BELLE VUE 57 FOXES 33

NORTHAMPTON had no answer to runaway league leaders Belle Vue as they were comfortably beaten 57-33 in Manchester on Monday.

After nine closely contested fixtures in a row, the Foxes headed to the National Speedway Stadium with the positive mindset that they could cause the Aces some problems.

But the hosts got off to a blistering start - and the Foxes found themselves trailing 27-9 after just six heats with Niels-Kristian Iversen their only early race winner.

Belle Vue, who have won all of their league fixtures around their home circuit this term, were once again in ruthless mood and extended their lead to 20 points by the time Northampton captain Nicolai Klindt won Heat 9.

The hosts then registered another 5-1 to move 42-18 ahead before a couple of the Foxes found some better form in the second half.

Former Belle Vue heat-leader Jaimon Lidsey won successive races before Klindt added a second of the night on borrowed equipment from Iversen following a snapped frame.

The hosts did hit one more 5-1 in Heat 14 before Lidsey claimed a third race win of the night in the finale whiskey Klindt was passed by in-form home man Zach Cook.

Foxes team manager Chris Adams said: “We were struggling all night really to be fair.

“It was a little bit embarrassing to be honest.

“We know we’re a better team than that and so far our results have been okay.

“We’ve just got to put this one to bed and go again.”

Northampton now get set for back-to-back home outings starting against Sheffield next Monday (July 20, 7.30pm).

BELLE VUE 57: Zach Cook 13+2, Brady Kurtz 12, Ben Cook 10+1, Will Cairns 9+2, Norick Blodorn 8+4, Tate Zischke 5+1, Jason Doyle r/r.
NORTHAMPTON 33: Jaimon Lidsey 11, Nicolai Klindt 8, Niels-Kristian Iversen 7, Troy Batchelor 3, Luke Harrison 2, Matej Zagar 1+1, Kye Thomson 1.

Photo credit: IAN CHARLES