HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Charles Wright, Richie Worrall and Danny Ayres celebrate their podium finish and qualification for next month's British Final following Friday's semi-final at Redcar. Picture: COLIN POOLE
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "We're happy with the result, we can't not be after such a close meeting. We knew we had to do everything we could to pull things back, so we persevered and got the result we wanted in the end." Danish star Kenneth Bjerre summed up the mood in the Aces' camp after a hard-fought win over Ipswich in Monday's exciting televised fixture. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Thur June 13 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Mon June 17 (7.30)
IPSWICH "David rode really well tonight and it was a track we expected him to go well on. He needs to perform like that on Thursday and be a bit more consistent, but he was great tonight." Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins was encouraged by a good showing from French star David Bellego in Monday's narrow defeat at Belle Vue from which the Suffolk side took a league point. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Thur June 6 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn, Mon June 17 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "Winning our home meetings is going to be vital to how our season goes and we will keep soldiering on. I don't want to get carried away with it because it's a long old season but we've started off on the right foot." Stars boss Peter Schroeck believes things are heading in the right direction following a 52-38 win over Wolverhampton which included an impressive debut from Craig Cook. NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Mon June 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Thur June 6 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH "We probably should have wrapped it up sooner, but I went with my most experienced riders in Heat 15, obviously Hans with the way he's been going, and really it was perfect because Scott did a job for a couple of laps which allowed Hans to get away." Panthers boss Carl Johnson explains the tactics for Heat 15 as his side grabbed a sensational away victory at Poole with experienced duo Hans Andersen and Scott Nicholls getting them over the line. NEXT HOME: Swindon, Thur June 20 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur June 6 (7.30)
POOLE The Pirates experienced the frustration of a home defeat at the hands of Peterborough last Thursday, going down 43-47 without three of their regular riders due to injury and Danish Final commitments. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn (PSC), Thur June 13 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon June 24 (7.30)
SWINDON "The potential is still there with Zach so it's a disappointment, but I caught up with him last week and I totally understand his decision with how he put it across to me." Robins boss Alun Rossiter reacts to the news that reserve Zach Wajtknecht is taking a break from the sport, with the club now in the market for a replacement. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Thur June 6 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur June 13 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "We had too many last places in this meeting and that's the bottom line. We battled hard against a very strong King's Lynn team though and we were quite unlucky to arrive on Craig Cook's debut day because he was sensational for them." Boss Peter Adams felt his side had been in the wrong place at the wrong time as they went down to a 38-52 defeat at King's Lynn on Monday. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Mon June 10 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole, Mon June 17 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES...
BERWICK "They really upped their game from the Shield match here where we truly dominated them, and maybe this was partly due to the hurt they suffered that night. Either way they did more than what they needed to and caught us out too many times." Bandits boss Gary Flint was disappointed to be unable to repeat an early-season win at Newcastle, as the Diamonds put his side out of the KO Cup last weekend. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Sat June 15 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri July 5 (7.30)
