(SPEEDWAY 1)

BELLE Vue have agreed an undisclosed transfer fee to buy Australian star Rory Schlein from Coventry.Elite League Riders’ Champion Schlein had a highly successful season on loan at Kirkmanshulme Lane in 2011 and has been named as the Aces’ club captain for the forthcoming campaign.Representatives of the two clubs met last week, and Belle Vue MD David Gordon said: “Both sides were delighted with the outcome of the meeting. Rory had made it clear he wanted to be a Belle Vue rider, Coventry were in a position to accept that and they dealt with the situation in a very professional manner.“It was a very easy negotiation. Rory was delighted when we told him. It can only be good for the sport that transfers can be agreed in an amicable manner without the need for arbitration which would have been inconvenient for everyone concerned.”

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POOLE and Eastbourne have been left disappointed by news that speedway’s proposed European Cup has been postponed until 2013.The Pirates and Eagles, who were the Elite League’s top two clubs last season, were set to compete against rivals from Sweden and Denmark and fixture dates had been agreed.Poole co-promoter Gordon Pairman said: “I suppose I should have seen this coming as the organisers have been quiet on the subject lately, but it still comes as a great blow to the club, its supporters and sponsors.“We had put the dates in our fixture list and even had TV coverage agreed with Sky Sports who do so much for British speedway, but sadly we’ve now got to face up to the fact that we will not be taking the club into Europe this year.”