salty

Nice idea to talk about appointing a GB youth coach and Mike Lee would certainly have a part to play. Trouble is, who pays for such a set up? A few years ago Peter Oakes took on the role of developing young Brits (can't remember his actual job title) and seemed to be doing a good job of supporting the youngsters and helping their development. If I remember he walked away from the post muttering about lack of support from the authorities (maybe someone else can give more detail), but I got the impression that there just doesn't seem the will to provide the necessary finance.

Philip Rising's exact words regarding Emil were that he "cannot automatically qualify for next year's SGP series. That is one of BSI's wild cards done and dusted". No grey area there and rightly so.

At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious a lot depends on what happens in the last 4 rounds. Most obviously to determine who finishes in the top 8. One nomination will go to Emil and it seems that any 3 from Andersen, Jonsson, Hancock, Pedersen and Harris will need a pick as well. Unless Tai ups his game significantly in the last 4 GP's I can't see how he could be justified getting a pick ahead of any of the above riders. Other imponderables are possible retirements freeing up spots. Is it possible Kolodziej will have a wild card spot at Bydgoszcz to show us again what he can do? Past history has shown that BSI/IMG want to have 2 Brits in the series, but really such a standpoint is becoming difficult to maintain as unfortunately the Brits aren't up to it. I can see a scenario where Tai is given a second season "to grow" into the series, but to be honest I think such a move would make a total mockery of the event.

No chance of that I hope. The guy finished 3rd last year and would have been in the top 8 this year if it wasn't for his injuries. He is a must for next year. That leaves 3 slots and I guess it all depends which riders get in the top 8. Don't really want to see any of Jonsson, Pedersen, Hancock or Andersen miss out to just to let the Brits get 2 in. I also would like to see Kolodziej get in, which would require Lindgren getting into the top eight.

Pretty good meeting. Sped through in less than 2 hours, compare to the Coventry meeting last year that seemed to go on forever.

3 man race-off. Zorro, Lindgren and Kolodziej. Hope the Pole does it, but would be a good comeback after his last in Heat 17.

Laguta does it!!!! Terrific stuff.

Kolodziej has looked so good all night, but now relying on others to drop points.

Any 3 from Kolodziej, Lindback, Laguta and Lindgren, with Zorro still in with a shout. Would love to see Laguta pull it off.

Don't see your logic. No point having fresh blood just for the sake of it, surely they need to be competitive to be a worthwhile addition. I prefer to watch the best 15 in the world (or as near as possible), but I can't see another Brit who would be able to compete at the moment. At least this year Harris is still in the running for a top 8 spot.

I've a horrible feeling Madsen might get in the top 3, which would leave a nasty taste in the mouth after his silencer issues earlier in the qualifying. Ulamek can gate as good as anybody and might also do well. Harris rode well in the WTC Final but I doubt if the track will be the same this weekend. Would love to see one of the Russians get through.

Interesting info, Kiwi. Certainly sounds like it is still a possibility.

Now that is interesting!

Spot on.

You have a strange definition of interesting....

Back to the list of qualifiers, I thought Povazhny had qualified?

With Emil out for the season that is one of the nominations taken care of. As someone else said BSI have dug themselves a bit of a hole by giving Tai a nomination for this season. I am sure they are hoping he can show something in the last 4 GP's to justify sticking with him for next year. More of the same and you can't really justify giving him a pick even taking into account his youth.

Thanks for the photos - looks like a good crowd.

Agree that it makes it a bit pointless to have a run-off. Sets it up for a great final round though.

Are you talking about the Gaffer qualifying from Vojens or getting a nomination? Would have to be the latter, I don't think he qualified for the Challenge Final. Certainly looks fascinating for the weekend and further ahead to see who will make up the 15 for next year. Unless BSI strike lucky, as you say, their nominations system will be under a bit of pressure. I'm sure they will be looking for a Swede and a Brit to qualify from Vojens, to give them a bit more flexibility with their choices, but it's possible that the Brits might be struggling to get their 2 free passes this year.

I was at that match at Plough Lane. Early season League Cup match. Rooted out the programme which shows that Wimbledon were 8 points ahead with 3 races to go and indeed the Cheetahs got 3 consecutive 5-1's to clinch a 37-41 victory. For Oxford Taylor, Wigg and Rasmussen all got paid wins in their last outings and they were their only ones of the night. Gordon Kennett only got 1 point from 4 rides and John Davis was last in Heats 11 and 13 for the Dons. Ref was Reg Trott. Next night Wimbledon won at Oxford.

We'll just have to disagree then. The key word you use is "should" (or as you wrote it shoul), the fact remains that the rules allow Holta to ride as a Pole, just like back in the 60's they allowed Bob Andrews to represent New Zealand even though he had previously ridden for England. If you think that makes sport a "joke" fair enough, but does one Norwegian riding for the country of which he has been a citizen for 8 years make it any more a joke than the England cricket team having 4 South African born players and an Irishman?

Try writing your second sentence in English then I'll know what point you are trying to make. My comment about the English cricket team was in response to Sudden Sam's comments so needs to be taken in context. Whether they have played tests or not is splitting hairs really, Pietersen and Trott for example were both born and raised in South Africa and played for their Youth team. Morgan was born and raised in Dublin and played a number of 1 day internationals for Ireland.

I take it you don't celebrate the victories of the England cricket team then?

Morgan never played a Test Match for Ireland because they don't play Test Cricket. He did play 25 one day internationals for them though. He played for England one month after he played for Ireland.