BELLE VUE boss Mark Lemon admitted the big defeat at Leicester was “a bitter pill to swallow”.
The ATPI Aces suffered a shock 60-30 loss in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the Hydroscand Arena.
Already without captain Brady Kurtz, Lemon’s side failed to adapt to tricky conditions early in the contest.
Then No.1 Dan Bewley crashed out in Heat 13 after his bike violently reared up exiting the second bend. Thankfully the Cumbrian limped away from the incident.
Lemon said: “Dan’s back in the pits, he’s a bit battered and bruised. But I don’t think anything more serious. A bit of gravel rash and banged up a bit.
“A frightening moment really. Especially when you’re out in front. It was uncharacteristic really.
“It was typical we were on a heat advantage for the first time all night. I guess that really sums up our disappointing night.
“The gate draw didn’t help us early, gate four was a bit of a graveyard. The track was wet because of the dry conditions.
“But at the end of the day, Leicester are riding really well. In recent weeks they’ve got themselves really dialled in. I don’t want to take too much away from them.
“I was impressed with the guys the way they worked behind the scenes. They didn’t stop trying but they just weren’t getting the performance on the track. It’s a hard pill to swallow.
“We are going to have to really put on an amazing performance when they come to the National Speedway Stadium. It’s just a tough night in the office.
“We miss Brady (Kurtz), he’s a great leader. We are lacking a bit at the bottom. We put this one to bed and focus on Monday.”
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2
LEICESTER 60: Max Fricke 15, Ryan Douglas 14+3, Kyle Howarth 11+2, Sam Masters 11+1, Drew Kemp 6, Joe Thompson 3+2.
BELLE VUE 30: Dan Bewley 10+1, Zaimon Lidsey 7, Norick Blodorn 6, Zach Cook 4+1, Jake Mulford 2+1, Tate Zischke 1+1.