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Aces sign Danish rider to become a stinger

4/ 7/2008

BELLE Vue Aces have signed top Danish teenager Patrick Hougaard in a bid to put a sting in the tail of their team.

The 19-year-old will replace fellow Dane Jonas Raun at Peterborough tonight.

Hougaard, who has a win over Belle Vue superstar Jason Crump to his credit this season, was nominated as one of the reserves for last month’s Danish Grand Prix in Copenhagen.

The One51 Aces struck swiftly to sign Hougaard who only became available to ride in Britain this week when he left college.

Gordon Pairman, who is also a member of the Glasgow promotion, had been tipped off by Scottish supporter Alun Biggart who acts as a scout for the Tigers.

Pairman said: "Patrick was one of several riders our team manager Chris Morton had spoken to, and Alun rang me to say he was sold on coming to Belle Vue.

"He said the boy is hot at the moment and was keen to come to us so he could ride in the same side as Jason Crump, pictured, and Charlie Gjedde.

"Alun lives in Denmark and knows the scene over there intimately.

"He speaks very highly of Patrick and said he was very happy to be told that Jason and Charlie would help him."

Hougaard has been riding for Unia Tarnow in Poland with whom he landed the prize scalp of his new team-mate Crump.

He arrives on a four-point average which, under the new official averages for July, leaves the Aces with a little scope for a further change.

Hougaard said: "I have finished at school now and have given myself two years to achieve my amition of becoming a full-time professional rider.

"I want to see how I progress in that period, but I have been improving every year, and getting the chance to ride for Belle Vue will be a great experience for me.

"I can learn from riders like Jason Crump and Charlie Gjedde.

"The fact those two great riders are at Belle Vue is part of the reason for my decision."

Aces had talks with German champion Martin Smolinski but were unable to make progress.

The busy Aces, who beat Peterborough 52-41 at home on Monday, go to Lakeside tomorrow before Monday’s home Elite League date with Coventry (7 30pm).

They have a doubt over Nick Simmons who injured his ribs in a crash at Eastbourne on Sunday, but he is expected to be fit.