LEICESTER boss Stewart Dickson says the “better team won” in the challenging conditions at Belle Vue.
The ATPI Aces battled for their first league points of the season, leaving with a 51-33 round one victory over Leicester Lions in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.
Persistent rain left riders with difficult conditions, even having to remove goggles mid-race, and meant the meet was called one race early.
Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “Conditions were a leveller to begin with, and in fairness to Leicester, we won the toss and had the inside gates, and as the rain came down, the outside gates became more favourable to getting to the dirt-line.
“I’m really chuffed, it’s points in the bag and that’s what you want when it comes to the league championship.
“I think the morale in this team is upbeat, there’s a long way to go, but we’re feeling quite happy so far.”
Aces captain, Brady Kurtz scored a four-ride paid maximum of 11+1, and both he and Dan Bewley managed fast times in opening heats when conditions remained grippy.
Dan Bewley won his first three rides before missing out with a fourth place in Heat 13, and Norick Blodorn contributed 9+1 to the team’s victory.
The Lions had three race wins, with Ryan Douglas picking up four second places to top score with eight points.
Lions boss Dickson added: “Conditions were the same for both teams, and Belle Vue rolled up their sleeves in mid-meeting and got on with it.
“It’s disappointing because I thought it looked a good fixture on paper, but the better team won.
“We weren’t making starts, and unfortunately, we got a heavy defeat.
“The home team managed to adapt to conditions a bit better than what we did.”
The ATPI Aces hope to continue this winning form at King’s Lynn this Thursday and then host a return leg with the Stars in Manchester on Monday.
The Lions will be looking to bounce back when they host Sheffield Tigers on Thursday.
Words by Freya Taylor.
Images by Taylor Lanning.