Al Stewart

OK I've seen it now. Another unnecessary complication.

What is the rule?

This is spot on. Up to now my belief is that the Team GB setup is far more about style than substance. I would be very happy to admit if I am wrong about that. I can't even think of any way that things can realistically be altered. Either the riders are up to the job or they are not, and things like fitness, nutrition and team bonding sessions make only a marginal difference. The re-definition of 'team' to mean two riders plus an U21 has helped but realistically GB should not need this, there should be more riders at a good level. The aim should be to race Test series against Poland, Australia, Denmark etc with 7 or 8 man teams - proper Tests. This might happen in the future but the selection of Chris Harris (much as I admire what he has done over the years) doesn't suggest that we are aiming in this direction. Even Woffinden said we should be going with youth - surely he has a strong voice within Team GB?

One thing that I haven't seen anyone pick up on is the unevenness of the gates. If I've calculated it correctly, the results were: Red and Blue 51 White and Yellow 74.There were only 4 advantages for gates 1 and 3, 3 of these being against GB or Germany. All six of the 5-1s were from gates 2 and 4. It's disappointing when results in a big meeting, or indeed any meeting, are skewed in this way. The big finale winner-takes-all race is likely to be decided either by luck or by whichever team gets the better gates, assuming the balance is the same on the second day.

18,000

You have it spot on.

Any rider who is currently in the Championship and has not ridden in the Premiership this season can come into the Premiership on his Champ average divided by 1.5. Thus eg Craig Cook came to King's Lynn on an average 0.6 lower than his finishing average for Belle Vue last season, even though his form is probably better. On the other hand bringing a Premiership rider to the Championship, you multiply by 1.5, often making it prohibitive. This of course is intended to reduce doubling up but it certainly won't achieve this. Nobody will ever abandon the Championship because they know it would be very hard to get back in.

To say I empathise with this is an understatement. That is why I am in Edinburgh and not dashing down the country as I did for so many years (and enjoyed at the time).

You seem to be keen to give the impression that Edinburgh will cancel second halves for no reason, if they are in a bad mood or maybe just to annoy you. This is not correct. There were three NJL matches on the original fixture list this season none of which has taken place. These are: 19/4 Newcastle. The lighting had failed but much more importantly, a spectator had been taken seriously ill with an ambulance being called. The gentleman was in hospital for quite a while thereafter. Such an incident is usually accepted as a regrettable but valid reason for a postponement. 26/4 Ashfield. The whole meeting rained off. 3/5 Berwick. Match not programmed due to unavailability of riders. You might also be referring to 14/9/2018 when there was an intended match v Berwick after the senior teams had met. And yes, Edinburgh ‘got beat.’ I can’t remember the exact details but I think the senior match started about an hour late in very wet conditions. Several of the senior riders were unhappy that their match went ahead. I’m sure that both the conditions and the Edinburgh curfew were relevant. I realise this isn’t what the thread was meant to be about but there is so much ill-informed comment.

Yes but it's a new season.

Delighted to see the excellent Racers and Royals service back in place. Without reading through all the posts, I assume Premier Sports are out of the picture now for Speedway?

As it turned out, way too pessimistic. Much improved Edinburgh performance, very good meeting and two thrilling rides to finish with by William Lawson.

Unfortunately Thomas Jorgensen has withdrawn but hopefully you will still come!

I noticed this a while ago. It would have been better so say "You don't have to keep the team the same if it isn't working" because changing is indeed easy, far too easy really. However it's always best to start with the right team. Edinburgh started and finished with the same team in 2014, 2015 and 2017, and made one change only in 2013 and 2016. Sadly last year was another story.

If they are both out which seems likely, surely that affects Somerset more?

Excellent thanks

Anyone know why this isn't on Eurosport 2 as it is supposed to be?

Sadly they are not.

The BBC suggesting light showers can mean anything from dry and sunny to a torrential downpour.

Everyone has harped on for years about Edinburgh's home advantage, this is the first year it has actually been true and borne out by statistics. In previous years we have been good home and away with a lower-than-average difference between home and away scores. However surely everyone would agree that getting in to the Playoffs because other teams had rain-offs would be very disappointing and one of several reasons why I can't abide the Playoffs.

Where is this fantastic photo?

I am not saying that anything was Newcastle's fault, nor that there isn't decline elsewhere. I am simply expressing concern for a club I like. Apologies for intruding on your domain.

Looking at the team Newcastle put out, the performances of some of those who did ride, and the length of time taken to run the meeting, you have to seriously worry about what the attendance will be for next Sunday when Workington are the visitors.

There is no reason why you should not get a guest up to Bach's average.

The rule is this: 16.5.2.2 No facility is permitted to replace a rider, who although included in a Re-declaration has not made an appearance for that Team since being re-declared. So clearly according to that there should be no facility. It's stupid of course, the point of the rule is to stop teams deliberately signing an injured rider to get a facility. It should not apply here but because of the poorly written rule, it might.