Wackie

Yes of course better to test before and ALL of them, but as they only test a sample just thought it strange that they don't test the podium finishers as they do in other disciplines too. There's been some serious allegations made by other SGP riders in the wake of Ward failing his breath test. Would include urine tests as well as breathaliser tests for ALL riders prior to future FIM events. It's sad to believe that some could be using recreational drugs or out partying the night before an event when you consider the already heightened risks within the sport. Maybe the only way forward for some of them to "keep their nose clean" Out of interest, do you know who was responsible for carrying out the breathaliser tests at Latvia?

I guess everything else in Latvia was a complete cock up that weekend, so we shouldn't expect the anti-doping tests to be any different! Surprised there's no testing of podium finishers though - it occurs in most other sports and certainly from what I can recall in MotoGP etc, but FIM wouldn't want any controversy in that discipline would they, be less easy to sweep under the carpet than say speedway! Jacques - it was an American Motocross rider who was caught with a banned substance in his system in April - was suspended in June - think that's still pending final outcome!!

So it is possible that although Ward was over the legal limit for racing and pretty much confessed to being so, he could get off further punishment on a technicality! Whatever the outcome, I think this incident shows that there needs to be more visible anti-doping testing (not just breathalisers) across the board in speedway especially at domestic events. Out of interest,do the FIM still test the 3 podium finishers at each GP too?

Really from the list WC's from 85 to 85 only Gary Havelock stands out as the one who wouldn't have won a title if the GP's had replaced the 1 off WF a decade earlier. There's very little doubt in my mind that had his horrible injury not robbed him from the sport, Per Jonsson would have been WC in 1994 - he was on fire that year! The Danes would have owned the late 80's, but the Swedes would have ruled the 90's. I think an earlier start to the GP's may have seen Jimmy Nielsen crowned WC too.

That's a blatant attempt to Spam this thread!

Great news - he'll be back for the next GP.

Doyle got done for drink driving a few years back too and tried to use some excuse of being chased and so afraid he had to drive away! I don't think the police took that as a mitigating circumstance for his actions.

If it was the BSPA or BSI handing out the punishment, then yes, I'd expect Ward to be dealt with leniently too. But this is the FIM, speedway is really small fry to them but they'll treat Ward no differently to any other motorcylist who failed their anti-doping regulations. He'll be well represented (probably by Monster who have also been mighty quiet on the situation regarding one of their high profile sponsored riders) so may stand a better chance than others, but the FIM will hand out the punishment they deem to be appropriate without the influence of any outside factors. I can't see breathalising before each meeting he rides in being on of them though, not their style. It's not a surprise he's still allowed to race either. A similar thing happened with an American motocross rider earlier this year. Failed a drug test in April but FIM didn't suspend him until June. I don't think any decision on punishment has been taken with that case yet.

Maybe they spoke to some others who were in Latvia? Who knows - but it distinctly lacks any info on "mitigating" circumstance

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/british-superbikes/speedway-star-darcy-ward-banned-4068103 Made the red tops. No mention of "bad news" in the article

Poor Darcy, always in the thick of it isn't he. Alleged sexual offence - drink related Brawl/thuggish behaviour in public (Torun) - drink related Injured in an altercation outside a public house - drink related Evading police whilst under the influence - drink and drugs related Caught with a higher than permitted alcohol level in his system - drink related Anyone else see a pattern here? There's no doubt that Ward is one of the most entertaining and talented riders in the world at the moment, but that doesn't excuse his behaviour. Again, there are no mitigating circumstances that could excuse him of failing a breath test at this weekends SGP. If whatever news he received was that bad and took his mind away for a few hours from what he should have been concentrating on (preparing for the following days meeting!) was that bad that only a skinful could resolve it, then you have to question what sort of place his head is in, and whether he should be riding at all at the moment. It wouldn't matter if it was Tai, Greg, Nicki or whoever - they all know the score regarding the FIM rules and regulations on their anti-doping policy, and the consequent penalties that could be passed out for breaking those regulations. If a precedent has been set for a similar offence (Danno) then a similar punishment must be imposed.

Actually, the way he's going again this year, they're probably testing him before and after races. The kid is a machine!!

