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 Kenneth Bjerre
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Here is one young fellow that can, without question, be described the nearest thing to an overnight sensation. The 20 year-old has a bag full of confidence and that star quality all around him, there’s no doubt about it, and is destined to succeed the likes of the current-day big names in the not too distant future.
Bjerre didn't ride a full-size 500cc machine until 2000, coming through on 50cc and then 80cc bikes. In 1999 he became the Nordic Champion again in the 80cc class and made his debut in the 500cc class.
The following year he was crowned Danish Junior Champion, signing his first professional contracts with Club Motala (in Sweden) and club Herning in his homeland........ |
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Tomasz Jedrzejak |
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Belle Vue aren’t shy of giving somebody another chance, and this year it’s the turn of Tomasz Jedrzejak, the 24 year-old that showed plenty of promise and effort, but not enough in terms of points during his last stint with the club.
Since then he has matured courtesy of a fine season in his native land last year, so much so that he’s been a man in demand over the winter.
It is pressure and demands that Jedrzejak will have to get used to… and quick. For his diary shows he’ll be racing over 60 meetings across Europe over the next six months excluding his world championship involvement and other additional dates.
He arrived in England during the 2001 campaign, coupled with compatriot Adam Labedzki when the ........ |
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Antonin Svab |
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For Toni Svab the 2003 campaign heralds the start a couple of fresh challenges – the first being a new British club but, more importantly, discovering if he has overcome the broken leg which has kept him out of the saddle for the past 18 months.
After a slow start for the Mancunians, his fifth British club, mainly brought about by the hiccups of engine frustrations, the prospects have livened in recent matches. His scoring input will determine whether the season is a success or failure for the Aces.
The 29 year-old is from fine breeding stock, his father Antonin senior was 1970 Ice Champion, and Svab junior has tasted team success before when, in 1998, he was an integral part of the Ipswich treble-winning ......... |
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Rory Schlein |
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Belle Vue supporters knew little of Rory before his first doubling up races for the side last summer, but soon took him to their hearts after seeing him battling for points in the Aces cause.
Aged 19, with the schoolboy looks that could prove a disadvantage if he ever tried buying cigarettes or alcohol, Schlein is of mature mind and certainly seems to have his career focused in the right direction.
He has been an Edinburgh asset the last three years, coming to prominence with Sheffield side in 2001 that took the Conference title. He also helped the senior side at Owlerton win the Premier Trophy that........ |
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Scott Robson |
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Thirty-four year-old Scott Robson has served the sport well over the years without actually grabbing the limelight. He can rightly be described an out-and-out racer.
He began racing in the mid-80s, following a well-worn path of grass-track racing leading to a career in speedway, firstly in the form of after the meeting spins around MiddlesbroughHe broke into the Berwick side when 18, in 1988, and over the ensuing six years established himself as a fine middle-order rider, making the jump with Berwick on their ill-fated one season in Division One, in 1991.
Far from shamed, recording a five point average, he returned to the Second Division a better rider and ...... |
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Andy “Foxy” Smith |
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Andy “Foxy” Smith is no stranger to Kirkmanshulme Lane as he prepares to put the Aces race jacket on for the eleventh time in his speedway career.
Born and bread in Yorkshire, Andy followed the footsteps of his father Frank by starting on the grass in 1979, before embarking on a long speedway career which started at Belle Vue in 1982, when he was just sixteen. Andy impressed enough to be included in the starting line-up for 1983 and actually remained in the Belle Vue side throughout 1984 and 1985.
Nicknamed ‘Smudger’, he returned to the Aces in 1986, but his season was cut short when he broke his right leg.
His luck didn’t change when he returned to the Aces outfit the following year, after he.......... |
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Jason Lyons |
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When you say the name “Jason Lyons,” you hear “Mr Belle Vue!”
Despite starting his British career with Glasgow, the Aussie has only ever really been associated with the Aces.
Hailing from Mildura, a country town in Victoria famous for its speedway heritage, Jason was inspired by his father Rodney, a former rider, to enter the speedway scene.
It was during an International meeting in 1990 in his Australian home town, where he was introduced to former Ace and then Glasgow rider Sean Courtney. Before he knew it, Jason had made his breakthrough into British Speedway by ......... |
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Rusty Harrison |
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His name certainly bears no reflection on his riding!
Born in Elizabeth, South Australia, Rusty Wade Harrison first got the speedway bug after watching his first meeting at the age of three at North Arm in Adelaide. Four years later, he was on his own bike racing competitively at Sidewinder Speedway.
At the age of nine, Rusty competed in the Australian Under 16 Championships, picking up the first prize twice. It was then followed by four years experience in the Under 21 contests, which he also won. Also in his list of achievements, is coming third three times in the South Australian Championships and finishing in fifth place on two occasions in the ......... |
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Tom P. Madsen |
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Tom Paarup Madsen will wear the world famous Belle Vue bib for the first time in his career and becomes the second Great Dane to join the Aces line up for 2006 alongside Kenneth Bjerre. At his best, Tom has pulled off scalps including beating Tomasz Gollob and six times World Champion Tony Rickardsson. But recent years have proved unsettling. The 28 year old from Esbjerg made his British debut seven years ago at the age of 22, just ten years after he first sat on a speedway bike for the first time. One of his biggest influences at that young age was his father, former speedway rider Eigil, who has continued to be his main source of encouragement along with Eric Gunderson.......
