Belle Vue Aces v Ipswich Witches

BELLE Vue put an end to the last remaining unbeaten record in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership with a thumping 55-35 home win over Ipswich.

The Aces moved up to second in the league table by taking maximum points from the meeting in another impressive display at the National Speedway Stadium.

Captain Brady Kurtz scored a 12-point maximum as the home heat-leaders dominated the race wins, with Dan Bewley (12+2) only missing out to Witches guest Ryan Douglas in Heat 15, whilst Jaimon Lidsey added ten.

Douglas, with 11+1, proved a good guest for Ipswich captain Danny King but the visitors were also without Jason Doyle, who had to disembark his scheduled flight in Poland for technical reasons and was unable to make it to Manchester. Rising Star Dan Thompson put in another strong performance, scoring nine.

Aces star Ben Cook (8+1) said: “We’ve made a really good start to the season and with each meeting we’re settling into our routine and feeling more confident in our racing.

“The track has had lot more grip the past couple of weeks, which has been more challenging. It’s tricky to ride this track at the best of times but we were able to adapt quickly.

“Things might’ve been closer if they’d been at full strength, but that’s speedway. You adapt to the situation around you and things played out in our favour as a result.”

Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “It was a tough night at the office, the first one of the year. Everything has gone so well so far, so we certainly do not need to dwell on tonight.

“It was a very tough night, similar to recent visits to Belle Vue where we have just not been quick enough. We were missing a couple of riders and Dougy did a great job replacing Danny.

“Doyley was a massive loss and maybe he would have given us a shout for the aggregate point but overall, I don’t think it made a massive difference to the result.”