NORICK Blödorn will get his first taste of Premiership action on Monday, March 28 when he makes his official debut for the ATPI Aces against local rivals Sheffield.
The classic ‘War of the Roses’ clash opens Belle Vue’s team events at the National Speedway Stadium for the first League Cup event of the 2022 season.
And the Tru Plant Tigers are packing some serious firepower for their first trip across the Pennines, with GP star Jack Holder and 2021 British Champion Adam Ellis the stand-out men.
Plus, former Belle Vue rider Craig Cook will face off against his former club in the No.2 spot for the visitors after making the switch from Ipswich over the winter.
It was touch-and-go as to whether 17-year-old Blödorn would make it to the UK for his ATPI Aces debut, following a protracted visa application process.
But with the paperwork now in place, the German youngster is eager to get to grips with the British Speedway scene along with his new team mates.
He said: “I’m so relieved that all of that is finally done! It was quite a nerve-wracking few week while everything was going through so I’m really pleased that it’s finally been approved.
“This will be my first meeting of the season. It’s been a few months since I last rode at Belle Vue and I was gutted to have to miss the Peter Craven Memorial.
“But this is a completely new challenge and I know there will be lots of new experiences for me in the months ahead, but I am most looking forward to visiting all the new tracks.
“I’m not very familiar with the Sheffield team but to be honest, that might be a good thing. My goal is to make a good first impression and I can’t wait to race my first heat with the Aces.”
Belle Vue take on the Sheffield Tigers in their ‘War of the Roses’ League Cup clash on Monday, March 28, tapes up at 7:30pm. Tickets and hospitality are now available at bellevue-speedway.com.
BELLE VUE V SHEFFIELD – MANCHESTER – MONDAY, MARCH 28 @ 7:30PM [SGBP LC]
Belle Vue ‘ATPI’ Aces: Max Fricke 8.81, Jye Etheridge 5.22, Jake Allen 4.80, Charles Wright 5.92, Brady Kurtz (C) 7.27, Norick Blödorn 4.00, Tom Brennan 4*; TM: Mark Lemon
Sheffield ‘Tru Plant’ Tigers: Jack Holder 8.87, Craig Cook 6.98, Tobiasz Musielak 6.21, Kyle Howarth (C) 6.19, Adam Ellis 8.12, Stefan Nielsen 3.00, Connor Mountain RS; TM: Simon Stead