PREVIEW: BELLE VUE v SHEFFIELD / SHEFFIELD v BELLE VUE (ROWE MOTOR OIL PREM)

BELLE VUE and Sheffield have a double date on Bank Holiday Monday today as their ‘War of the Roses’ rivalry resumes.

The two sides are both firmly expected to be in and around the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off shake-up this season, having met in the semi-finals last year where the Aces edged the aggregate victory en route to the title.

Dan Bewley returns to domestic duties after his runners-up spot in the FIM Grand Prix of Germany at the weekend, a meeting which also saw home skipper Brady Kurtz reach the Final.

The Aces host the first encounter at the National Speedway Stadium at midday, before the return at Owlerton gets underway at 6.30pm.

Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “It’s a really fascinating battle. Of course this is the one the fans love the most. There will be plenty of digs and that’s all part of it. 

“They will still be hurting from the ATPI Aces winning the league for the 14th time and beating them on the way last season. That will fire them up. 

“Right now, we are in terrific shape. Brady is arguably the most in-form rider in the world right now. I’m looking forward to getting the boys back together in Manchester for what should be a belter of a meeting with the Tigers.”

Tigers captain Josh Pickering said: “I love a bit of a challenge and those big meetings that you can just tell everyone is pumped up for. Edinburgh versus Glasgow was always my first derby of course in the Championship, and now I’ve picked up Sheffield against Belle Vue.

“I know how much this one means that little bit extra to people at the club, but at the end of the day, they’re just another team.

“Yes they won the league last year, yes they’ve got some good riders, but we’ve beat them before and we know we can beat them again.”

The midday meeting at Belle Vue will also see the draw made for the Attis Insurance Sports Division British Final live on the BVTV streaming service.

BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Jaimon Lidsey, Zach Cook, Dan Bewley, Tate Zischke, Jake Mulford.

SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, Josh Pickering, Justin Sedgmen, Chris Holder, Lewis Kerr, Leon Flint.

SCB Referee: Wayne Jarvis / Michael Breckon

*LIVE STREAMING (at Belle Vue): https://www.bvtv.live/