Belle Vue captain Max Fricke says he wants to see the Rentruck Aces push the boundaries of their comfort zone when their campaign commences, stating the team has “untapped potential.”
The Class of 2019 met for the first time on Monday for Belle Vue’s annual press and practice under the glorious blue skies of Manchester, just five days before the club’s season opener.
Fricke said: “There’s a great energy amongst the guys already. Everyone is so excited to be here in Manchester. We’re very lucky to have such an incredible track and stadium to call our home.
“There’s quite a few new faces in the team but we’re all familiar with one another. Everyone is friendly and prepared to pitch in to help, so hopefully we can build on that throughout the year.
“It’s that kind of emotional bond that does wonders for team morale and in a league as competitive as this, that can and will make all the difference when it comes to a meeting.”
When quizzed about early season injuries to a couple of the younger Rentruck Aces, Fricke said: “Talking to Jaimon [Lidsey], I think he’s pretty much forgotten all about his collarbone injury.
“He’s got plenty to focus on at the minute and he’s raring to go. Dan [Bewley] likewise is eager to pick up from where he left off. He had a very serious injury and spent a lot of time off the bike.
“But they’re both young, they have plenty of energy and their attitude is spot on. Obviously, a practice is completely different to a meeting but I’m not worried. They certainly aren’t!”
At 22 years old, Fricke is very much in the prime of life and has set himself, and his Aces, clear goals for the new season: “I want to help everyone at Belle Vue be the best they can be.
“Some might say that’s a big ask with everything else I have going on personally, but there is so much capability in this team that there’s no reason we can’t push for the league title.
“It’s a big year for me and it’s a big year for this club but if we perform to the best of our abilities, both at home and away, I firmly believe we will be right up there in the Premiership top four.”
Fricke makes his first appearance at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium amongst the meeting headliners for Belle Vue’s season opener, the prestigious Peter Craven Memorial.
Tickets are available online now at www.bellevue-speedway.com, and at the stadium box office on race night.
