BELLE Vue’s bid for a third league title in five years takes them to Roses rivals Sheffield for the first leg of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Grand Final on Thursday (7.30pm).
The ATPI Aces have enjoyed a stellar season throughout 2026 but now the task is to overcome the Tigers over two legs and take the title in Manchester next Monday (October 12).
Meetings between Belle Vue and Sheffield always have added spice, and the rivalry will be at maximum levels over the next two meetings with the league’s top prize at stake.
The two clubs met at this stage in 2022, and a sensational Grand Final resulted with the Aces putting on a masterclass of defending a lead when they raced at Owlerton.
This time the roles are reversed as the Tigers host the first leg having come through a remarkable semi-final which saw them slam Leicester 57-33 at home only to be on the receiving end of the same scoreline back in the East Midlands, before edging through in a tense Super Heat.
The first leg score gives an indication of the Tigers’ potential on their own circuit, but the Aces can take confidence from their last visit to Owlerton in late August.
Previous appearances in South Yorkshire this season had seen Belle Vue hampered by injuries, but with a full-strength side on Bank Holiday Monday they led for much of the meeting before going down to a narrow 47-43 defeat.
They provided nine race wins in that contest and a similar outcome here would very much assist their chances, but the Tigers will clearly provide strong opposition.
Former Aces skipper Max Fricke has again been booked to guest for long-term injury victim Jack Holder for the hosts, with the teams otherwise to be at full strength and with their normal riding orders.
Belle Vue manager Mark Lemon said: “We expect a battle. There’s real history in this, there are grudges and rivalry with the War of the Roses so I don’t expect anything to be easy, and I think it’s going to be an epic Grand Final.
“Nothing really changes in terms of preparation, it’s just that there’s more riding on it and there’s been more time to give the Final the attention it requires.
“But we’ve been here before, we know what we need to do and it will be the same processes that we stick to.
“Target-wise, you obviously want to keep any deficit down to single figures, and you have to respect the opposition because Sheffield are very capable too, that’s why they’re in the Grand Final.
“We will be going there to try and win, as we would always do, and if we can’t do that then we want it to be as tight as possible – and then afterwards we’ll break down what we need to do at home.”
Aces supporters are set to head to Owlerton in large numbers on Thursday, but for those not making the trip live streaming coverage is available on BSN https://www.britishspeedwaynetwork.co.uk/ . Live race updates and text commentary will be provided at https://live.britishspeedway.co.uk/ .
Tickets and hospitality for the second leg at the National Speedway Stadium on October 12 can be booked at https://www.bellevue-speedway.com/tickets . Supporters are advised to pre-book if at all possible to avoid disappointment.
SHEFFIELD: Max Fricke, Anders Rowe, Chris Holder, Leon Flint, Josh Pickering, Jye Etheridge, Luke Killeen.
BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Peter Kildemand, Zach Cook, Jason Doyle, Tate Zischke, Will Cairns.