WELCOME to the latest news from the BSPA, featuring items on all nine competing teams in the Elite League.
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE legend Jason Lyons proved he can still mix it at Elite League level with a crucial double-figure contribution in the Aces' 48-42 home win over Poole.
Lyons' 11-point haul proved to be the difference in the clash between two injury-hit teams as he made a guest appearance for broken thumb victim Billy Forsberg.
Aces boss Chris Morton said: "I am so impressed with the guts this team showed. We knew it would be hard against a team who had hit a rich vein of form and, of course, we have still got our injury problems. But we are getting stuck in and making up for our problems. This team has such a lot of mettle."
COVENTRY manager Peter Oakes is hopeful that the Bees will not be without key second-string Olly Allen for too much longer, as his absence was clearly felt during their recent home defeat by Lakeside.
Oakes said: "There's no doubt that we suffered without him because he is a gater and we just didn't pick up enough points from his rider replacement rides. We do need to hope that he can get back as soon as possible.
"We know what a good gater he is, probably the best in the team on a consistent level, and he certainly has been this year around Brandon, and we did miss that, although that's not an excuse for what happened."
EASTBOURNE are considering their options after a run of four consecutive defeats, including two on home territory at Arlington.
The Eagles are currently without skipper Lee Richardson due to a wrist injury, and manager Trevor Geer said: "We all know the reserves aren't scoring and you can't win matches when other team's reserves are getting double figures.
"We are looking all the time. We have got to do something in that reserve position. It's getting the right man somewhere, maybe we can do something for 28 days."
IPSWICH have leapt into the top four after two away wins in three days at Eastbourne and Wolverhampton, with Polish star Piotr Swiderski playing a key role.
Manager Pete Simmons said: "All of the riders have done their bit and I've got to be happy with them. We said we would have been happy with one away win from these matches, but now we've done two on the bounce.
"It's moved us right up into the play-off zone so I'm delighted. We're on a roll with five wins on the trot."
LAKESIDE promoter Stuart Douglas expressed his relief after the Hammers fought back from 10-points down to secure a dramatic home win over close rivals Eastbourne.
Douglas said: "I'm not sure I have the disposition to handle it that close very week but what a tremendous feeling to fight back from a hefty deficit and come away with absolutely vital league points.
"All credit to Eastbourne, they were really fast out of the blocks and we were playing catch up constantly. Last season we would have capitulated - that's the difference with the riders we have now. We will not give up."
PETERBOROUGH feel the balance of their team is set to receive an immediate boost with the signing of ex-Panther Henning Bager, who will make his debut on Thursday against Wolverhampton.
Team boss Trevor Swales said: "I have known Henning for a long time and he will do a good job for us both at Alwalton which he loves, and away especially on the smaller circuits.
"He really wants to ride for the Panthers, and another benefit of him coming is that it enables Morten Risager to go down to reserve which will help his confidence as well. Henning will go into the team at No.2 and will partner team captain Hans Andersen."
POOLE promoter Matt Ford is calling on his supporters to come out in force to Wednesday night's clash with in-form Ipswich at Wimborne Road.
Ford said: "The football match (Champions League Final) will be broadcast on the TV screens inside the glass-fronted stand and so fans of both sports can keep in touch with exactly what is happening in both places.
"I am unsure at the moment as to whether Chris (Holder) will be fit enough to line-up for us. He is a tough young man and I know that if there is a chance he can ride he will do."
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter believes that Mads Korneliussen's form in the early part of the season has been good enough to secure him the Wild Card berth for his home Grand Prix in Copenhagen next month.
Rossiter said: "Mads has made significant progress in the last few seasons, not just with Swindon, but throughout the speedway World. His performance on Saturday (third in Danish Championship) further emphasises his breathtaking form and must make him the main contender for a Wild Card spot at Copenhagen.
"This result confirms that he can mix it with the heavy hitters and he therefore deserves a shot at the big time. Mads is now consistently performing better than many of his compatriots, riders such as Kenneth Bjerre, Charlie Gjedde and Nicolai Klindt."
WOLVERHAMPTON boss Peter Adams has admitted time is running out for his under-pressure riders.
The Monmore men suffered their third home defeat of the season at the hands of Ipswich to leave Adams and owner Chris Van Straaten considering their options.
“The clock is ticking for this team and for certain riders it’s ticking louder with every meeting,” said Adams.
“We’re in a rebuilding process at the club but we need to start winning sooner rather than later.”
