HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Redcar raced to their first away Championship victory of the season whilst ending play-off chasing Sheffield's unbeaten home run at Owlerton on Sunday. The Bears run-out 48-42 winners against the Tigers. Picture: CHARLOTTE FLANIGAN
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "We just need to carry this form to our remaining away meetings. We've got a few coming up but we've got gas in the tank and everyone is pumped to make the play offs, so don't write us off yet!" Aces skipper Max Fricke banked a full 15-point maximum in the home win over Ipswich which put his side back to the top of the table. NEXT HOME: FIM World Under-21 Team Cup Final, Fri July 12 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Mon July 15 (7.30)
IPSWICH "Krystian found it really tough tonight and I don't think he is used to racing in those conditions and hasn't done so very often. He was at a disadvantage with that and it is something he will have to learn from. I am sure he will move on quickly and be fine for Thursday." Boss Ritchie Hawkins reflects on highs and lows for Krystian Pieszczek as the Pole scored 12 at Swindon and then zero at Belle Vue just five nights later! NEXT HOME: Poole, Thur July 11 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon July 15 (7.30)
KING'S LYNN "I enjoyed that. We should have won the league against them last season and it still hurts so I'm really pleased. I felt good, I was determined and really felt comfortable on the bike, I was really confident." Stars man Michael Palm Toft confirms the hurt still exists from last year's Grand Final, after the Norfolk side defeated champions Poole on Monday. NEXT HOME: Peterborough, Thur July 25 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Swindon, Thur July 11 (7.30)
PETERBOROUGH "It's something we've got to sort out "“ we've been in this position before and we've come back. These sorts of things give you a reality check and then you kick on from it." Boss Carl Johnson stresses the Panthers are determined to bounce back from last week's home defeat to Ipswich when they go back into action against Wolverhampton. NEXT HOME: Wolverhampton, Thur July 11 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Wolverhampton, Mon July 22 (7.30)
POOLE "We really have had some terrible luck with injuries this season but I'm hopeful both Nico (Covatti) and Brady (Kurtz) will be fit to return in the next week or so, which will be a massive boost." Pirates co-promoter Danny Ford admitted injuries had caught up with his side, with four regular team members missing for the heavy defeat at King's Lynn on Monday. NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Thur July 18 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Ipswich, Thur July 11 (7.30)
SWINDON "It was always a big ask going off gates 2 and 4 in the last one, and we knew if we didn't make it, just get a second place "“ but Jason Doyle went big again for us, and fair play to him." Boss Alun Rossiter praised his skipper for another sterling Heat 15 effort to secure a league point at Wolverhampton after his match-winning exploits against Ipswich last week. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn, Thur July 11 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon Aug 12 (7.30)
WOLVERHAMPTON "We've only ridden a third of our fixtures whereas a lot of the other teams have ridden half of theirs. So we've got matches in hand, now we have to build on this result and if we can win two or three matches in a row then I think this team still has what it takes to take off." Wolves boss Peter Adams hopes the win over Swindon on Monday, ending a run of six defeats, is the launch-pad for a successful summer at Monmore Green. NEXT HOME: Ipswich, Mon July 15 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough, Thur July 11 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "We were once again without Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen, we had to use rider replacement which didn't reflect to power of the man, while Leon Flint had to take time out for international duty, but our skipper Kevin (Doolan) was on fire and kept our end up from start to finish making our score way more respectable than it might have been." No joy for the Bandits as boss Gary Flint reflected on a 56-34 defeat at Scunthorpe in which Doolan and Aaron Summers scored all but eight of their total points. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Sat July 13 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Sun July 14 (4pm)
BIRMINGHAM "There are a few positives with Nick Agertoft getting his first paid win for the club while I felt the reserves with Danyon Hume back looked very strong. It's a tough one to take because it's frustrating. I felt we could have got the win but we just fell short." Brummies boss Laurence Rogers saw his side's winning run at home come to an end with defeat to Glasgow in a last-heat decider at Perry Barr. NEXT HOME: Redcar, Wed July 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Somerset, Wed July 10 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE "Edward Kennett pulled out a most fantastic ride just when we needed it. That was true captain's performance. I can't praise him enough. Just when we needed it, Edward delivered. What a captain we have." Co-promoter Trevor Geer had high praise for his captain after a sensational Heat 15 effort at Leicester last Friday to take the Eagles into the KO Cup semi-finals. NEXT HOME: Somerset, Sat July 27 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Sheffield, Sun July 14 (5.30)