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Phil Morris |
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Phil makes his debut in Aces colours in 2006, joining the Manchester outfit ironically when the club he has served for most of his career steps up into the top flight.
Nicknamed the "Welsh Wizard" or "Wizzer" Phil has enjoyed a career on the track for more than a decade. His experience is what attracted Belle Vue boss Ian Thomas, as well as his commitment, dedication and hard work which have been proved throughout his racing.
Brought up in Cwmfelinfach near Newport, Phil was always the sportsman and won all the trophies during his ........ |
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Steve Masters |
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Steve Masters has lived something of a nomadic speedway life but the surprise of being asked to ride for the Aces was as much a shock to him than anyone else.
Originally from Eastbourne, Steve made his racing debut in the second division for his hometown club in 1989 appearing in 18 meetings for the Eagles and achieving an average of just over three points.
The following season saw him return to the Arlington track where he remained until 1991, despite seeing little action on the shale.
In 1992 he moved to Swindon and competed in 14 meetings in the top flight. It was at Swindon that ........ |
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Kaj Laukkanen |
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He can sometimes be sublime, occasionally ordinary, but when his mind is fully focused Kaj Laukkanen is capable of beating anyone, absolutely anyone. But alas, when he is nettled by a track, he often stays stung for the night.
Kaj recently returned to Belle Vue as the unfortunate Antonin Svab's replacement, a welcome move because Svab had struggled in many of his this year's matches for the Aces and most expected, quite right, Laukkanen's input to bring more rewards for the team.
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Ryan Fisher |
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He was once described as ‘the next Billy Hamill’ and it is fair to say that Ryan Fisher has that American flare and entertainment factor which can dazzle on a speedway track.
That is what first attracted the Coventry Bees to the teenage star five years ago, as he was fast becoming a success across the pond. But after a taste of British speedway, things turned sour for Ryan and he returned to his California home. In 2007, Fisher will return after two years out of Elite League racing, with a new found attitude and ethic to show English fans what they have been missing.
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Simon Stead |
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Hot young British speedway talent Simon Stead returns to the Aces for hs third season in 2007.
At just 24 years of age, Simon has already tasted sweet success during his early career. Another protégé of Ian Thomas, who intriduced him to the Manchester club following a spell under his charge at Workington, the Sheffield born star has been described as a real star of the future.
Stead followed his father Trevor and uncle Ian into the sport. Trevor rode for Middlesbrough in the mid-seventies while Ian rode for several northern clubs during the 1980's.
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Adam Skornicki |
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More commonly known as the ‘donut’ king for his on track trickery, Adam Skornicki is one of a number of Polish riders to add his name to the Belle Vue rider history. But his signature for 2007 perhaps came as another surprise to fans, particularly as he seemed destined to be reunited with Oxford for another season.
The 30 year old portrays a quiet, shy and reserved exterior. He saves his talking for the track where he displays a flamboyant character. He is very well respected by his colleagues and he has been a hit with speedway fans wherever he has been. |
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James Wright |
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He’s been described as the hottest British teenager in Speedway and James Wright will be following the family tyre tracks when he lines up for the Aces for a third season.
The Stockport based youngster was born with speedway in his blood, with the influence of his grandfather Jim Yacoby, an Aces rider for ten years in 1958-68.
James didn’t waste any time getting onto a bike by starting on the grass at just six years old. It wasn’t until he was fourteen though that he was introduced to his first speedway bike, trying it out at Sheffield, Buxton and Belle Vue.
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Kevin Doolan |
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Kevin Doolan arrives at Belle Vue in 2007 for the second bite of the Aces cherry. Once the teenage rookie with stars in his eyes, he soon realised the pressure of the Elite League was too great for a nineteen year old Australian on foreign shale. Since then he’s been away to have a think about it and ride the steep learning curve in British speedway. Now 26 years old, Kevin is back at Kirkmanshulme Lane with something to prove.
The unknown Kevin Doolan arrived in England eight years ago and rode straight into the depths of Elite League speedway with Belle Vue. He has since admitted that he was ‘in it over his head’ and it is fair to say that he struggled in the top flight. Failing to make the grade with the Aces was enough to send Doolan back on a flight home to Australia . |
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Antonio Lindback |
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Antonio Lindback is a real example of a rag to riches story.
Abandoned on the streets of São Paulo , Brazil as a child with a cardboard name-tag saying “My name is Antonio”, it is quite hard to believe the journey that this talented rider has been on.
After four years in an orphanage in Rio de Janiero, he was adopted by a Swedish couple and grew up two hours outside Stockholm. Unsure of his date of birth, he chose 5 th May 1985. |
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Michal Rajkowski |
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b. 17th December 1984
Skwierzyna, Poland
MICHAL Rajkowski needed no further recommendation than the one he brought with him to Belle Vue this season...... |
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