PREVIEW: BELLE VUE v IPSWICH (ROWE MOTOR OIL PREM)

IPSWICH begin their defence of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership title in the first fixture of the league campaign at Belle Vue tonight (Monday).

The Witches defeated the Aces in the play-off semi-finals last season and the two clubs have been involved in a series of thrilling encounters in recent years.

Belle Vue return to full strength after Brady Kurtz and Norick Blodorn missed the majority of their KO Cup group campaign due to injury and illness respectively.

Ipswich also track a full line-up after an encouraging start to the season as their new-look line-up has defeated King’s Lynn home and away in the KO Cup, and there is a switch in riding order with Richard Lawson moving to No.3 and Tobiasz Musielak to No.5.

Aces manager Mark Lemon said: “It was very positive news for the league and the sport as a whole when the Ipswich takeover was completed, and they have started well with home and away wins over King’s Lynn.

“But we do hope to send them away pointless, and we can take real encouragement from our two home performances especially.

“Dan (Bewley) was absolutely immaculate on Easter Monday and obviously it’s a great boost to have Brady back at No.1 along with Norick also returning, so we’re at full strength and very keen to open our league season with a win.”

Witches boss Paul Hurry said: “It has gone well so far, but you can’t take things for granted. We have just raced King’s Lynn at home and away. The tell-tale signs will come on Monday at Belle Vue.

“That will be a challenge – everyone knows what can happen to teams that go there. We’ll just go there and look to keep it close.”

BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Peter Kildemand, Zach Cook, Dan Bewley, Tate Zischke, Will Cairns.

IPSWICH: Tom Brennan, Danny King, Richard Lawson, Scott Nicholls, Tobiasz Musielak, Philip Hellstrom-Bangs, Jason Edwards.

SCB Referee: Michael Breckon

*LIVE STREAMING: https://www.britishspeedwaynetwork.co.uk/