stevebrum

Good to see it confirmed!

I can’t believe anyone could make an argument for Cook over Iversen. Cook isn’t even in the same ball park. Cook will never achieve the level that Iversen is still at. Ive never seen Iversen as a genuine title contender but someone who has ridden at that level for many a year and qualifying of right has to have earned the right to be classed as a genuine GP standard rider. Before anyone says Cook qualified as of right in his only season in the GP’s he got in thru the back door because Dudek had already qualified. Cook is a decent 2nd heat leader in the top flight in the Premiership, totally unproven anywhere else. Unlike Iversen.

Maybe, but you can only judge on his last time here, which wasn’t very successful at all. Obviously he is 2 years older and more experienced so maybe you will see a different rider this time. The majority of the tracks here will be much smaller than he is used to so you have to hope he has progressed and is adaptable.

This virus thing is being way too sensationalised. Flu kills more people each year already. He has ridden here before and was hopeless. That’s why i rated him (or didn’t rate him in this instance).

With only Peterborough to announce last signing I’ll have a stab at predictions. 1. Swindon - huge top 3 that proved impossible to stop last season. The only caution is Jensen adding to that average? Ellis is excellent in mid order. Stewart is a complete unknown at this level but could make a massive difference dependant how he settles. Perks likewise has to continue his upward trend. Rowe is the weakest rider in all teams however he only has to beat his opposite number 7 to do his job so that’s more than possible. 2. Sheffield - a very solid top 4. Pedersen should be in the top 2 averaged riders this year if you go on polish form. Holder should be a solid number 2. Howarth should improve after an injury hit year in 2019. Their reserves are the weakest pair tho. 3. Wolves - a solid packed side with no out an out number one could come unstuck against the powerhouse pairings. Should be room for improvement in all 7 riders which has the hallmark of a dark horse side. Nicol is unproven at the level but has a lot resting on his shoulders if he doesn’t hit the ground running. If he does then they are going to be very tough opposition. 4. Belle Vue - another side like Wolves with huge potential for growth. No recognised number one but Kurtz should really kick on at the NSS. Lidsey and Bewley are rapid talents and will hold the key to just how much of a force they will be. Kildemand will either be a hit or flop such as how his rising star has fallen over the past 12 months. Etheridge will need to improve away as he was awful before. 5. Peterborough- seems a lot will be resting on their ‘new’ 7th rider if it proves to be a newcomer. Having Iversen back is massive for the Panthers and the rest looks really solid if not a bit dads army. Hard to see a weakness. Nicholls at reserve is a no brainer for any side. 6. Kings Lynn- another solid side and will need Lambert back to his 2018 form to help the Stars back into the top 4. Cook will be a dependable number 2, whilst Riss has way more to give. The rest need to up their game particularly away. Hartel looks a weak link. 7. Ipswich. Purely based on a number 1 who has retired when still had more to give. I can’t see him being anywhere near the force he once was. However just like last season there is a solid look about them so won’t be surprised again if they prove to be the biggest of dark horses again. Crumps main strength will be as coach and motivator in my opinion that could have a huge influence on all 6 riders. This could be the making of Kemp who on paper looks 2nd worst number 7. As a Brit I hope he has a massive year.

Everyone put Ipswich last in 2019

Please feel free to quote me any I’ve criticised this pre season to prove your point. ive not seen any other post that has Wolves last so far. Did you miss my criticism of the Wolves management picking Nicol over Nicholls, or do only read selectively? feel free to prove me wrong tho.

Nicholls at reserve for any team is a no brainier.

A Cradley fan putting Wolves last, quelle surprise

Truth is Jason hasn’t been very clear how Seth’s schedule fit into all this if at all. Edited.

In all honestly it makes perfect sense him racing here whilst he is here with his Seth. If that’s the real reason (as well as having the racing bug again) then just say so. People will jump to their own conclusions anyway.

That would make more sense, just a shame Jason doesn’t say I’m racing here whilst Seth finishes his schooling in the UK whilst he races bikes himself. would make it much clearer!

And usually does no good in the top flight. Triers don’t always get the points they deserve.

So still not clear if Seth is staying in Oz or not then! Doesn’t say where he is doing his final year in school!

So which is it? He has another year in school ??? Or he is coming with his dad to race also??? Must admit I’ve just read his SS interview and it’s not clear........ ’Seth is in his final year at high school and combining study with a blossoming career racing road bikes.’ So he is either staying in Oz studying and racing OR is coming to the UK to study and race. looks the former to me. Got a better source?

Thoughts that what I read. So those still quoting Seth as the reason are wrong then.

Did I read that Seth has one more year education back in Oz still tho?

Saw this shared today, I had no idea he had made a video singing!

You clearly didn’t see Bech ride last time he was here with Wolves (2016), dropped to reserve and was still pretty pants. Proven dreadful in the top flight.

6.26 from 2016 with Wolves 5.50

As previously discussed he was always in discussions to come back. Great to have another GP standard rider back. More chance of Woffy coming back to Monmore to replace Masters. Don’t see why he should. Plenty of foreign riders have been back in the past recent years without a reduction.

Other than Nicki, Crumpy and PK.

Well done you, the first one to make a point that hardly anyone believed anyway. BTW you will see I’ve already commented my surprise on the Ipswich thread. But nice try all the same. It seems everyone knew that Pedersen, Crump and Kildemand would be gracing our league in 2020 said no one, ever.

Who should out perform the pensioner however.

Gobsmacked to see Crump making a comeback. Didn’t see that one coming. with Pedersen, Kildemand and now Crump now back in British Speedway it would appear anyone riding or retired is fair game.