EDINBURGH "The scoreline was not unexpected. Ricky (Wells) was our most competitive rider, though he was still sore from his crash at Armadale last week. He didn't feel able to take a tac sub ride in heat 6 but he did manage to take one in heat 9." A long trip south to Eastbourne with no reward for the Monarchs, as boss John Campbell reflected on an 18-point defeat at Arlington. NEXT HOME: Newcastle (KOC), Fri July 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Newcastle (KOC), Sun July 14 (6.30)
GLASGOW "We made hard work of it in the end actually. I felt we were clearly the better side and we had a slice of luck when their guest Ellis Perks had a bike break down. But we should have wrapped it up earlier than the last heat. We were in control from the halfway point and then gave away some silly points." Boss Cami Brown was relieved to emerge from Birmingham with a full four-point haul to boost their play-off prospects after coming under threat from a Brummies fightback. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Fri July 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Newcastle, Sun July 21 (6.30)
LEICESTER "I know everyone involved in the club was urging us on, and for a wee while it did look possible. It was a fabulous effort and I'd rather talk about the positives, which was to score 55 points at home when missing Josh Bates. Overall, it was just too big a task in the end." Boss Stewart Dickson saw his side go oh-so-close to an incredible KO Cup turnaround, almost overcoming a 24-point first leg deficit to Eastbourne in a home thriller last Friday. NEXT HOME: Berwick, Sun July 14 (4pm) NEXT AWAY: Berwick, Sat July 13 (7pm)
NEWCASTLE "We're pulling as a unit as we should now and getting the good results we deserve, and that tonight was without our sick No.3, Lasse Bjerre who we wish well for a speedy recovery." George English saw his Diamonds side overcome the absence of Bjerre due to illness and still record a solid home win over Scunthorpe on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Edinburgh (KOC), Sun July 14 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh (KOC), Fri July 12 (7.30)
REDCAR "The Sheffield promotion and team deserve recognition for providing what I would class as a perfect race surface and excellent opposition. The racing today was top class and it takes two teams to make a great show." Bears promoter Jitendra Duffill had praise for his hosts after a stunning away win for his side at Sheffield last Sunday. NEXT HOME: Scunthorpe, Fri July 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Birmingham, Wed July 17 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE "We knew Ben be would a decent signing, and he happily accepted taking the full complement of seven rides. He seems capable of going to each track, whatever the shape or size, and scoring around there." Scorpions boss Dave Peet is delighted with the initial form of Ben Barker since coming into the side, including a 17-point haul at Newcastle on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Leicester, Fri July 19 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri July 12 (7.30)
SOMERSET "I am not expecting near maximums every meeting, but I am looking for passion and desire to win. He showed that each time he went out on track tonight and it proves that if you put in the effort then the rewards will come." Rebels boss Garry May sends a clear message to German star Valentin Grobauer after his impressive 11+2 score in last weeks home win over Scunthorpe. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Wed July 10 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh, Fri July 19 (7.30)
SHEFFIELD "We will know more about the extent of his injuries later this week but we are struggling to cover for him. We know where the problems are and they were exploited today." Tigers boss Simon Stead admitted the absence of injured American star Broc Nicol was a key factor in last Sunday's home defeat to Redcar. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne, Sun July 14 (5.30) NEXT AWAY: Redcar, Fri July 26 (7.30)
NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "Connor has come in and has had a great start for us. If he keeps producing big performances then we have a very solid look. We are moving along in the right direction, now it's all about peaking at the right time." Colts co-boss Steve Williams is pleased with the early impact made by recent signing Connor Bailey, adding extra strength to the lower order. NEXT HOME: Isle of Wight, Mon July 22 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth, Fri July 19 (7.15)
