CAPTAIN KURTZ SALUTES DOYLE AFTER ACES’ TITLE TRIUMPH

Speedway GP star Brady Kurtz admits compatriot Jason Doyle proved a stellar substitute for Belle Vue teammate Dan Bewley as the Aces lifted the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership trophy.

The world number three skipper of the Manchester club led the Aces to a 100-80 aggregate triumph over Sheffield in the Grand Final last week – crowning an impressive season which has seen the Belle Vue dominate.

Kurtz praised a fine team performance from his side, and hailed Doyle’s impact as he stepped up to replace the injured Bewley, who was sidelined after breaking his femur in Denmark last May.

The Cowra-born racer said: “I think it’s been a massive effort from the whole club – from Lemo (team manager Mark Lemon) to the fans, the team, the volunteers, the track staff, everyone has put a massive effort in to get this over the line.

“I’m super happy to be a part of it with a good bunch of guys, and it’s been a great season for us, and nice to win a trophy in our own stadium.

“We definitely had a bit of luck that Doyley was available, and he walked on in and filled Dan’s shoes perfectly. He was unbelievable at the end of the year. He did just as good a job as Dan, and he was a major part of this trophy.”

While Belle Vue finished 12 points clear at the top of the Premiership table, Kurtz knew there was still a job to do in the play-offs.

He said: “It’s always tough when the play-offs come. You don’t really know what to expect, but fair play to the whole team because we really stuck together. We did the business against Ipswich home and away, and then at Sheffield was the big one for us and I’m super proud of the team’s efforts, the whole lot of them.

“Congratulations also to Sheffield for making the Final, that’s a credit for any club to get to the Grand Final and they fought their way in through the semis in the best of styles.”