BELLE VUE AND SHEFFIELD FACE EACH OTHER TWICE ON MONDAY

IT’S a big day for the Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces on bank holiday Monday, August 26 when they prepare for a massive double header against league leaders Sheffield in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The two sides have already confirmed their places in this year’s play offs, but now the ATPI Aces have their sights set on further pressuring the reigning champions at the top of the standings.

They begin their day at the National Speedway Stadium for a 12pm tapes up against the Tru7 Group Tigers, where they hope to gain a favourable advantage before crossing the Pennines.

The reverse fixture at Owlerton promises to see sparks fly with the two teams featured live on Eurosport in the final televised fixture ahead of the play offs.

Fresh off the back of victory at Ipswich, a fully-armed ATPI Aces side is ready for action on home shale, while Sheffield have one change with Tom Brennan guesting for the injured Tai Woffinden.

Club boss Mark Lemon said: “It’s straight back to business for us is a big day for our ATPI Aces as we tackle the Tigers not once, but twice in one day.

“Double headers are a unique challenge in and of themselves. They test the limits of man and machine but it’s part and parcel of the sport of Speedway at times.

“I want to see some real grit from the boys on Monday. They have been a dominant force on home shale all season long but I need them to really step things up. 

“The Play Offs are a unique point in any season. It feels like everyone raises their game and while we won’t show all our cards at once, I want to give the champions something to think about. 

“We know we have the capabilities to really push them at Owlerton as well and we’ve seen many other examples across the league of teams picking up points on the road.

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

Sheffield ‘Tru7 Group’ Tigers: Jack Holder 9.20, Kyle Howarth (C) 5.17, Chris holder 8.23, Josh Pickering 6.47, Tom Brennan (G) 8.67, Jason Edwards 3.25, Joe Thompson (G) RS; TM: Simon Stead

Photo credit: Ian Charles