CRADLEY "We know we need to start picking up more points if we're serious about getting in that top four. But we'll keep working hard as a team, we'll keep pushing and that's all we can do really." Heathens star Jack Smith says the team are still motivated to achieve success this season, after they missed out on any points at the Isle of Wight last week. NEXT HOME: Stoke, Mon July 29 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Kent, Mon July 15 (6.30)
ISLE OF WIGHT "The result means we continue to pick up points away from home which if we continue can only put us in good stead for a play-off spot. Last night has to be one of our most proud moments to date." Warriors chief Barry Bishop expressed his delight after a 45-45 draw at Kent on Monday which means the Smallbrook club continue to lead the way in the National League table. NEXT HOME: NICE 2v Jawa Challenge, Thur July 11 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Belle Vue, Mon July 22 (7.30)
KENT The Kings experienced mixed emotions over recent days with a 46-44 win at Plymouth boosting their league prospects, before they were held to a 45-45 draw by the Isle of Wight with former favourite Ben Morley starring on his old home track. NEXT HOME: Cradley, Mon July 15 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight (4s), Thur July 25 (7pm)
LEICESTER "I spoke to Jamie and kept him informed, as I believe in doing that with people, but it's just that we've got so many matches coming up "“ potentially with the Cup semi-final, as many as 14 over the next couple of months. If we lost the rider-replacement facility and had to bring in unattached riders at reserve that would make a huge difference, so that's why we've done this." Lion Cubs co-boss Dave Howard explains the signing of Ryan Terry-Daley, who comes into the side in place of long-term injury victim Jamie Halder. NEXT HOME: Plymouth, Tue July 23 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun July 21 (3pm)
MILDENHALL The Fen Tigers are back in league action this weekend after a lengthy break when they host manager Malcolm Vasey's former club Stoke on Sunday. NEXT HOME: Stoke, Sun July 14 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Isle of Wight (4s), Thur July 25 (7pm)
PLYMOUTH "Luke is a racer and gives it his all when he's out on track, he has experience around the Plymouth track so hopefully he'll come in and settle in nicely. He hasn't had a fair crack of the whip this season so hopefully he can find the confidence to re start his season and bring in the points." Gladiators boss Mattie Bates has moved Luke Chessell to replace Nathan Stoneman, who faces time out of the saddle after recent crashes. NEXT HOME: Stoke (KOC), Fri July 12 (7.15) NEXT AWAY: Leicester, Tue July 23 (7.30)
STOKE "There is no reason we should not go down there and beat them around their home circuit. We are all improving and things are starting to come together for us and I feel we can do a job down there." Potters star Joe Lawlor feels the team should be capable of defending an 11-point advantage when they visit Plymouth in the second leg of their KO Cup tie on Friday. NEXT HOME: National League Fours, Sat July 13 (6.30) NEXT AWAY: Plymouth (KOC), Fri July 12 (7.15
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
WEDNESDAY JULY 10: CHAMPIONSHIP: Somerset v Birmingham 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 11: PREMIERSHIP: Ipswich v Poole 7.30, Peterborough v Wolverhampton 7.30, Swindon v King's Lynn 7.30 NICE 2v JAWA CHALLENGE: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 12: WORLD UNDER-21 TEAM CUP FINAL: Belle Vue 7pm CHAMPIONSHIP: Glasgow v Birmingham 7.30, Redcar v Scunthorpe 7.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 1st leg: Edinburgh v Newcastle 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE KO CUP Q/F 2nd leg: Plymouth v Stoke 7.15
SATURDAY JULY 13: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Leicester 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE FOURS: Stoke 6.30
SUNDAY JULY 14: CHAMPIONSHIP: Leicester v Berwick 4pm, Sheffield v Eastbourne 5.30 CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP S/F 2nd leg: Newcastle v Edinburgh 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Stoke 3pm BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP: King's Lynn 2pm
MONDAY JULY 15: PREMIERSHIP: Peterborough v Belle Vue 7.30, Wolverhampton v Ipswich 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Kent v Cradley 6.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 17: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Redcar 7.30, Leicester v Edinburgh 7.30, Somerset v Berwick 7.30
THURSDAY JULY 18: PREMIERSHIP: Poole v Ipswich 7.30, Swindon v Wolverhampton 7.30 BEST PAIRS: Isle of Wight 7pm
FRIDAY JULY 19: CHAMPIONSHIP: Edinburgh v Somerset 7.30, Glasgow v Newcastle 7.30, Redcar v Birmingham 7.30, Scunthorpe v Leicester 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Plymouth v Belle Vue 7.15
SATURDAY JULY 20: CHAMPIONSHIP: Berwick v Somerset 7pm
SUNDAY JULY 21: CHAMPIONSHIP: Newcastle v Glasgow 6.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Mildenhall v Leicester 3pm
MONDAY JULY 22: PREMIERSHIP: Wolverhampton v Peterborough 7.30 NATIONAL LEAGUE: Belle Vue v Isle of Wight 7.30, Kent v Stoke 6.30
TUESDAY JULY 23: NATIONAL LEAGUE: Leicester v Plymouth 7.30
WEDNESDAY JULY 24: CHAMPIONSHIP: Birmingham v Somerset 7.30
