ACES AIM TO ACE SPIRES

WITH their home campaign on pause for three weeks, the Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces are looking forward to resuming their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership bid at home to Oxford on Monday, July 22.

And following a tough first leg at Sandy Lane last Thursday, in which the Spires triumphed 53-37, the home team are determined to turn the tide in their favour at the National Speedway Stadium.

Yet despite their struggles the ATPI Aces remain in third in the league standings on 21 points, just one point behind league champions Sheffield and only eight points adrift of leaders Ipswich.

But with the Tru7 Group Tigers also in action against Birmingham on Monday night, there will be a subconscious scrap between the two northern rivals to secure second place, for now.

As with the first leg against the Spires, Belle Vue have called on Antti Vuolas to step in for the injured Tate Zischke, while Jake Mulford steps in for Connor Bailey who has stepped down.

Oxford, meanwhile, are at full strength for this clash with only one change to their roster, after the club confirmed that Luke Killeen would make his debut at No.2 in place of Drew Kemp.

Club boss Mark Lemon said: “We took a battering at Cowley, which was really disappointing considering how close we had kept things almost until the last moments.

“I want to see a strong response from the boys on Monday that mirrors the gritty efforts of the Spires, which I know is not beyond the capabilities of this team.

“The key will be in the aggregate bonus points. We have an excellent record in that respect and it is our home performances, certainly this year, where our strength has flourished.

“I have no doubt that the team can and will deliver the result we want, and it will be a baptism of fire for our two young guests but they have my fullest backing and confidence.”

The ATPI Aces pick up their home campaign against the Spires at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday, July 22, where they aim to recover from a 1st leg 16-point deficit.

Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces: Brady Kurtz (C) 8.87, Norick Blodorn 5.20, Jaimon Lidsey 7.58, Ben Cook 6.57, Dan Bewley 8.13, Antti Vuolas (G) 4.57, Jake Mulford (G) RS; TM: Mark Lemon

Oxford ‘OXS’ Spires: Rohan Tungate 7.43, Drew Kemp 4.45, Maciej Janowski 6.04, Charles Wright 6.27, Chris Harris (C) 6.33, Erik Riss 4.30, Ashton Boughen RS; TM: Peter Schroek

Aggregate Score: Belle Vue 37-53 Oxford

Photo credit: Ian Charles