BIRMINGHAM’S wait for a win in 2025 goes on after they lost 50-40 at home to Leicester on Monday.
It was a much tighter contest than when the two sides met on opening night at Perry Barr in the Knockout Cup, but ultimately it was once again the Lions who left smiling.
The Curtis Sport Brummies got off to another sluggish start and conceded two straight maximums but Keynan Rew and guest Lewi Kerr combined for a 4-2 before bike troubles for Leicester’s Sam Masters gifted Brummies Rising Star Jason Edwards second behind Michael Jepsen Jensen as they moved back to within two of the visitors.
Captain Tobiasz Musielak and Jonas Jeppesen got a 4-2 after Lions reserve Drew Kemp was excluded in the initial staging of Heat Six – but that was a scoreline also posted by Leicester either side.
The first shared race of the night came in Heat Eight and it was quickly followed by another in the ninth with the Brummies packing in the minor places as they trailed by four.
Just as they did in Heat Six, Musielak and Jeppesen teamed up for another 4-2 in Heat Ten, but Jepsen Jensen and the disappointing Antti Vuolas conceded one straight away in Heat 11 as the visitors restored the four point cushion.
Leicester followed that up with another 4-2 and a 5-1 to effectively seal the win with two races to spare before Musielak’s tactical substitute outing in Heat 14 and then a breathtaking move in Heat 15 to deny the visitors a final 5-1.
🎥 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 | 🗣️
Frustrated @BrumSpeedway captain Tobiasz Musielak on an improved individual showing in his team’s loss to Leicester.
🅱️ 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦 4️⃣0️⃣-5️⃣0️⃣ 𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 🦁
#️⃣ #BIRLEI #britishspeedway🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/0KNbwtjZ6l
— Official British Speedway (@SpeedwayGB) April 29, 2025
Brummies boss Chris Adams felt his side did themselves no favours by getting off to an ‘awful start’.
He said: “It was an awful start in those first two heats.
“We sort of managed to claw it back a little bit in the middle but we just tailed off towards the end.
“There’s been lots of issues and obviously we’re missing Matej (Zagar – visa issues), that’s a big kick to us really.
“But no excuses, Leicester are a really good team and they’re a very tough team to beat here, particularly with the riders they’ve got.”
The Curtis Sport Brummies now prepare for a big May Day (Monday, May 5) away (1pm) and home (7.30pm) double against fellow strugglers Oxford.
The Ductair Bulls are in National Development Trophy action on Wednesday (April 30, 7.30pm) at King’s Lynn with a preview to be issued on Tuesday afternoon.
BIRMINGHAM 40: Tobiasz Musielak 12, Keynan Rew 8+1, Michael Jepsen Jensen 7, Jonas Jeppesen 5, Lewi Kerr 4+1, Jason Edwards 3+2, Antti Vuolas 1.
LEICESTER 50: Max Fricke 12+2, Sam Masters 10, Luke Becker 7+1, Ryan Douglas 6, Kyle Howarth 6, Drew Kemp 5+1, Dan Gilkes 4
