THE Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces take a hard-earned 12-point lead into the second leg of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership semi-final after besting Sheffield 51-39 on home turf.
The visitors were brimming with confidence after claiming their first silverware of the season in the Knockout Cup, following their defeat of Ipswich over the two-legged semi-final.
But the matter of the league title remains up in the air after the ATPI Aces announced their intent with a strong offensive at home, one which could pay dividends in the second leg at Owlerton.
The home team began the night slow and steady, with a heat advantage in Heat 1 to establish their early lead, before Sheffield responded to draw the scores level at 15 apiece after five heats.
Never one to be pressured, however, the ATPI Aces were quick to respond and chip away at their opponent, mitigating the damage ahead of the crucial second leg in Yorkshire.
An inspiring ride from the newly minted FIM U23 Flat Track World Champion Jake Mulford in Heat 8 could prove to be a crucial one after he claimed a 5-1 with team partner Norick Blodorn.
And the ATPI Aces continued to go from strength to strength as the final race approached, with both Dan Bewley and Jaimon Lidsey called up for the final race of the night.
It was a thrilling spectacle as Bewley and Lidsey charged to a final 5-1 which sealed the ATPI Aces fate on the night, granting them the coveted lead they desired ahead of the second leg.
GP star Dan Bewley top scored with 12 points while team partner Jaimon Lidsey added an impressive 11+2 and super skipper Brady Kurtz put in a trademark performance to bag 9+1.
Lidsey said: “There was quite a bit of pressure on the boy and Sheffield have some great riders, particularly the Holder brothers and in Heat 15 it really was anyone’s to lose.
“We weren’t sure which way it would go, if Lemmo would’ve gone with me or Brady but either way we knew we could get our bikes to hook up and we were quietly confident we could do it.
“Sheffield aren’t a team to be underestimated. Have we done enough to secure our place in the final? We’ll find out on Thursday but we’ve definitely given ourselves a fighting chance.
The ATPI Aces are on the road to Sheffield this Thursday, September 19 for the second and deciding leg of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership semi- final against the Tru7 Group Tigers.
And, subject to successful qualification into the Grand Final, the first leg will be staged in Manchester at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday, September 23.
The Cool Running Colts, meanwhile, cam can confirm their final home action of the season will arrive on September 30, when they face off against Sheffield/Scunthorpe.
Meeting tickets, race day programmes and south stand parking are now available to pre-book at bellevue-speedway.com/events.
RESULT – BELLE VUE v SHEFFIELD – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 @7:30PM
Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces 51: Dan Bewley 12, Jaimon Lidsey 11+2, Brady Kurtz 9+1, Antti Vuolas 5+2, Norick Blodorn 5+2, Ben Cook 5, Jake Mulford 4+1
Sheffield ‘Tru7 Group’ Tigers 39: Jack Holder 12, Chris Holder 11, Chris Harris 5, Josh Pickering 4, Dan Gilkes 3+3, Jason Edwards 2, Kyle Howarth 2
Image: ©Belle Vue Speedway