I still think we can beat Redcar and go through.”
SCORPIONS’ MIXED EMOTIONS
SCUNTHORPE manager David Howe admitted he had mixed feelings after a much-improved away performance at Workington.
Scorpions went down 49-41 but had been level at 33-33 with four races remaining only for the Comets to pull clear with two 5-1s in Heats 12 and 14.
Howe said:
“We battled hard, but in a way it’s worse to lose in a close meeting like this, than it is by 30 points.
“We worked hard to get level heading into the interval, but then the two 5-1s done us. In a way, we would have been better to be slightly further back, so Josh (Pickering) could have come in as a tactical substitute.”
BEARS OVERCOME ISSUES
REDCAR promoter Jamie Swales praised riders from both teams after a 51-39 win over Edinburgh in the MAXiCab KO Cup in tough track conditions.
The Ecco Arena was hit by a major downpour at 4pm on raceday which undid previous work on the circuit, but the meeting still went ahead with the Bears building a lead to take to Armadale.
Swales told the club website:
“It was a great result and the lads kept positive heads and attacked a track that was far from ideal.
“Full credit to the track staff for working with both teams to keep the meeting going, and to all 14 riders for getting on with it. As tough as it looked, we completed 15 races and six junior races afterwards without a single faller.”
KEY TIME FOR GLADIATORS
PLYMOUTH boss Garry May says his side go into a crunch week with plenty of confidence.
The Gladiators are racing in both the BSN Series and MAXiCab KO Cup over the coming days, including a home-and-away battle with Glasgow over the weekend.
May said:
“It’s a big week for us with a lot on the line. We’re in a good position in the BSN Series, but we know it’s not done yet and we need to approach it the right way.
“Then it’s straight into a tough two-legged tie with Glasgow, so it’s about staying focused and putting together consistent performances across all three meetings.”
RISS RULED OUT
OXFORD have suffered a blow with the news that heat leader Erik Riss faces time out once again with illness, as a previous issue with his eyes has flared up once again.
Riss said:
“I am very sorry to my clubs and fans for this situation. I was confident that these issues were behind me and did not expect to be back in this position.
“Considering I had been doing everything that I was told by doctors, this is a big shock to me and quite a defeating feeling.
“I’m already seeking more professional help to try and get more closure on the issue and hopefully find a long-term solution.”
PIRATES CAUGHT OUT
POOLE No.1 Richard Lawson admitted the Pirates were caught out by track conditions in their BSN Series defeat at Oxford last Wednesday.
However, they are still in control of the southern section thanks to their win at Plymouth earlier in the season, with the return against the Cheetahs to come next week.
Lawson said:
“The track caught us all out. We weren’t making the starts and they were, and so we’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb. I’m glad personally that my last three rides were good from the start.”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
IT’S a big week of action in the MAXiCab KO Cup with Glasgow hosting Plymouth in the first leg of their quarter-final on Friday, before the teams make the long trip back to Devon for Saturday’s return… Berwick and Workington also clash over two legs starting at Shielfield Park on Saturday with the return in Cumbria on Sunday afternoon… Edinburgh face a 12-point deficit going into their second leg against Redcar at Armadale on Friday… meanwhile the Southern section of the BSN Series continues at Oxford on Wednesday with the Cheetahs hosting Plymouth.
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE LATEST
LION CUBS WIN OPENER
LEICESTER made a winning start to their WSRA NDL campaign as they overcame Middlesbrough 53-37 at the Hydroscand Arena, with Freddy Hodder impressing as he won his first three rides.
Manager Jen Crossland said:
“It was an absolutely great team performance, and I loved the atmosphere in the pits as well.
“I said it last season and I’ll say it again now, this level is the foundation of British Speedway. We need more young lads coming through to get into the Championship, Premiership and international racing, and it’s all there for them now.”
CHANGE FOR YOUNG STARS
KING’S Lynn have announced the signing of Jack Kingston after Jacob Clouting informed the club he would not be able to take up his place for personal reasons.
Manager Jason Pipe explained:
“I’m sure this isn’t the last we’ll see of Jacob on a speedway track and hopefully we’ll see him back racing again in the NDL in 2027.
“I’ve known Jack for a while now and kept an eye on him behind the scenes. I was recently watching him around Buxton in the Regina Fours and he really impressed me around there, and I did publicly comment that if I had a spot to fill in the Young Stars team, then I’d have snapped up Jack there and then on that day. So I’m now sticking to my word on that one!”
THE WEEK AHEAD…
DEFENDING champions Oxford launch their title defence against Middlesbrough at Cowley on Sunday… meanwhile, Buxton face Leicester in the first leg of a challenge match at the Hi-Edge Raceway.
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY APRIL 22:
BSN SERIES: Oxford (32) v Plymouth (57) 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 23:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (NORTH): Leicester (49) v Sheffield (41) 7.30
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (SOUTH): Ipswich v Northampton 7.30
FRIDAY APRIL 24:
MAXICAB KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg : Edinburgh (39) v Redcar (51) 7.30, 1st leg: Glasgow v Plymouth 7.30
SATURDAY APRIL 25:
MAXICAB KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Plymouth v Glasgow 7pm, 1st leg: Berwick v Workington 7pm
SUNDAY APRIL 26:
MAXICAB KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Workington v Berwick 3pm
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Oxford v Middlesbrough 3pm
NDL CHALLENGE 1st leg: Buxton v Leicester 3pm
MONDAY APRIL 27:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: King’s Lynn v Sheffield 7.30
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29:
BSN SERIES: Poole (39) v Oxford (51) 7.30
THURSDAY APRIL 30:
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (SOUTH): Northampton v Ipswich 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 1:
BSN SERIES: Edinburgh v Berwick 7.30, Scunthorpe (41) v Workington (49) 7.30
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE: Middlesbrough v Oxford 7.30
SATURDAY MAY 2:
BSN SERIES: Workington v Redcar 6pm
SUNDAY MAY 3:
BSN SERIES: Glasgow (45) v Edinburgh (45) 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Buxton 3pm
MONDAY MAY 4:
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1: Belle Vue v Northampton 12pm, Ipswich v King’s Lynn 2.15, Leicester v Northampton 7.30
Courtesy of BRITISHSPEEDWAY.CO.UK
Photo Courtesy of BRITISHSPEEDWAY.CO.UK
