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Heavy schedule as Aces stars chase top trophies

5/ 9/2008

BELLE Vue riders are battling to end the season with a rush of individual honours.

But they are linked by the common cause of keeping the One51 Aces clear of the Elite League relegation play-offs in an injury-ravaged campaign.

They have two home matches left against teams deeply involved in the relegation shake-up, and victories would go a long way to keeping them clear of trouble.

They face Wolverhampton at Kirkmanshulme Lane next Monday (7.45pm), but the match against Coventry, rained off after four heats on Monday, has still to be rearranged.

Aces ride their remaining away match at Lakeside next Wednesday.

The domestic fixtures are laced with a variety of other challenges for the Belle Vue riders.

Joe Screen, who is also captain of Swedish Allsvenskan League club Vargarna, rides for them against Ornarna of Mariestad in promotion play-off semi-finals today and tomorrow.

Aces will be without Billy Forsberg against Wolverhampton next Monday, as he is riding in the rearranged Swedish Under 21 Final at Avesta and will start as one of the favourites.

Then, a week on Saturday, double world champion Jason Crump, pictured, continues his late charge to catch championship leader Nicki Pedersen in the Polish Grand Prix at Bydgoczsz.

A day later, also in Poland, Aces' captain Charlie Gjedde bids to qualify for the 2009 Grand Prix. He will aim for a place in the top three in the challenge round of this year's qualifying competition at the Zielona Gora track.

Belle Vue youngsters Forsberg (Sweden), Patrick Hougaard (Denmark) and Robert Ksiezak (Australia) become rivals in the World Under 21 Team Cup final at Holsted, Denmark,on 21 September.

Hougaard also rides in the World Individual Under 21 final at Pardubice in the Czech Republic on 4 October.

Aces' team boss Chris Morton, who will bring in a guest replacement for Forsberg on Monday, said: "I feel that Billy's form has improved steadily throughout the season.

"He had problems with the clutches on his new bikes at the start, and one or two injuries slowed him up because he had to get going again when returning to action after an enforced break.

"But when he's good, he's very good, and he has shown he can give anyone a run for their money when things are going well for him."

Tickets are now available for Aces' end of season dinner dance on Friday 17 October at Manchester City's stadium.

They cost £32.50, the increase from last year being the extra cost of the meal.

Tickets can be booked at Aces' office on Monday when Rider of the Year voting forms will also be available.