HAWKINS: CUP JUST THE START

IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins says the club are determined to build on Thursday’s KO Cup triumph when they go into play-off action this week.

The Witches face Belle Vue in a repeat of last season’s semi-final, and both teams have concerns over key riders ahead of Monday’s first leg in Manchester.

Ipswich star Jason Doyle crashed out of the Danish Grand Prix on Saturday, whilst the Aces’ Norick Blodorn was withdrawn from the SGP2 event 24 hours earlier, with Charles Wright already ruled out after a heavy crash in Poland last weekend.

Hawkins said: “This season is ten years since I agreed to come back and ride for a month just to help Chris (Louis) out whilst he got sorted.

“Ten years later I am still here, and it has been ten years of working very hard. Look, the main goal is to win the play-offs, let’s be honest. However, the Knockout Cup is a massive achievement and we have got one more step to go.

“We are going to work very hard next week, but to get a Cup win will give the team a massive confidence boost as well, and we will keep this good feeling going into Monday.”