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GREAT Britain is guaranteed representation in the World Under-21 Final after Adam Ellis was successful in Friday’s qualifier at Pardubice.Poole and Eastbourne racer Ellis finished fourth at the Czech Republic venue, scoring twelve points with a consistent display of two race wins and three seconds.It means Ellis has booked his place in the three-round Final which starts at King’s Lynn on June 18.Three more British riders look to join him in the Final this weekend, with Robert Lambert and Max Clegg racing at Belle Vue whilst Josh Bates is at German venue Pocking.(SPEEDWAY 2)
BELLE Vue CEO David Gordon says Saturday’s World Under-21 qualifier at the National Speedway Stadium is another major milestone for the club.Several of the sport’s top youngsters will be on show, including Polish sensation Pawel Przedpelski, Poole’s Brady Kurtz and Great Britain’s Robert Lambert, who rode in the World Cup last year.Max Clegg also carries home hopes with four qualification places available for the Final, and other riders with regular British experience are Dimitri Berge, Erik Riss, Nike Lunna, Emil Grondal and Jack Holder.Gordon said: “In one of the first meetings we had with the City Council about this venue, they stipulated that it had to attract both national and international speedway events.“The FIM World U21 Qualifier on Saturday is the first of such an event which we promised to deliver once this stadium was up and running, and we are pleased and proud to be hosting it.“It’s a World class field that we will be welcoming to Manchester and for Chris (Morton) and myself it’s a milestone which shows that all our determination over the last 9 years is now coming to fruition.”
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COVENTRY collected their biggest win of the season so far with a 54-39 success against Lakeside at Brandon on Friday.The Bees swept the Hammers away with a run of five successive 5-1s after the early stages had been close, and a solid home scorechart was led by Danny King (11+2) and Krzysztof Kasprzak (11).Andreas Jonsson (12) and Lewis Kerr (11) both won three races for the visitors, but boss Kelvin Tatum had no complaints over the outcome.Coventry boss Gary Havelock said: “It was nice to have a home match where my stress levels weren’t too high, and if you get five 5-1s on the trot against any team it will finish them.“It was our best home performance so far, and we certainly needed it. We need to get into a run of winning our home matches having lost two already, but I’ve always had belief in this team and the boys are great to work with.“Our problem has been inconsistency, but we’re slowly starting to eke that back when you look through the team.”Tatum said: “We started well, but then Coventry really got going and those five 5-1s were fairly damning.“We had some frailties, which is of some concern, and in truth we weren’t at the races and Coventry gained in confidence. The track suited them, it was heavier than we expected, but that’s not an excuse and it’s something we should be able to deal with.”In the League Cup, Somerset moved to within three points of Southern group leaders Rye House with a 38-28 win over Plymouth in a meeting curtailed after eleven races.Rain caused a halt to be called with the Rebels ten points in front, with Josh Grajczonek (11) dropping just one point from four rides for the home side, whilst Jack Holder impressed with eight for the Devils.Somerset boss Garry May said: “It was a tough night out there and credit to all the lads. We needed a good win and now we know that a win by any score down at their place will be enough for us to qualify. “It was disappointing that we were unable to go the full distance - the clerk of the course and referee did their best to move the meeting through at a pace because we were mindful of the forecast. “Because of that the track began to burr up a bit and I have to admit we needed to do that extra grade. Unfortunately though, the delay for that played into the hands of the weather and really there was no other option than to abandon.”The weather was also a factor at Armadale but the challenge match between an Edinburgh Select and the Belle Vue Colts did go the distance, with the visitors edging a tight contest 45-43.Colts reserve Dan Bewley celebrated his 17th birthday with an 18-point maximum – the only ‘visiting’ rider to win a race - which indirectly was also good news for the home side as he races for the Monarchs at Premier League level.Edinburgh boss Alex Harkess said: “It was a pity it was wet but the young riders showed a lot of spirit. It should have been a draw but we have to congratulate the birthday boy for another remarkable maximum.”Belle Vue co-promoter George Carswell said: “Most if not all of the riders were caught out at some point but even despite that it was a great night overall. The boys did a great job and for us to come away with the win is a real bonus.“Dan rode that track like it should have been ridden. He attacked it and was one of only a few riders who made the move on the outside to pass people and obviously he was just brilliant.”
