Tigers Exceed Expectations
(Posted 22/03/09)

There were plenty of encouraging signs as the Tigers took to the track today for their opening meeting of the season  against Elite League Belle Vue Aces.  Although there was an obvious difference in standard between Elite and Premier, the Tigers took Aces to the wire at Ashfield before going down by one point.

The opening heat showed that Belle Vue were taking the meeting very seriously as their pairing of Kasprzak and Wright both made electric gates.  Wright was well gone, Doolan managed to stay close to Kasprzak for only just over a lap, the visitors going on to record a comfortable 5-1.

Mitchell Davey was the shared reserve chosen to partner Ross Brady in heat two and although both Glasgow riders gated alongside Hougaard, the young Dane pulled clear coming out of bend two.  Mitty took the inside line, passing team mate Brady to give chase and although he never gave up Hougaard held on comfortably for the win.

Both Shane Parker and Josh Grajczonek made excellent gates in heat 3 but the impressive Charlie Gjedde showed Josh just how hard Elite League racing could be, taking him very wide on the second bend, relegating him to the rear.  Shane however was well clear and went on to win the heat in impressive style.  Josh never gave up trying to get back but Gjedde and Bager were too strong.

Ostergaard and Hougaard gated in heat 4 but when Ostergaard reared on the opening bends James Grieves took full advantage to slip through the inside into second place. However, at the end of the second lap Ostergaard executed an inch perfect impressive pass outside Grieves, the Belle Vue pairing going on to win a well spread heat.

The next heat once again saw the Belle Vue pairing hit the front from the gate but Josh Grajczonek powered round the outside of James Wright on the opening bends before following it up with a breathtaking pass through the smallest of gaps between Kasprzak and the back straight fence coming out of bend two.  He powered clear and went on to win comfortably although the Belle Vue pairing kept Parker at the rear.

Again the Elite sides gating prowess paid dividends in heat 6 with Ostergaard winning from the gate although Peter Juul chased him all the way.

Some good close racing was provided in heat 7, James Grieves gating with Anders Andersen passing inside Gjedde on bend 2.  On bend four, Gjedde produced a quality move that saw him pass between Andersen on the inside and Grieves one fell swoop. Although Gjedde pulled clear, there was close racing between the remaining three riders with Anders working hard to keep Bager at bay.

With light drizzle starting to fall, Peter Juul found grip coming out of the second bend to hit the front in heat 8.  He opened up what looked like a healthy gap but Wright reeled him in and when Peter went a bit wide on the 2nd bend of the final lap Wright took full advantage, coming through the inside and going on to claim the win.  It was an impressive ride from Peter and his partner for the race, Mitchell Davey, was also looking very comfortable in the early stages and was on Wrights tail until he slid off towards the end of the second lap – a fall that was to end Mitty’s involvement in the afternoons racing.

With Glasgow now 10 points down, they took the opportunity to use a TR, bringing out Shane in the black and white helmet.  Ostergaard led from the gate although he was very hard but fair in blocking Shane on the opening bends, sending the Tigers skipper to the rear. Josh slipped into second and chased the Belle Vue man in the early stages but when it became clear that Ostergaard was well gone Josh slowed down to allow his partner to catch him up.  Shane seemed to forget he had the black and white helmet on and to think Josh had engine problems and looked to settle in behind Josh to protect him.  Fortunately it was all sorted out by the time the chequered flag came up, Josh making sure Shane crossed the line first so there was no harm done and tapping Shane’s head to remind him of the TR afterwards!

Gjedde once again won easily from the gate in heat 10 and was joined by his partner Bager but only after a rather hard pass on Doolan coming out of bend 2 lap 2.  Although hard, it looked fair but Doolan and Bager did discuss it after the race ended!

Glasgow now found themselves 12 points down so took advantage of the new rules to bring James Grieves out as a TR in heat 11, a move that instantly paid off as Grieves shot from the gate and held off James Wright for all 4 laps.  After a close start alongside Wright, Anders Andersen rode well and was never far off, beating Kasprzak comfortably.

Heat 11 had been run in increasingly persistent rain and although it was starting to clear the meeting came to a temporary halt as the riders expressed concern about greasy patches leading into the bends.  Lengthy work took place – ironically during the sunshine – with dry shale being spread on the third bend in particular and grading work before the riders were called out for heat 12.

Brady and Parker gated well, Ross hitting the front with Shane sitting in behind, Gjedde right on his tail.  However the track had not yet settled and Shane was caught out by the track on the apex of the third and fourth bend, not only nearly unseating him but nearly putting him into partner Ross Brady.  Only an excellent recovery from the Tigers captain saved the situation. Shane protected partner Ross superbly for the remainder of the race from Gjedde’s challenge and the Tigers pairing claimed a well deserved 5-1.

Ulrich Ostergaard just made the two minute allowance for heat 13 after he went out in the wrong helmet colour leading to some good natured banter between the team managers in the pits with Stewart Dickson claiming he wouldn’t make such a mistake!  The initial running of the heat was correctly called back after Grieves anticipated the start, the re-run saw him get away clearly from the opposition and win comfortably from Kasprzak with Doolan in third.  The track had quickly settled down and the race times were now getting back to nearer those early in the meeting.

After a level gate, Josh Grajczonek came out of bend two ahead and quickly opened up an unassailable lead in heat 14, winning by a considerable margin although unfortunately for the Tigers Bager and Hougaard kept Andersen at the back meaning that Glasgow went into the final heat a point down.

Josh Grajczonek got a deserved place in heat 15 alongside James Grieves but they were unable to match the gating prowess of Charlie Gjedde who recorded the win from the gate.  With the Tigers filling the minor placing's it meant Belle Vue secured the in by one point.

The Tigers can be happy with their first competitive outing of the season and to hold Belle Vue to one point, even though using tactical's, was an excellent result.  Josh stood out, claiming some impressive scalps but there were positives for all the youngsters.  Although his afternoon was cut short thanks to the fall, Mitty looked comfortable and assured on the bike.  Anders certainly rode better than his points tally would suggest and if he can carry that form into the Premier League he will do well.  Peter showed he has the speed and a nice riding style, his gating perhaps being the only downside but he was very quick and will definitely surprise a few people.  Ross was unlucky to have heat 2 called back after he had made an excellent start and to be baulked in his second ride before winning his third.  Shane and James were Shane and James, James finishing the meeting very strongly.

Obviously Belle Vue as an Elite League side were always expected to win although many expected them to win by more.  Gjedde is still a joy to watch round Ashfield, Ostergaard and Wright impressed as always at Ashfield and Hougaard looks very promising.  Kasprzak it has to be said was disappointing but his preparations for the forthcoming season are still at a very early stage

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