ACES LOOK TO SECURE PLAY-OFF PLACE

BELLE Vue ATPI Aces commence a critical week in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership as they look to mathematically secure their place in the 2024 play offs.

The ATPI Aces head to Ipswich on Thursday, August 22 in pursuit of three league points which would ensure their closest rivals, Oxford, would be unable to best their position.

Even just the aggregate bonus would be sufficient, and which following the Mancunians home 58-26 demolition of the Witches is almost certainly in the bag.

The Witches have been in patch up mode, struggling with injury in recent weeks after losing Emil Sayfutdinov after a brutal crash at Sheffield, and more recently Adam Ellis who is ruled out with a concussion.

The opponent has called on both Scott Nicholls and Zach Cook to deputise for two of their absentees, with rider replacement in effect at No.5 for the injured Sayfutdinov.

Despite their patched-up side, ATPI Aces boss Mark Lemon is taking nothing for granted ahead of the meeting after the Witches already qualified for the end-of-season play offs.

He said: “It’s been a rough few weeks for Ipswich which have been dealt with a real blow on losing both their top riders through injury and even though they are mathematically secured in the top four, I don’t believe they will relent when we take to the track.

“We gave them a pretty good hiding at the National Speedway Stadium and I’m sure they will want to return the favour, so we’ll nothing for granted.

“We’ve got a full complement of riders and with Dan Bewley just coming off of another superb win in Cardiff although I hope he goes better around Ipswich this time round than previous.

“The feeling in the team is good and we are more than prepared to compete for ever point available to us.”

“We do have work still to do to ensure our spot in the top four and would be nice to guarantee and secure a top four and play off place sooner rather than later so the team must remain focused.”

“With four teams mathematically vying for that ultimate top spot, we can have a major influence the final finishing order, as we have matches in hand, and you can bet the boys will be giving it everything .”

The ATPI Aces commence a busy week to complete their regularly scheduled fixtures, with visits to Ipswich on Thursday, August 22 and King’s Lynn on Wednesday, August 28.

In between, they face reigning league champions Sheffield in a massive bank holiday double header, beginning in Manchester on Monday, August 26 at 12pm.

They then head to Owlerton later that same day for the deciding leg, and with league points still very much their aim as the 2024 play offs draw closer.

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches: Scott Nicholls (G) 9.36, Dan Thompson (RS) 5.02, Danny King (C) 6.98, Zach Cook (G) 5.63, Emil Sayfutdinov R/R 9.04, Keynan Rew 4.77, Jordan Jenkins 3.66; TM: Ritchie Hawkins

Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces: Dan Bewley 8.96, Norick Blödorn 5.23,  Jaimon Lidsey 7.63, Ben Cook 6.58, Brady Kurtz (C) 8.65, Antti Vuolas 4.55, Jake Mulford RS; TM: Mark Lemon

Aggregate Score: Ipswich 26-58 Belle Vue

Photo credit: Ian Charles