PREVIEW: BetGoodwin Oxford Spires entertain the champions and seek third successive victory
BETGOODWIN Oxford Spires are seeking to defeat reigning champions Belle Vue Aces in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Thursday evening (May 15) at 7.30pm.
After a difficult start to the season, Spires bounced back with double victory over Birmingham last week on May Day Bank Holiday Monday. New signing Craig Cook made an instant difference at reserve, scoring 7+1 at Oxford and then a brilliant 15-point full maximum at Birmingham.
Spires have shuffled their pack for Thursday, with Peter Kildemand moving to No 2, Rohan Tungate to No 4 and Erik Riss to No 5.
Spires’ Charles Wright will be buoyed by his performance at Belle Vue’s National Speedway Stadium on Monday, when he finished second in the British Final after a thrilling final race and qualified for the British Grand Prix weekend at the same venue on June 13 and 14.
Belle Vue won the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership last season. Aces finished third in the regular standings, and then defeated Sheffield in the play-off semi-final and Leicester in the Grand Final.
Belle Vue are the most famous team in British Speedway, with a record 12 top-flight titles. Incidentally, Oxford have won five – the latest of which was in 2001.
Team manager Peter Schroeck said: “It was great for the BetGoodwin Oxford Spires to get the two wins over Birmingham and put five points on the board in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Those points have put us right back in the picture.
“When we brought in Craig Cook, we knew he was an experienced rider and a quality signing and he would add a lot of strength at reserve. We didn’t quite expect him to score a full maximum in his first away meeting for Spires, although he also had an exceptional first away meeting for us last season, when he scored 16 points at Sheffield.
“It wasn’t just a one-man show against Brummies. We put in a solid team performance, especially in the home meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium.
“Going forwards, we can only take it one step at a time. The next two meetings for Spires are at home, to Belle Vue and Sheffield, and the bread and butter is to win your home meetings.
“We are aiming to defeat the Aces. We beat them twice around Oxford last season, and we will look to make the most out of our home track advantage.”
Tickets are already on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/
Admission is available at the early bird price of £23 for all adults, which increases to £25 on Race Day. All under-16s go free. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting. Spectators are also reminded that they will need to pay £2 if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park.
After last week’s special offer, another is being offered this week – this time to the club’s loyal season pass holders. Season pass holders will receive a free drinks voucher on their entry to the stadium. The voucher will be valid for this meeting only, and entitles them to either a free pint or soft drink.
Teams:
BetGoodwin Oxford Spires: Maciej Janowski (C), Peter Kildemand, Charles Wright, Rohan Tungate, Erik Riss, Craig Cook, Luke Killeen (RS).
Belle Vue ATPI Aces: Brady Kurtz (C), Norick Blodorn, Jaimon Lidsey, Zach Cook, Dan Bewley, Tate Zischke, Jake Mulford (RS).
PHOTO: Skipper Maciej Janowski out in front against Birmingham (pic: Steve Edmunds)