LEICESTER were forced to settle for the runners-up spot after they missed out to Belle Vue in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Grand Final.
The Watling JCB Lions were beaten 103-77 on aggregate after losing 49-41 in their home leg on Thursday night.
The odds were against them as the Aces arrived at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park holding an 18 point lead from the first leg in Manchester.
And instead of closing the gap, they went 22 points behind overall when guest reserve Drew Kemp and Rising Star Sam Hagon conceded a 5-1 in Heat Two with three of the other four opening races shared.
Belle Vue moved another step closer with a 4-2 in Heat Five and with the following four races shared, time was more than running out.
Max Fricke and Richard Lawson combined for a first 5-1 in Heat Ten, but the visitors secured the title with a 4-2 in the very next race.
Leicester did manage two 4-2s after that, but with the Aces also banging in two more maximums, and British star Dan Bewley wrapping up another full house, the men from Manchester also claimed victory on the night.
“Of course we’re disappointed,” Lions team manager Stewart Dickson said.
“We kind of knew from Heat Two onwards that it wasn’t going to be our night.
“We did want to win our home leg that’s for sure but Belle Vue did ride well.
“I have to congratulate them, they were the better team over the two legs and they thoroughly deserved it.”
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL, 2nd leg
LEICESTER 41: Sam Masters 11, Richard Lawson 8+2, Max Fricke 7+1, Ryan Douglas 7, Luke Becker 4+1, Sam Hagon 3+1, Drew Kemp 1.
BELLE VUE 49: Dan Bewley 15, Brady Kurtz 11+1, Jaimon Lidsey 9+1, Ben Cook 4+2, Norick Blodorn 4, Jake Mulford 3+2, Antti Vuolas 3.
Belle Vue win 103-77 on aggregate.