BIRMINGHAM "He was a really reliable member of Newcastle's team last season and he's been hitting some good form on the continent as well, including a ten-point score in Sweden on Thursday night where he got the better of Grand Prix star Antonio Lindback in the process." Brummies boss Laurence Rogers is delighted to bring Finnish star Tero Aarnio to Perry Barr, with the club signing him and releasing Ulrich Ostergaard in the process. NEXT HOME: Sheffield, Wed June 5 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Wed July 10 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE "Glasgow with Craig Cook are one of the league's biggest attractions. This semi-final will give us the opportunity to avenge the double defeat we had against the Tigers last month." Eagles director Ian Jordan is relishing the club's Championship Shield draw which sees them go up against Glasgow in the last four of the competiton. NEXT HOME: Newcastle, Sat June 8 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri June 14 (7.30)
EDINBURGH "It's going to be fun, I feel fine. I've been doing good in meetings so far so it will help me to ride some more meetings. I feel I am going to have a good season." Swedish rider Victor Palovaara is re-joining the Monarchs to help them through a current injury crisis, with both Justin Sedgmen and Josh Pickering currently on the sidelines. NEXT HOME: Scottish Open, Fri June 7 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sat June 8 (7.30)
GLASGOW "For a relatively small club like Glasgow to host this event is truly remarkable and provides what is potentially a once-in-a-generation chance to see some of the world's best begin their journey to global stardom." Glasgow co-owner Peter Facenna is delighted to bring several top stars of the sport to Ashfield on Saturday for the club's first-ever Grand Prix Qualifier. NEXT HOME: Grand Prix Qualifier, Sat June 8 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe, Fri June 7 (7.30)
LEICESTER "Everyone has gone up again for this month with the exception of Ryan Douglas who is down slightly, so it's all positive and we're looking forward to the weekend." Lions boss Stewart Dickson is seeing almost all of his side display gains on their averages after a hugely encouraging opening phase of the season. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh, Sat June 8 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Sun June 9 (5.30)
NEWCASTLE "The Diamonds wanted this so badly and fought hard to get a really well deserved win, and our guest David Wallinger should have had more points to his name as he rode so well. Max Clegg has come into his own now and proved why we wanted to sign him when others didn't." Diamonds boss George English feels things are coming together for his side after an impressive KO Cup aggregate victory over Berwick last weekend. NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Sun June 16 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne, Sat June 8 (7.30)
REDCAR "With Ben's ongoing issues, it has been decided that we have little choice other than to seek a replacement. Out of respect for Ben and his privacy, I cannot reveal any more details on the matter, but would like to make it clear that is with genuine regret that we have had to release him." Bears co-promoter Jitendra Duffill explains the club's decision to part company with captain Ben Barker, with a replacement set to be signed in the coming days. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Fri June 14 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri June 21 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE "When I get back in the van and the adrenalin stops pumping, I will be able to look back at the meeting and be positive about what I did, and that I rode well and scored nine points. I'm starting to build up my confidence in this league and believe that I belong in it." Scorpions' early-season signing Danny Ayres earned a call-up for Heat 15 in the narrow defeat at Sheffield last Sunday. NEXT HOME: Glasgow, Fri June 7 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun June 16 (6.30)
SOMERSET "I am receiving ongoing treatment and whilst it is too early to say for certain when I will be able to be back racing, I really hope it won't be too far off." Rebels reserve Henry Atkins is targeting his track return after suffering a shoulder injury in the recent home win over Eastbourne. NEXT HOME: Plymouth (Challenge), Wed June 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow, Fri June 21 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD "We had a chat at the interval and said we needed to knuckle down in those last five heats. We didn't straightaway and left it until the last three to do something. We certainly need to have a chat because we don't want to keep doing this at home." Tigers star Danny King warned that the Owlerton side need to do the job for 15 races, after coming through against Scunthorpe by a single point with a late comeback victory on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Sat June 8 (5.30) NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, Wed June 5 (7.30)
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES...
