The Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces have taken a commanding 12-point lead after a hard-fought 51-39 victory against the Sheffield Tru7 Group Tigers in the first leg of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership semi-final. The Aces, backed by a roaring home crowd, laid down a strong marker ahead of the decisive second leg at Sheffield’s Owlerton Stadium.
Sheffield came into the contest brimming with confidence, fresh from their Knockout Cup triumph over Ipswich. However, the Aces wasted no time in showing their intent to push for the Premiership title, holding firm in a tense battle on their home track.
The night began with a solid but cautious start for the Aces, as they eked out a small early lead with a heat advantage in Heat 1. Sheffield quickly retaliated, drawing level after five heats at 15-15, signalling a closely contested affair.
But Belle Vue, determined not to let their rivals gain the upper hand, soon found their rhythm. Key moments in the middle of the meeting, including a standout performance by FIM U23 Flat Track World Champion Jake Mulford, alongside teammate Norick Blodorn in Heat 8, saw the Aces pull ahead with a crucial 5-1 heat win.
The Aces’ momentum carried them through the final stages, and with the night’s last race upon them, Dan Bewley and Jaimon Lidsey stepped up to deliver another exhilarating 5-1 result, ensuring Belle Vue secured a valuable lead heading into Thursday’s second leg in Sheffield.
Top scorer Dan Bewley led the Aces’ charge with an impressive 12 points, closely followed by Jaimon Lidsey who added 11+2, while captain Brady Kurtz contributed a vital 9+1.
Lidsey reflected on the night’s performance, saying: “There was quite a bit of pressure, especially with riders like the Holder brothers for Sheffield, but we had confidence in our setups. Heat 15 could’ve gone either way, but we trusted ourselves and got the job done.”
Despite their strong performance, Lidsey remained cautious: “Sheffield are a tough side and they won’t be easy at Owlerton. Have we done enough to secure our place in the final? We’ll find out on Thursday, but we’ve given ourselves a fighting chance.”
The Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces now turn their attention to the second leg at Sheffield on Thursday, September 19, with live coverage on Eurosport. With a place in the Premiership final on the line, fans can expect another thrilling showdown between two fierce rivals.
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