Two stunning team displays helped Belle Vue record their first points of the Elite League season against Coventry Bees over the weekend, to the delight of team manager Jason Attwood.
The Rentruck Aces scored maximum points in the final heat of Friday’s meeting in Coventry to secure a 45 point draw before storming to a 52-41 home victory three days later.
Attwood’s riders took maximum points from seven heats at the Kirkmanshulme Lane meeting, and the Aces boss is determined to make home advantage count this season.
“It was a great team performance,” he said. “We carried on where we left off in the draw at Coventry last Friday and to score 52 points without anyone reaching double figures says a lot for our team effort.
“It was good to see six of the boys winning races and they are really getting the track sorted out.”
Number one Matej Zagar took nine points on Monday, as did Kevin Wolbert and Artur Mroczka after Belle Vue’s one and two had also taken 13 and 12 respectively three days earlier.
Magnus Zetterstrom – who has started the season in fine form – added a further eight points, as did Craig Cook and Kauko Nieminen.
Cook missed the meeting in Coventry as he was doubling-up for Edinburgh but he produced some stunning rides to take 14 points for his Premier League side.
The Aces trailed the Bees team 30-18 after eight heats but Zagar and Wolbert capped a fantastic fight-back in the final heat to secure two away points.
Those away points mean Belle Vue have already bettered their total from last season’s travels, and promoter Chris Morton believes it was just reward for a stirring comeback.
“The lads showed a lot of guts and determination to get the draw with a very spirited effort in the second half of the meeting,” he explained.
“Zagar was outstanding and rode some very smart races. Wolbert was fantastic while Ales Dryml did well after sorting out bike problems.”
Next up, the Aces welcome Peterborough Panthers to Kirkmanshulme Lane on Monday April 16, starting at 7.30pm.
Image courtesy of Sky Sports, with thanks.
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