BELLE VUE have mathematically secured their place in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-offs after a hard-fought 48-42 home win over King’s Lynn.
The ATPI Aces are safely ensconced in the top four prior to the end-of-season title showdowns, and their aim of securing top spot was further enhanced with their latest victory.
They are ten points clear at the top of the table at the three-quarter stage of the regular campaign, and although four of their remaining five matches are on the road, it’s a hugely strong position.
Monday’s win was one of the toughest of the season as the Aces battled to contend with the absence two regular team members against a King’s Lynn side which included plenty of expertise in Manchester – including recent Belle Vue rider Ben Cook, who enjoyed a very successful return.
The early stages made it clear this meeting would be far tighter than those of late as the Aces’ normal run of 5-1s was stifled by a stubborn visiting side.
Skipper Brady Kurtz was relegated to third place in Heat 1 as Max Fricke forced his way through on the exit of the second bend, although Norick Blodorn took an impressive race win.
The Stars levelled with a 4-2 in Heat 2 with Aces guest Jason Edwards riding a strong third turn to get inside Jody Scott, with Jordan Jenkins up front for the visitors.
Zach Cook held off a strong challenge from brother Ben to win a shared Heat 3, and the Aces moved back ahead in the next with Jason Doyle and Will Cairns gating well, although they were split off turn two by Jan Kvech.
But with Cooper Rushen gating fast in Heat 5 and Fricke rapidly making it around the outside, Cook was forced into action from the back, moving inside Rushen on lap three to prevent a visitors’ 5-1.
The Aces edged back ahead with a 4-2 in Heat 6 as Kurtz controlled proceedings from the inside, and the narrow two-point margin was maintained with Doyle taking Heat 7 ahead of Ben Cook and Chris Harris.
The first 5-1 of the night came in Heat 8 with Blodorn and Cairns getting the job done from gates 2 and 4 with Lynn hampered by Scott’s premature movement from the inside – but it did enable them to bring Fricke into Heat 9 as a tactical substitute.
That move worked well for the visitors with Fricke and Kvech combining to squeeze out Zach Cook into the first bend, and their 5-1 narrowed the Aces’ advantage back to two points.
A couple of 3-3s followed prior to the interval with Ben Cook flying from the gate in Heat 10 whilst Kurtz lost time in a battle with Harris, who he managed to overtake on the second lap.
Doyle made it three wins out of three in Heat 11 as held Fricke at bay, but with Rushen taking third place from Edwards it meant Belle Vue were nowhere near safe.
Heat 12 was shared as well as the visitors packed in behind Zach Cook, but it was Heat 13 which proved the key for the Aces as their top two combined for a superb 5-1.
Kurtz made a tremendous start from gate two to clamp Fricke, and that enabled Doyle to surge around the outside on the opening lap for a result which finally gave the home side breathing space.
Ben Cook then dominated the closing stages, but a 3-3 behind him from Zach Cook and Cairns in Heat 14 secured the win for the Aces, and the Lynn man then rode a stormer in Heat 15 to keep Kurtz at bay and also end Doyle’s maximum hopes.
Belle Vue manager Mark Lemon said: “I always knew that King’s Lynn had a pretty handy team with some World class riders who ride this place very well.
“That was proven tonight and it was a battle, no doubt about it, and it was pleasing that again we came out on top.
“We had no PK (Peter Kildemand) and no Tate (Zischke), and covering PK’s rides tonight was quite challenging, so I think that was probably why the scoreline was a bit closer.”
The Aces are on the road this Thursday for their next fixture as they visit Northampton.
BELLE VUE 48: Jason Doyle 13+1, Zach Cook 11, Brady Kurtz 9+2, Norick Blodorn 9, Will Cairns 4+2, Jason Edwards 2, Peter Kildemand r/r.
KING’S LYNN 42: Ben Cook 13, Max Fricke 11, Jan Kvech 6+1, Jordan Jenkins 5, Chris Harris 3+3, Cooper Rushen 3+1, Jody Scott 1.
Belle Vue win the aggregate point