AFTER an epic week of Speedway World Cup action, reigning Premiership champions Belle Vue are back at the National Speedway Stadium for their local derby against Sheffield on July 31.
British No.1 and No.2 Dan Bewley and Tom Brennan return as SWC silver medallists after a close shootout with victors Poland in Saturday’s dramatic finale in Wroclaw.
But it’s back to league action for the ATPI Aces in Manchester in the second half of their War of the Roses clash with the TruPlant Tigers after the latter drew first blood at Owlerton a fortnight ago.
The aggregate scores stand at 40-50 in favour of the visitors, but with Lewis Kerr already out with a broken collarbone they are also sweating on the fitness of top gun Jack Holder.
Holder was involved in a nasty spill while competing for Team Australia in the World Cup and was withdrawn from the meeting, understandably, on medical grounds.
Belle Vue, meanwhile, are expected to remain at full strength and are on the hunt for not only the precious aggregate bonus point but the two league points on offer for the win.
Team boss Mark Lemon said: “First of all, congratulations to GB on their silver medal at the weekend. Even as Team Australia boss, it was still a proud moment to see two of our Aces on the podium.
“It’s straight back into league action for us on Monday, and this will be another crucial fixture on our calendar and we can always expect a tough challenge from Sheffield.
“We were doing very well at Owlerton until that last batch of races where we let things slip, which was incredibly disappointing and frustrating as well because it’s the second time that’s happened.
“But we’re still in with a very good chance of the bonus point and the boys are pumped up for this meeting. We’ve long owed Sheffield some payback for their early season win here in Manchester.”
The ATPI Aces are back in action at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday, July 31 against the Sheffield Tigers in the Premiership, tapes up at 7:30pm.
Meeting tickets, race day programmes, hospitality and south stand parking are now available to pre-book online at bellevue-speedway.com/events.
BELLE VUE V SHEFFIELD – MONDAY, JULY 31 @ 7:30PM [P2]
Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces: Dan Bewley 8.28, Norick Blodorn 5.69, Jaimon Lidsey 7.25, Charles Wright 6.67, Brady Kurtz (C) 8.28, Tom Brennan 5.66, Connor Bailey RS; TM: Mark Lemon
Sheffield ‘TruPlant’ Tigers: Jack Holder 8.58, Lewis Kerr R/R, Adam Ellis 6.09, Josh Pickering 5.79, Tobiasz Musielak 8.17, Kyle Howarth (C) 5.50, Dan Gilkes RS; TM: Simon Stead
Aggregate Scores: Belle Vue 40-50 Sheffield
Image: Ian Charles