Words: Hayley Bromley
Images: Ian Charles
It was not the result Belle Vue were hoping for at the National Speedway Stadium after the Swindon Robins took a 35-49 victory, with the meeting postponed after Heat 14 due to rain.
With the season closing in on its fabled business end the ‘Carpets 4 Less’ Robins were men on a mission in their pursuit of the top four, and their efforts netted them 4 league points in Manchester.
But despite the disappointing loss on home shale, the ‘Rentruck’ Aces remain the Premiership’s No.1 though there’s plenty of hard work ahead; particularly with their closest rivals bearing down.
Max Fricke said: “A few of the boys were struggling a bit with starts. It’s not something we can put our finger on at the moment, but we have to be frank and say we were beaten fair and square.
“Conditions were the same for everyone and the Swindon boys were really going for it and reaping the rewards for their trouble. We really need to figure out what was going on before the next one.
“There’s no easy meetings at this level. Everyone is after a place in the Play Offs and while we’re somewhat comfortably in there at the minute, we need to ensure that that’s where we stay.
“It’s so disappointing and frustrating to lose in front of your home crowd. None of us come here with anything other than a win in our minds so nights like tonight are certainly not what we want.
“But we can’t afford to let our heads drop off the back of this. Losses happen and we have to accept that. The important thing for us now is to regroup and come back stronger next time.”
The Belle Vue Aces take a break from action next week with the British GP in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium looming, but the Cool Running Colts are back at home on Wednesday July 19.
Then, there’s a real top-four tussle brewing when the Rentruck Aces next kick on in Manchester against the reigning champions Wolverhampton, led by their legendary No.1 Fredrik Lindgren.
Tickets for both these mouthwatering clashes are available online at www.bellevueaces.co, with the Wolverhampton fixture at the special price of £10 thanks to a promotion by BT Sport.
