WELCOME to the latest news from the BSPA, featuring items on all nine competing teams in the Elite League.
ELITE LEAGUE LATEST…
BELLE VUE will be without Polish rider Lukasz Jankowski for at least a month with a broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder after a crash in the Aces' dramatic home win over Eastbourne.
Promoter David Gordon said: "Just when we thought we were getting through a bad spell of injuries, our hoodoo has struck again.
"He has broken his collarbone and there could be further problems with his shoulder. As it looks at the moment, he will be out for a month and possibly six weeks."
COVENTRY manager Peter Oakes was pleased to see the Bees return after nearly a month off with a win over Belle Vue - but says they will need to improve over the coming weeks for a shot at defending their titles.
He said: "It was good to get another win, I thought we were always relatively comfortable but we won't be shouting from the rooftops, we're still some way off our best.
"There are still things that we need to do to think about really climbing up the table, but it was some riders' first meetings for nearly a month and it gives us some breathing space."
EASTBOURNE co-promoter Martin Hagon says he is having to learn fast in order to keep pace with the twists and turns of the Elite League season, and the options open to the club.
Hagon said: "Knowledge is a valuable thing and some promoters have been doing this a lot longer than me. If you look at Poole, they made changes very quickly. They were on the ball with the rules and have a very big asset base.
"That makes things more affordable as you don't have to pay loan fees. I still think we have got a very good team, but if you look at Lakeside, for example, with Joonas Kylmakorpi at reserve, they are fortunate for him to be there."
IPSWICH reserve Chris Schramm felt that race-rustiness had played its part as the Witches saw their blistering run of form ended with a ten-point home defeat by Poole.
Schramm said: "It's been a very difficult night, but I haven't ridden a bike in anger for more than three weeks.
"It's completely mad and far too long a time to have off because you lose your reactions and your aggression. The team lost its momentum and when Poole got in front they were simply too fast."
LAKESIDE promoter Jon Cook says he would be happy if the Hammers finished the regular stages of the Elite League in second place - leaving the pressure on the leaders ahead of the play-offs.
Cook said: "I'd be happy if we were never top of the league, and I'd go for second all the way because the team that finishes top is under massive pressure.
"We're doing what we need to do as we've picked up nine points away from home and we're the only team left with an unbeaten home record."
PETERBOROUGH manager Trevor Swales has confirmed that club legend Ryan Sullivan could be in the equation for a shock Showground return later this season - but has played down talk of a deal being struck imminently.
Swales said: "I admit that I am speaking to Ryan but we have not got as far as discussing finances as yet.
"A stumbling block could be accommodating our fixtures alongside his commitments on the continent."
POOLE manager Neil Middleditch felt the Pirates' emphatic win at Ipswich on Monday was vital given their defeats against the Witches and Peterborough in their last two home matches.
Middleditch said: "It was just what we needed after the poor performances of the past couple of weeks. I reminded the boys about this in my pre- match team talk, and said how important it was for us to get a result from this match.
"It would seem that they agreed with me and everyone played their part and scored points when we needed them. We now need to stay in this mood and beat Wolverhampton at Poole on Wednesday night."
SWINDON co-promoter Gary Patchett believes that Theo Pijper can regain his confidence with a move into the Premier League - and is backing replacement rider Manuel Hauzinger to be a success at Blunsdon.
Patchett said: "Manuel will come in on Thursday and maybe it will be a little boost. We will try and get him some track time first.
"I actually think a drop down will help Theo. I don't think he will go long before he finds a ride as there are plenty of Premier League teams looking for riders of his calibre."
WOLVERHAMPTON owner Chris Van Straaten was encouraged by his team’s efforts in the 54-38 home win over Peterborough.
He said: “The boys know the pressure is on and I thought they showed just how much they wanted to put things right.
“Riders like Christian Hefenbrock showed a strong desire and determination, despite riding with a broken bone in his hand.”
