SGB PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE – “We only lost by a slight margin so I see no reason to reach for the panic button.” Craig Cook described as a “blip” Monday’s shock 46-44 loss at home to Somerset.
NEXT HOME: Swindon, Premiership, Fri May 19 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Premiership, Fri June 2 (7.30)
KING’S LYNN – “I know it may sound like sour grapes but it is something that needs looking at going forward.” Boss Dale Allitt was irate over not having a facility for Kai Huckenbeck in the 59-30 thrashing at Wolverhampton.
NEXT HOME: Leicester, Premiership, Weds May 10 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Premiership, Thurs May 18 (7.30)
LEICESTER - “It was great to prove to this team and the management that they haven’t made a mistake in calling me.” Danny Ayres felt like he had “arrived” in the Premiership after roaring to 11-paid-13 at Rye House.
NEXT HOME: Cradley, Ivor Brown Trophy, Sat May 6 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, Premiership, Weds May 10 (7.30)
POOLE – “We shouldn't be putting ourselves in that position. Speedway is about 15 heats and we need to be competitive in all of them." Promoter Matt Ford was far from happy as Pirates paid the price for an early 14-point deficit in the 47-45 home defeat to Swindon.
NEXT HOME: Rye House, Premiership, Weds May 10 (7.30).
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Mon May 29 (7.30)
RYE HOUSE – “I went out in my first race and the track was perfect. Straight afterwards, it rained quite a bit and the track went rather soggy.” Ricky Wells made light of the unpredictable Bank Holiday weather to score 12 in the 54-36 win over Leicester.
NEXT HOME: Coventry, challenge, Sat May 6 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Poole, Premiership, Weds May 10 (7.30)
SOMERSET - “I knew he was too good a rider to not turn things around.” Boss Garry May lauded Rohan Tungate’s decisive 13-point haul following the 46-44 win at Belle Vue.
NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Fri May 5 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Premiership, Mon May 8 (7.30)
SWINDON - “This has been a bit of a ghost town for us over the years so to get some points off them was pretty good.” Boss Alun Rossiter was a happy man after the Robins won at Poole for the first time since 2009.
NEXT HOME: Sprockets v Plymouth, National Trophy, Thurs May 11 (7.30), King’s Lynn, Premiership, Thurs May 18 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Premiership, Fri May 19 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON – "I've done plenty of laps around the track over the years so I didn't think it would take me too long to settle down.” Rory Schlein has slotted in seamlessly at Wolves and scored 11-paid-12 in Monday’s 59-30 thrashing of King’s Lynn.
NEXT HOME: Somerset, Premiership, Mon May 8 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Somerset, SGB Premiership, Fri May 5 (7.30)
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES…
BERWICK – “It might not happen overnight but they will do a good job and it will happen.” New number one Nick Morris says his Bandits bosses are working tirelessly to halt their eight-match losing streak.
NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Championship, Sat May 20 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Championship, Thurs May 4 (7.30)
EDINBURGH - “I didn’t think we were making bad starts but Kyle (Howarth) and Richard (Lawson) were just making better ones!” Sam Masters praised the opposition after the Monarchs were forced to fight back from 10 points down to win 47-43 in the Knockout Cup first leg against Sheffield.
NEXT HOME: Workington, Championship, Fri May 5 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Championship, Sun May 7 (7pm)
GLASGOW – "It was good to get a win over Sam (Masters). Last year I looked up to him a lot and I still do." Dan Bewley turned the tables on his old mentor with a 15-point maximum for Tigers in a 57-34 beating of his former club Edinburgh.
NEXT HOME: Redcar, Championship, Sat May 13 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs May 4 (7.30)
IPSWICH - “As much as I have hated it, I have been very patient and careful. Now I feel more than capable of getting back on a bike and being able to give my all.” Returning rider Kyle Newman revealed he did not make a good patient during his injury lay-off.
NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Championship, Thurs May 4 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs May 18 (7.30)
NEWCASTLE – “I landed 7:20 at Stansted from Germany. Mum picked me up but she couldn't get to the airport due to the breakdown of my car. I got the bus and got it fixed. After 15 minutes we broke down again. My mechanic loaded the van and left to pick me up from Stansted to then leave straight to Newcastle but he was in traffic and arrived when the RAC did at 2 o’clock.” Luckless Diamond Robert Lambert explains his late withdrawal from the British semi-final.
NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Championship, Sun May 14 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Championship, Sat May 13 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH – “I don’t mind admitting some of his performances have taken me by surprise.” Boss Carl Johnson is happy with Bradley Wilson-Dean’s early-season form.
NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Championship, Sun May 7 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Championship, Sat May 20 (7.30)
REDCAR - “He has been playing catch up but is now doing the job we signed him for.” Promoter Kevin Keay on the progress of the returning Coty Garcia.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Thurs May 4 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Championship, Thurs May 11 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE – “Stefan Nielsen made a big difference to us. It’s good having someone in there at reserve who can score a lot of points.” Michael Palm Toft hails Scorpions newcomer Nielsen for his 10-paid-12 return in the 56-34 win over Berwick on Sunday.
NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Championship. Sun May 14 (5.30)
NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Championship, Thurs May 11 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD – “Everybody played their part tonight and it was a really good result for us.” Damien Bates was happy to see patched-up Tigers leave Edinburgh with just a four-point deficit in the Knockout Cup first leg.
NEXT HOME: British semi-final, Thurs May 4 (7.30), Redcar, Championship, Thurs May 11 (7.30).
NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Championship. Sun May 14 (5.30)
WORKINGTON – “Yet again, the odd little mistake and a bit of bad luck proved costly for us in the end.” Boss Tony Jackson was left frustrated as Redcar held the Comets to a 45-45 draw at Derwent Park.
NEXT HOME: Berwick, Championship, Sat May 14 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Championship, Fri May 5 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES…
BELLE VUE COLTS - “It was a manager’s dream, not only the result but the performance of all the riders.” Team boss Steve Williams was left purring after the Colts had walloped Mildenhall 65-25.
NEXT HOME: Lakeside, National League, Weds May 10 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Lakeside, National League, Fri May 5 (8pm)
BIRMINGHAM – "I think it’s fair to say he’s facing a lengthy spell off the bike.” Boss Graham Drury on the lay-off Danyon Hume is facing following his triple arm break in the British Under-21 Final.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, National League, Weds May 10 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Stoke, National League, Sat May 6 (7pm)
BUXTON – “For the visitors, captain Tom Woolley will never graft more manfully for just six points – he deserved more.” Kent’s media correspondent gave credit where it was due despite the Hitmen being beaten 61-29 at Sittingbourne on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue Colts, National League, Sun May 7 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, National League, Weds May 17 (7.30)
CRADLEY – "After losing a couple of fixtures recently, we'd have taken any sort of win before the meeting.” Boss Will Pottinger was content after the Heathens edged out Lakeside 48-42 at Monmore Green on Monday.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue Colts, National League, Mon May 29 (7.45 approx)
NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, National League, Fri May 5 (7.15)
EASTBOURNE – “We bounced back and I hope we have given the fans something back after that slaughtering at Midlenhall.” Team boss Connor Dugard felt the Eagles were back in credit after beating Cradley 51-36.
NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, National Trophy, Sat May 6 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: King’s Lynn, National League, Weds May 3 (7.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT – “There’s plenty more to come from the likes of James Cockle and and Ben Wilson.” Co-promoter Barry Bishop sees room for growth in the Warriors side.
NEXT HOME: Swindon Sprockets, National Trophy, Thurs May 4 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Buxton, National League, Sun May 28 (3pm)
KENT – “Large sections have been ripped up and relaid.” Co-promoter Len Silver explains how the Kings hierarchy have prioritised improving the track in recent weeks.
NEXT HOME: Invicta Pairs, Mon May 8 (6.30), King’s Lynn, National League, Mon May 15 (6.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National Trophy, Sun May 14 (3pm)
KING’S LYNN – Josh Bailey (10-paid-11 at home to Birmingham) is the only rider to register double figures for the Young Stars in two heavy defeats so far in 2017.
NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, National League, Weds May 3 (7.30)
NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, National League, Sun May 7 (3pm)
LAKESIDE - "Who knows? If it hadn't been for a few falls and little errors, it could have been even more but we'd have certainly taken a point before the meeting.” Team boss Kelvin Tatum was upbeat after the Hammers took a point at Cradley.
NEXT HOME: Belle Vue Colts, National League, Fri May 5 (8pm)
NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue Colts, National League, Weds May 10 (7.30)
MILDENHALL – “That was totally unacceptable and I expect a marked improvement at Eastbourne next Saturday.” Co-promoter James Easter pulled no punches after the 65-25 battering at Belle Vue Colts.
NEXT HOME: King’s Lynn, National League, Sun May 7 (3pm)
NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, National Trophy, Sat May 6 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH – “The feeling in my elbow started coming back on the way home so I am just going to keep moving it and I should be fit for the next meeting.” Rob Parker is hopeful of recovering from a knock in time for Friday’s clash with Cradley.
NEXT HOME: Cradley, National League, Fri May 5 (7.15)
NEXT AWAY: Swindon Sprockets, National Trophy, Thurs May 11 (7.30)
STOKE - “The reserves scored well today and that helps everyone out.” Luke Priest lauded the influence of the Potters’ lower order in the 54-35 Knockout Cup first-leg thrashing of Buxton.
