Elite League
Belle Vue Speedway: Aces sign Raun.
By Admin
May 11, 2008, 23:56

Belle Vue have signed Danish teenager, Jonas Raun, to replace their axed Polish rider, Michal Rajkowski.

Raun, 18, flew into Manchester today when the club made special arrangements for the track to be opened so he could have a practice spin.

Team manager Chris Morton supervised a gruelling session for Raun who will make his debut in Monday night's match against Elite League leaders, Swindon, at Kirkmanshulme Lane (7 30).

Raun, who rode at Peterborough in 2006 and Newcastle last season, was a target for leading title contenders Eastbourne at the start of the season but their efforts at the time were unsuccessful.

Morton said: "We've had talks with him and now he's very keen to come over to resume his career in this country.

"He had a handy average of 5.50 over 32 matches at Newcastle. It was a good figure for a first year at Premier League level and it is a figure which means we can fit him into our team.

"Jonas is considered a real talent back in Denmark and he is very keen to ride for us."

Raun said: "This is a very big chance for me and I mean to take it. I was very happy to accept when Belle Vue phoned me last week.

"I was having a good season at Newcastle last year until I crashed in September. I was nervous when I went to practise but Belle Vue have given me a bike to use that suits me.

"I was very tired afterwards but it is very exciting for me to come to a club like this."

New British Under 21 champion Tai Woffinden guests for the One51 Aces against Swindon in place of the injured Billy Forsberg and will partner Jason Crump.

They will operate the rider replacement rule for injured Lukasz Jankowski and Robert Ksiezak continues to deputise for Steve Boxall.

BELLE VUE:
J Crump, T Woffinden, C Gjedde, L Jankowski (rider replacement), J Screen, R Ksiezak, J Raun.

SWINDON:
L Adams, J Wright, M Korneliussen, T McGowan, T Batchelor, C Gathercole, S Alden.