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WOLVERHAMPTON can re-claim top spot in the Elite League table if they can complete the double over bottom club Leicester at Beaumont Park on Saturday.The Monmore men are chasing their third away win of the season and are unchanged from Monday’s clash between the sides, with Ashley Morris continuing as reserve with Max Clegg unavailable due to World Under-21 duty.Leicester, meanwhile, give a home debut to Davey Watt having suffered the frustration of back-to-back draws on their own circuit with the concession of Heat 15 5-1s on both occasions.Lions boss Norrie Allan said: “Although our home form has improved we still have some way to go before I will be happy with our performances. “Twice in the last two matches at Beaumont Park we have let slip a lead in the very last race which resulted in King’s Lynn and Poole snatching a draw. All the hard work beforehand is virtually wasted in the final four laps of the meeting, so that is something we need to work on.”Wolves manager Peter Adams said: “It was a good win for us on Monday, but they'll be a different proposition at home on Saturday night for sure.“First and foremost we need to try and get off to a good start, then cling onto the coat tails if we can to put us in a position to catch them at the finish. "We all know gating is vital at Leicester, and although they've made some track alterations we'll need to be trapping well if we are to get the right result.”Lakeside and Coventry meet for the second time in 24 hours with the Hammers seeking revenge after their 15-point defeat at Brandon on Friday.They do boast a 100 per cent record at Purfleet this season whilst the Bees are yet to win on the road, and the visitors bring in former Lakeside man Leigh Lanham to guest for Josh Bates due to his World Under-21 commitments.Hammers boss Kelvin Tatum said: “Friday was a bad day at the office for us, and now we need a good one in the return match at home on Saturday.”Coventry manager Gary Havelock said: “I go anywhere hoping that we’re going to come away with points, and we have riders who can get around Lakeside.“I remember KK (Krzysztof Kasprzak) scoring 20 out of 21 last time he was there, and if he can produce that sort of performance again and the rest of the boys chip in we’re going to be there or thereabouts.”In the National Trophy, Stoke and Buxton complete their group schedule with the Potters looking to complete the double after an impressive away win last week.Stoke boss Malcolm Vasey said: “We will not be complacent as I’m sure that Jason Pipe will have the Buxton riders pumped up they will be looking to return the compliment with us having won at Hi-Edge last weekend. “Buxton have already won at Coventry earlier in the season and we do not want to give them a second victory on the road. The performance last week was a big improvement and we now look a lot stronger and more balanced, and I believe we can get the better of Buxton on Saturday night.”Pipe said: “We have a chance for one or two riders to redeem themselves and show us what they can really do. I'm looking for a reaction from some of my riders and come Saturday they will hopefully show me that. “Let's hope one of two of their team think it's an easy home win after Sunday's result and we'll catch them by surprise! I'm certain we'll put up a much better fight than last Sunday and the fans will hopefully witness a really good close meeting.”Meawhile Workington stage the Cumberland Pairs Championship with six pairings competing over fifteen heads, followed by a Grand Final featuring the top two.The regular Comets riders are joined by Steve Worrall, Craig Cook, Hugh Skidmore, Simon Lambert and Dan Bewley.Workington owner Laura Morgan said: “Every effort has been made to balance out the pairings in such a way that it will be competitive throughout and I must admit that I am unable to predict a winner as you can make a good case for all six of the pairings.”
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SUNDAY MAY 22:PREMIER LEAGUE: Rye House v Edinburgh 6pm, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 6.30PREMIER LEAGUE KO CUP 1st round 1st leg: Glasgow v Redcar 3pmLEAGUE CUP: Peterborough v Ipswich 5pmTRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Belle Vue 3.30
MONDAY MAY 23:ELITE LEAGUE: Poole v Belle Vue 7.30LEAGUE CUP: Newcastle v Redcar 7.30TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Coventry 7.30CRAYFORD INVICTA PAIRS: Kent 6.30