Wackie

Trees, really????? We don't know what his alcohol reading was, but whatever it was still in his system and most likely would have impaired his ability on the bike putting himself but more importantly his fellow competitors in danger. There's simply no excuse for that. None!!! Possibly, there are many other riders who should be in Wards position, I hope that the fact he WAS caught acts as a deterrent to others. I'll say it again, NO EXCUSE.

Ah yes, that lame excuse, more bad advice from someone in the Ward camp. Drinking lots of fluids after his lash up may have helped his hangover, but it won't have helped clearing the alcohol from his system. I really do think that Ward's not the brightest of sparks, but the crap advice he's being given behind the scenes has done him more harm than good in this and other cases. First of all we heard there were extenuating circumstances for him drinking the night before a GP, then the "I didn't hydrate enough" bullsh!t, then the queries with the testing procedures. If he'd of held his hands up first off and admitted he'd cocked up, it's possible his punishment would have been known by now, he could have moved on and we wouldn't have to deal with Middleditch spouting more rubbish and digging a deeper whole with every comment he makes. You're quite right Jacques. There's been better riders the sport has been cruely robbed of - Jan O, Gundersen, Jonsson - it survived, as did the clubs they rode for.

So is this now all the FIM's fault? Are you trying to say if they'd have had all rider tests at GP's last year Ward wouldn't have gone out on the lash the night before a GP?

I personally think the best thing Ward could do whenever this is all over and any punishment has been served is wipe the slate clean and move on. Whilst the Poole fans may love him, the off track support and advice he's been getting down there have done him no favours. Makes you wonder if he'd been under the wing of Buster at KL he'd have got into all the trouble he has whilst at Poole.

There seems to have been lots of straws grasped at since August last year!

I try and read your posts Starry, I can even make sense of some of them. But still waiting for you to answer what you think me not quoting one of your other posts says about me? Simple question really.

Ah the irony. Still waiting Starry, by me not quoting your following post to a response someone made to one of your other posts I agreed with, what does that say about me? You made the statement, surely you weren't talking b*ll*x!

You said I didn't quote your next post, that says a lot about you - what does it say about me?

Read it, can't find what it says about me?

What does it say?

He's not been banned yet. Exactly!

You can't help but admire Greg for his achievements. The longevity of his career at the top is unique and probably will be for some time. How good? Extremely good imo, but not the best.

Actually there's only one!

I expect Wards camp have gone through the FIM anti-doping code with a fine tooth comb looking for a way out for their client, which is probably why dates have been pushed back. Looking at section 5.9. could it be that there was reading material provided for Ward in the test facilities, but the lack of Roger Red hat and Billy Blue hat books meant it wasn't suitable for him - he was therefore discriminated against by the FIM?

Apologies, I was doing Ward a dis-service, it was indeed Dec 2012 he was arrested for DUI. I thought that incident was the year after he got smacked outside the pub, rather than just a couple of months. He's did relatively well then in the following 18 months keeping his nose clean.

Was within a year of his latest mistake involving alcohol. Hardly his past, more like his usual.

He was also arrested and pleaded guilty to evading the police whilst riding an unregistered, uninsured motorcycle. He did have extenuating circumstances for that mistake though - he was pissed again at the time!

I completely agree TWK, basically he needs to grow up. However, like others have suggested a 12 month ban with a further 12 months suspended would suffice IMO for this misdemeanor.

It would be a shame to see Ward banned for too long in one respect, however, the fall out from those who support him "no matter what" is going to be marvelous to watch/read if he's banned for part of all of the 2015 season.

I don't think Pedersen has ever intentionally gone out on track to be dangerous, reckless at times and a hard rider maybe, but he's professional enough to know you don't ride unless completely sober. Shame Ward doesn't share the same passion for the sport as Pedersen.

Act in what way? I can't remember Pedersen ever getting in trouble with the authorities, in or out of the sport.

In what way? You don't trust the pictures he posts on twitter showing 0% alcohol in his system whenever tested? Agree that all riders should be tested before meetings, but it still wouldn't stop the whinging if Ward was caught again. His syncophants would still expect him to get a slap on the wrist and a cursory suspension from October to February so he didn't miss the European speedway season! Whether people like it or not. Ward is being treated exactly the same way as any other competitor who falls foul of the FIM rules and regulations would. All these calls such as "he's done his time" "it's not fair the ways he's being treated" are quite simply pathetic. It's not the FIM who are the joke!!

Paid his dues and served his punishment. For what? The FIM haven't found him guilty or imposed a punishment yet.

Ward will be a marked man now anyway whatever the outcome on Friday after admitting he'd drunk excessively the night before the GP. Wouldn't be surprised if testing ALL riders before FIM meetings is brought in as an amended rule, won't bother the majority of GP riders, they're professional and smart enough to know you shouldn't have a skinful the night before a GP.

Latest news is that the off duty police officer who carried out the breath test was in fact left handed. According to supplementary rule 5.1a.8.7.64512/54-DUI, it's outside of the rules for a lefty to carry out such procedures on a Sunday. In addition, the 17th August is also saints day for St. Clare of Montefalco. The life of St. Clare reminds us that we are all called to a life of beer and dedication. Still, we must not expect or anticipate special favors - unless your name is Darcy Ward. Case dismissed (until the next time)!