Poole in the KOC is no more "mickey mouse" than this season where you had 1 team not entering and 2 given a bye to the semi-finals.
It's fairer than giving a random side the bye and with the Holder brothers returning and a rare appearance from Woffinden there it's guaranteed a massive crowd.
Have to disagree, how can you decide the best rider of 2025 before some of them will have turned a wheel in anger. Don't like that plan at all. And the pairs, was based on 2 of 3 highest averages in the side that year, most of them be lucky if turned out for club they're representing. Only thing less credible would be throwing a team full of guests into a cup competition... Oh wait
Still think it should have been later in the season, for example hold the British semi final, British final & Championship riders Championship on the same days as the Polish Final (it's over 3 rounds). Won't be any clashes with Polish fixtures on these days.
The more I look at it, the more I like this team.
Sure, they will struggle in Heats 13 & 15 but they will always have strong riders and 2 and 6 and should comfortably win the majority of their home meetings. I am expecting Jan Kvech to push on towards an 8.00 ave this season.
I can see this team finishing in the play offs behind Ipswich, Sheffield and potentially Oxford.