Round 6 of the British Cycling Cycle Speedway Elite League gets underway this weekend and it’s make or break for two teams especially.
Ipswich and Coventry must win to keep their title hopes alive.
They face each other at the Whitton Raceway in Ipswich and, if their round one encounter is anything to go by, it should be a good match. Ipswich got off to a poor start back in April but rallied in the second half, only to be held out by Coventry.
The Eagles then took wins at home to Wednesfield and away at Horspath before slipping up away to Poole in round five, two weeks ago.
Coventry, on the other hand, started well with two wins in the opening two rounds but a tough trip to Wednesfield in round three and defeat at home to Horspath in round four has stalled their progress, after setting the pace early on.
For this Sunday’s clash the Eagles will no doubt be at full strength, led by the powerful duo of Cody Chadwick and Josh Brooke.
Coventry has rued the departure of Bobby McMillan to his native Australia but will have hopes of being able to hold the Eagles at bay with their arsenal of top Northern League riders.
Horspath welcome Poole to the Village for their round six encounter.
Round one was postponed due to unfit surroundings around the Poole track to accommodate the sizeable crowds they attract for Elite League matches.
The round one fixture is rearranged for September, which means both the Hammers and Comets have a match in hand on the other three teams.
League table
| P | W | D | L | PD | TOTAL | |
| Horspath | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 4 |
| Wednesfield | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Ipswich | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -8 | 4 |
| Coventry | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -14 | 4 |
| Poole | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 84 | 2 |
The Oxfordshire side currently sit top with two wins and one loss, while Poole have two losses and one win.
Horspath put out a strong team, which included World Champion Bartek Grabowski, against Wednesfield to end up at the top of the table on points difference at the half way stage.
The Horspath team to face Poole could be a more domestic affair however, aside from the ever present Lukas Nowacki.
Poole on the other hand will miss Australian Ty Geertsen, who ended his 6 week stint in the UK and flew home last week.
The team may have to rely on their able home grown talent, following question marks over the availability of captain Greg Gluchowski.
Fellow Pole and 2016 Laurels champion, Matiej Ganczarek, will be expected to lead the Poole charge.
Wednesfield Aces sit out round six, but are keeping their wheels turning in a challenge against Birmingham.
Some questions will be answered at the end of the sixth round.
It’s all to race for…