I'm not just saying this because I'm not Darcy Ward's biggest fan, but they should throw the book at him! Sorry, but there's no mitigating circumstances that can excuse him. If the news was that bad, withdraw from the meeting, don't go looking for sympathy votes from a sob story. There should be a zero tolerance of alcohol in motor sports, no minimum level to be marginally over, it should be a limit of 0.00, they're riding 500cc bikes with no brakes ffs! No respect for his fellow competitors and willing to put their safety in danger by the choices he made. Could you imagine Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Lewis Hamilton etc. turning up on race day with alcohol in their system? No - because they have respect for themselves, respect for their fellow competitors and are professional. Talented or not, Ward is a knob and has probably just literally p!ssed his career up the wall.

He went back with an offer of £60M which they've accepted!

I remember it as the said aussie hurting his back whilst unloading his bikes, how unlucky is that! Must have been quite bad though, he did look very pale sitting in the pits when the doping officers arrived. Just because nobody has been caught over here in a few years doesn't mean testing doesn't happen, or that riders racing in GB are whiter than white. I guess what was a banned substance 2, 3, 4 years ago may not be now and vice-versa. Wasn't too long ago that it became obvious from the conversations on twitter, a group of young high profile riders where partying with canisters of laughing gas - it's what most young people do these days apparently maybe wasn't a banned substance then, but could be now.

How many World Titles did Phil Crump win?

A great day again, and it definitely looked like there were more people there this year. We paid our £15 each for a ticket, but couldn't get anywhere near the seats we normally choose once in the stadium! Ended up the upper tier, but on the back straight so still got a great view. Track didn't cut up as much as normal, maybe that led to the more processional racing, and to be honest it didn't matter who gated in the final, barring hitting that rut on bend 2, they were going to win it. Just turned out to be Greg, who's reactions defy his age that made the gate, but he had to work for it, and fully deserved it. Presentation of the meeting was top notch, just a shame that they didn't have the stadium staff in to deal with the crowds, the queues for food and drink during the breaks were huge, and the staff couldn't cope with the demand for their cold (or warm in the case of beer!), overpriced food and drink. Fan zone was a disappointment too. Far too cramped and as someone else said, same old.

Does Tony still live in Gotland?

Ahh, not from me. I'm not a huge fan of Tai's, but I won't be booing him!

Wouldn't be surprised if the whole twitter/media thing was "engineered" by BSI/Monster. Nice bit of needle between a Dane,and a Brit along with a couple of other well supported riders forming "Team Monster" is bound to cause a little flurry in ticket sales for the next couple of GP's - where are they being held again, and who's the series sponser? You'd pay a lot more than, say 2 x 600 Euro fines for that sort of advertising or brand placement online and in the press. This is all a storm in a tea cup which is whipping up a frenzy, these are skilled, professional riders we're talking about. You only have to see how each react when tragedy or serious injuries hit the sport, they all respect each other and unite. They may not all be mates, but there's no intention to do anything other than race when they line up against each other. Don't really think they're wrong in drumming up a bit of a stir ahead of two big GP's though. Creates more excitement, anticipation and enjoyment for the fans The panto of it all is brilliant, some of the audience participation in this one has been hilarious

I think Efkins and Gjedde would be high on most Reading fans lists!

RIP Alf, another great character of the sport lost

Only heard of this sad news yesterday R.I.P Dougie, a lovely man well thought of by all at Reading.

I think the heat 2 crash and seeing Gollob laying there motionless took the shine off the meeting for me. That and the constant banging on about Tai from the commentary duo. Personally, I don't think any of the temp tracks make for good meetings and last nights was anything but a "thiller". People rave about Cardiff, but it's the atmosphere not the actual racing that's good. The racing at Stockholm last night was better than that served up at Cardiff this year, but IMO not a patch on the majority of the GP's this season. Really hope the news on Gollob is more positive than some reports are suggesting. Whilst 2013 hasn't been a vintage year for him, he's still brings a lot to the GP's. Hopefully he'll be fit enough to accept a WC next year.

I'm going to have to watch the meeting back again, maybe I missed something first time round but I just don't get the gushing posts about what a brilliant meeting with great racing it was. :/ Whilst the stadiums maybe fantastic, these temporary tracks just don't seem big enough to state GP racing, and have caused far too many injuries this season.