BELLE Vue booked their place in the 2022 Premiership Grand Final after beating Ipswich 55-35 at the National Speedway Stadium, for a final aggregate score of 107-73.
Already with a 14-point advantage going into Monday night’s fixture, the ATPI Aces continued to build on their lead from the first turn of a wheel.
Despite having not ridden at home for a month, they continued to demonstrate their might on Mancunian shale and preserved their unblemished league record on home turf.
Long-term injury victim Max Fricke was also in the pits offering words of encouragement to his team mates during the course of their dominance of the Witches.
There was little the visitors could do to respond to the sheer strength of their opponents, with ATPI Aces debutant Robert Lambert racking up a 15-point maximum.
The World No.5 said: “Max’s [Fricke] shoes are tough boots to fill around here and I never expected to come into my first meeting for Belle Vue and come away with a full maximum.
“It’s been a long and stressful few days for all involved to get us to this point and I’m just delighted to have this opportunity to come in and help the team to reach the Grand Final.
“You could sense the anticipation in the pits. The Ipswich boys were ready to battle and we were definitely up for the fight, and I think everyone rode well today.
“But we’re only half-way there in terms of the league title. The scores go back to zero once again and, come next week, we’ll be fighting for the ultimate prize.”
The ATPI Aces await the identity of their Grand Final opponent between Sheffield and Ipswich, which will be decided this Thursday, October 6 at Owlerton Stadium.
Meeting details, including tickets, hospitality, programmes and parking will be communicated in due course.
