WELCOME to the latest news from the BSPA, featuring items on all nine competing teams in the Elite League.
BELLE VUE manager Chris Morton has highlighted the impact made by youngsters Billy Forsberg and Patrick Hougaard, who were both to the fore as the Aces notched a home win over Ipswich.
Morton said: "I am very pleased with the way both of them are progressing. Ipswich were very determined on Monday and took the lead twice but Patrick and Billy played their parts in making sure we won.
"We had some bad luck but the boys stayed calm and never panicked. I always felt we had enough in hand to win the match and we did so."
COVENTRY are hoping to have Hans Andersen in their team for Thursday's trip to his former club Peterborough, having awaited clearance to declare him after being released by the Panthers.
Andersen said: "I'm really looking forward to my first meeting after having such a time out of British racing. It will be good to get back on a bike and race for Coventry.
"It's not the way I wanted things to end with Peterborough, as I've had a couple of really good years there. We became champions in 2006 but unfortunately everything has gone pear-shaped there and I want to get back on track."
EASTBOURNE boss Trevor Geer admits that his team's hopes of a high play-off finish are receding after a heavy defeat at Lakeside on Monday leaves them short of opportunities to win again on the road.
Geer said; "There was some good racing but we had two or three riders really struggling. Edward Kennett swapped bikes towards the end and got going, and maybe some of the others should have done that.
"We needed to win to stand a chance of the top two, but it didn't happen and now we have to try to win our other two away matches."
IPSWICH star Tobias Kroner says he is ready to score well in the main body of the Witches' team after struggling there earlier in the season.
Kroner said: "I don't know why but it affected my ability to win races. But having analysed the situation I am certain I have overcome those demons.
"Whatever number in the team I race from now on I am sure I can score well. I am happy to ride anywhere and sit at the starting tapes confident of scoring points."
LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook admitted he was somewhat fearful of Eastbourne ahead of Monday's Elite League fixture at Purfleet - but his team did him proud with a 56-37 win.
Cook said: "This was the one I didn't think we'd take. I think we could afford to lose one at home, but hopefully we won't and our confidence is very high.
"The match against Swindon on Friday is a really big one for us, and if we can win that I think top two looks really good for us. We'll be happy to be in the play-offs, but I think there are other teams who could come with a strong run."
PETERBOROUGH have agreed deals with three of their former riders - Ryan Sullivan, Lukas Dryml and Karol Zabik - as part of a major mid-season re-vamp at the Showground.
Morten Risager is the latest rider to make way as Dryml returns to the club, with the Panthers also set to lose former skipper Hans Andersen.
Manager Trevor Swales said: "Lukas was very, very positive about coming back to the club. In fact, the deal was sorted in a matter of minutes. This is a team-building exercise and one we have to get right."
POOLE are waiting on the availability of Davey Watt for this week's matches against Lakeside and Swindon as his partner is due to go into labour with their second child.
Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: "I'm just hoping Fiona delivers just before or just after our meeting against Lakeside, and if she can do it after our match at Blunsdon on Thursday so much the better!
"In all seriousness, the main thing is that everything goes okay with the birth, so if Davey has to miss the Lakeside or Swindon meetings we will use rider replacement to cover for him."
SWINDON newcomer Jurica Pavlic made an outstanding Elite League debut with paid twelve in the Robins' narrow defeat at Wolverhampton.
Robins boss Alun Rossiter said: "Jurica was fantastic. I just said to him ‘there’s no pressure, just go out and ride.' To come over and ride like that at Wolverhampton is incredible.
"Give him one season in England and he’ll be ten-times a better rider because all the top boys race in this country. I’m over the moon for him. He always looked well in control and was always smooth."
WOLVERHAMPTON returnee Jesper B Monberg rode through the pain barrier on his comeback for the club after crashing in Poland on Sunday and hurting his back.
Monberg said: "My back was bruised, it was uncomfortable to sit down and I was in all sorts of discomfort but there was no way I was going to pull out of my first meeting back with Wolves.
“Things got better for me as the meeting progressed and I was pleased to help the team to a win because I know it’s been hard for the boys this season."