NEXT HOME: Birmingham, National League, Sat May 6 (7pm)
NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, National League, Sat May 13 (7.30)
MAJOR EVENTS LATEST…
ROBERT Lambert admits it was a “huge relief” to be finally crowned British Under-21 Champion at Poole last month.
For a third successive year, the King’s Lynn and Newcastle star won all five of his programmed rides - but 2015 and 2016 had seen Lambert denied the title after being pipped to the post in the Grand Final.
However, at Wimborne Road it was to be a different story with Lambert holding his nerve to beat Adam Ellis, reigning Champion Josh Bates and Nathan Greaves as the 19-year-old secured his maiden national individual title.
Said Lambert: “I actually had a dream (the previous night) that I finished second again in the Final!
“But thankfully I stayed calm, focused and relaxed all night long, and in the Final I made a good start and it was easy out front after that.
“This is one of those stepping stones I've now finally taken to take me a step closer to where I want to get to.
“It feels great and after winning the Premiership Pairs with Chris (Holder) for King's Lynn in March it continues a great start to the season for me.”
Runner-up Ellis said: “Of course I'm a bit disappointed because this was my last shot at this specific title. But I have to look at the positives and the only rider who beat me was Robert, who was really fast all night.
“It's yet another rostrum place in this big meeting for me as well and now I need to build on this to go into the rest of the league season.”
Outgoing champion Bates added: “I am disappointed because I came here wanting to hold onto my title. But Robert fully deserved to win; he was by far the best rider on the night and fair play to him.”
*RORY Schlein defeated Richie Worrall in a run-off to win the first British Semi-Final at Newcastle last Sunday.
Both riders comfortably progressed to the Final at Belle Vue next month after scoring 13 points, and they were joined on the rostrum by home star Lewis Rose who scored 11.
Reigning champion Danny King and Jason Garrity are also safely through to the national showpiece after also scoring 11, with the final three qualifying places taken by Paul Starke (10), Steve Worrall (10) and Richard Lawson (9), the latter defeating Ben Barker in a run-off.
BRITISH SPEEDWAY MAJOR EVENTS 2017
SGBP PAIRS: KING’S LYNN
BRITISH FINAL: Belle Vue, June 19
SGBC PAIRS: Somerset, July 21
SGBC FOURS: Peterborough, August 6
SGBP RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Belle Vue, September 16
SGBC RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow, September 24
OTHER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DATES
BRITISH UNDER-21 SEMI-FINAL: JAMES SHANES
BRITISH UNDER-21 FINAL: ROBERT LAMBERT
BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL: Plymouth, July 6
BRITISH SEMI-FINALS: RORY SCHLEIN; Sheffield, May 4
NATIONAL LEAGUE RIDERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester, September 24
FIXTURE PICTURE…
WEDNESDAY MAY 3:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: King’s Lynn v Eastbourne 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 4:
BRITISH SEMI-FINAL: Sheffield 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Glasgow 7.30, Redcar v Berwick 7.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Isle of Wight v Swindon 7pm
FRIDAY MAY 5:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Somerset v Wolverhampton 7.30
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Workington 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Lakeside v Belle Vue 8pm, Plymouth v Cradley 7.15
SATURDAY MAY 6:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Birmingham 7pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Eastbourne v Mildenhall 7.30
IVOR BROWN TROPHY: Leicester v Cradley 7.30
CHALLENGE: Rye House v Coventry 7pm
SUNDAY MAY 7:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Peterborough v Edinburgh 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Belle Vue 3pm, Mildenhall v King’s Lynn 3pm
MONDAY MAY 8:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Somerset 7.30
INVICTA PAIRS: Kent 6.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 10:
SGB PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Rye House 7.30, King’s Lynn v Leicester 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Lakeside 7.30, Birmingham v King’s Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY MAY 11:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Scunthorpe 7.30, Sheffield v Redcar 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Lakeside 7pm
NATIONAL TROPHY: Swindon v Plymouth 7.30
FRIDAY MAY 12:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Birmingham 7.15
SATURDAY MAY 13:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Redcar 7pm, Peterborough v Newcastle 7.30, Workington v Berwick 7pm
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Eastbourne v Stoke 7.30
EAST MIDLANDS BOWL: Leicester v Coventry 7.30
SUNDAY MAY 14:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30, Scunthorpe v Sheffield 5.30
NATIONAL TROPHY: Mildenhall v Kent 3pm
BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Round 3: King’s Lynn
MONDAY MAY 15:
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v King’s Lynn 6.30
WEDNESDAY MAY 17:
SGB CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich v Sheffield 7.30
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Birmingham v Buxton 7.30, King’s Lynn v Kent 7.30