BELLE VUE "It does strengthen our position in the table but there's still a long way to go yet. The boys are starting to click and the atmosphere in the pits is brilliant. We're delighted with how they rode." Colts co-boss Graham Goodwin is keeping feet on the ground after a terrific away win for his side at Cradley on Monday. NEXT HOME: Mildenhall, Mon June 10 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Kent (KOC), Mon June 24 (6.30)
CRADLEY "It was a very hard night, and we threw a lot of points away. I feel like we should have definitely got a win, but we all need to stop throwing those points away." Heathens skipper Max Clegg says his side need to cut out the errors after they dropped to a 42-48 home defeat at the hands of Belle Vue on Monday. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Mon June 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun June 9 (3pm)
ISLE OF WIGHT "It was all last minute.com but I've got to praise up the whole of the Warriors squad especially Chad Wirtzfeld and his Dad Dave for getting a bike ready for Georgie. The other riders and mechanics all mucked in to get things sorted and to see Georgie go and win Heat 1 like nothing had happened was quite remarkable." Warriors chief Barry Bishop praised the team ethic in the camp as No.1 Georgie Wood made a late dash to the stadium for last Thursday's clash with Kent after being held up earlier in the day. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Tues July 11 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sat June 15 (7.30)
KENT "It was our intention to hit them hard from the start so there was no danger of the Warriors getting a foothold in the match. We'd seen what had happened on Thursday and this time it was our fast start which set us on the way and we never looked back." Kings boss Chris Hunt said his side had executed their game-plan to perfection in clinching the National Trophy with victory over the Isle of Wight on Monday. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Mon June 10 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue (KOC), Thur June 20 (7.30)
LEICESTER "Obviously it was really unfortunate that Ellis (Perks) got injured in Heat 1, and in these conditions riders could easily have been keen not to take extra rides. But every rider did what we needed, it was a great performance and in the circumstances to prevent Stoke from taking a point was outstanding." Cubs co-boss Dave Howard was delighted with his five-man team for overcoming Stoke 50-40 in the rain at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena last Sunday. NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, Sat June 15 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Kent, Mon June 10 (6.30)
MILDENHALL The Fen Tigers return this weekend after a near-fortnight's break as they face fierce rivals Cradley at West Row "“ having lost out in a last-heat decider to the Heathens earlier in the season. NEXT HOME: Cradley, Sun June 9 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon June 10 (7.30)
PLYMOUTH The Devils return to action this weekend in the Knockout Cup against Stoke having postponed last Friday's home clash with Cradley due to ongoing track work at the Coliseum in a bid to limit dust. NEXT HOME: Stoke (KOC), Fri June 8 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Stoke (KOC), Sat June 8 (7pm)
STOKE "He recorded the fastest times of the day, he is a young English rider and we always like to use him when we can here at Stoke as we always get on with him. Anders wants to guest for us when he's available and hopefully the supporters enjoy seeing him race." Potters boss Adam Isherwood had high praise for guest Anders Rowe after his 17-point showing as he stood in for Tom Perry at Leicester on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Plymouth (KOC), Sat June 8 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth (KOC), Fri June 8 (7.15)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Sheffield 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 6: PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Peterborough 7.30, Swindon v King's Lynn 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 7: CHAMPIONSHIP: Scunthorpe v Glasgow 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 1st leg: Plymouth v Stoke 7.15 SCOTTISH OPEN: Edinburgh 7.30
SATURDAY JUNE 8: CHAMPIONSHIP: Eastbourne v Newcastle 7.30, Leicester v Edinburgh 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Stoke v Plymouth 7pm GRAND PRIX QUALIFIER: Glasgow 7pm
SUNDAY JUNE 9: CHAMPIONSHIP: Sheffield v Leicester 5.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Cradley 3pm
MONDAY JUNE 10: PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Mildenhall 7.30, Kent v Leicester 6.30
TUESDAY JUNE 11: NATIONAL LEAGUE: Isle of Wight v Plymouth 7pm
WEDNESDAY JUNE 12: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Leicester 7.30 CHALLENGE: Somerset v Plymouth 7.30
THURSDAY JUNE 13: PREMIERSHIP: Belle Vue v Peterborough 7.30, Ipswich v Swindon 7.30 PREMIERSHIP SUPPORTERS' CUP: Poole v King's Lynn 7.30
FRIDAY JUNE 14: CHAMPIONSHIP: Redcar v Eastbourne 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Leicester 7.15
SATURDAY JUNE 15: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Edinburgh 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE: Leicester v Isle of Wight 7.30
SUNDAY JUNE 16: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Scunthorpe 6.30 BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow 3pm
MONDAY JUNE 17: PREMIERSHIP: King's Lynn v Ipswich 7.30, Poole v Wolverhampton 7.30, Swindon v Belle Vue 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Cradley v Leicester 7.30, Kent v Plymouth 6.30
WEDNESDAY JUNE 19: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Newcastle 7.30, Somerset v Leicester 7.30
