BELLE Vue’s 29-year wait is finally over after they were crowned the 2022 Premiership Champions on Thursday night at Sheffield, ending a near three decade wait for league silverware.
The ATPI Aces went into leg two at Owlerton with two men down following injuries to both Jye Etheridge and Charles Wright in the first leg in Manchester on Monday.
And the TruPlant Tigers were determined to hammer home their intentions on home shale, dominating 50-40 on the night while constantly keeping the pressure on the aggregate scores.
At one point, Belle Vue’s advantage diminished to just 2 points as the business end of the meeting loomed, but their magic number of 40 points on the night was all but sealed by Heat 14.
It’s been a challenging year for the club, with many trials and tribulations threatening to trip up the ATPI Aces on their way to league silverware.
But they’ve proved their tenacity time and again, and after a long season they can finally bask in the glow of victory as Premiership League Champions.
Club captain Brady Kurtz said: “We got the job done! What a club, what a team effort it has been all season long and we have such a great bunch of guys both on and off the track.
“Sheffield are a tough team especially around Owlerton and fair play to them, they pushed us hard all night long and they certainly made us work for this.
“It’s a shame that Charles and Jye couldn’t get on a bike tonight. They’ve been a massive part of our team and they deserve their moment, and Max [Fricke] too.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. 29 years this club has waited for this moment and we’re so grateful to all the fans for sticking with us and backing us every step on the journey to this victory.”
The final fixture in Manchester takes the form of the Premiership Pairs on Thursday, October 27 at the National Speedway Stadium.
Ahead of the meeting, the Premiership Champions will be on parade on home shale as they bring the league trophy home to Manchester for the first time since 1993.
