WELCOME to the latest news from the Elite League, featuring items on all nine competing teams.
This week’s bulletin includes comment from Alun Rossiter.
BELLE VUE boss Chris Morton has emphasised that his team deserved their draw at Coventry on Friday, Charlie Gjedde snatching a point with his last-race overtake of Chris Harris.
Morton said: "Coventry were matched by a team who had the strength and determination to come back from what looked a difficult position. Both sides had some bad luck in the meeting, but I think it was shared quite evenly between us.
"I was pleased to come away with a point because we showed great spirit and deserved it. We could have won the match as well."
COVENTRY manager Peter Oakes was pleased with his side's response to another dropped home point as they secured qualification for the Craven Shield semi-finals with a battling display at Belle Vue.
Oakes said: "It was a night in which we didn't have any mechanical problems, and that was probably even more pleasing. The track conditions were difficult, but all credit to the riders from both sides for sticking at it and making it an entertaining meeting.
"Billy Janniro showed what he is capable of, but the other encouraging thing was seeing Andreas Messing winning two races and battling for every point, and that's probably his best performance all season."
EASTBOURNE star Cameron Woodward says his confidence is at an all-time high after the best run of form of his career at the start of the season.
The Australian said: "It's all down to confidence. I'm going to the start with faith in my equipment, and I know it won't do anything silly.
"It makes such a difference. When I watched the TV coverage of our match at Coventry I had to pinch myself and tell myself that was really me out there."
IPSWICH skipper Chris Louis says his team have to find an answer to their lack of consistency throughout meetings, which cost them the points at home to Swindon despite holding a 10-point lead.
Louis said: "Things have got to be put right. Monday night was very disappointing, and we have thrown away meetings with second half collapses far too often this year.
"I did not expect a team like Swindon to come to Foxhall and win. We have to do something."
LAKESIDE'S management have held talks with Joonas Kylmakorpi after the Finnish star has struggled to find his form so far this season.
Kylmakorpi will drop to reserve for the month of May, with the Hammers having qualified for the final of the Craven Shield by virtue of being the best of the three group winners.
Manager Jon Cook said: "We all know how fast Joonas can be, and everyone at the club will help him get back to the level of performance we expect and know that he is capable of delivering."
PETERBOROUGH manager Trevor Swales is hoping his team can enjoy a rare comfortable victory when they face Belle Vue at home on Thursday.
The Panthers have been run close in their recent outings at the Showground, with Lakeside taking a draw - and Ipswich and Eastbourne just missing out.
Swales said: "I am hoping for a big win, the team seem to be on the pace now and seem to have got their bikes sorted, I am looking for a bit of a confidence boost to be honest. I think most people would agree that Belle Vue are not one of the fancied teams, so it should be a good little run out for us."
POOLE promoter Matt Ford has stressed that the club are putting no pressure on Polish youngster Karol Zabik who has damaged his wrist twice this season as a result of unforced errors.
Ford said: "It is a concern that Karol keeps falling off by himself. The injuries he has sustained are just lack of concentration, but Karol is a lovely lad who really does feel the pressure.
"So, at this time, I don't want anyone putting even more pressure on him, because he is already putting too much pressure on himself. We need to nurse Karol through this."
SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter savoured the spirit in his new-look team who recovered from ten points down at Ipswich to snatch a famous 50-43 away win.
Rossiter said: "At 10 points down last year's team would have crumbled, no question. But you only have to see the young spirit in the camp this year.
"After four heats, I was worried. I didn't expect to be so far down, but James Wright's win in heat eight was a turning point. It was a brilliant ride, and so important for us."
WOLVERHAMPTON promoter Chris Van Straaten has paid tribute to both sets of riders who battled against the elements in Wolverhampton's win over Eastbourne on Monday.
A heavy downpour before the meeting left the track soaking wet and, as riders looked closely at prospects for racing, the long-serving Monmore chief admitted he was worried the fixture may be lost.
He said: "The Elite League boys have taken some negative press recently after the unfortunate postponement of the Elite League Pairs, but in this case it was totally the opposite.”
