4thbender

Sheffield were out-gated in ten of the 15 races. The only saving grace was that the Tigers only finished last in six races, as opposed to their opponents nine. If Wolves had managed to cut down on some of the 4th places it would have been a total rout. Sheffield should think themselves lucky and get in some gating practice before next week's visit of super-fast gating Zagar, Fricke and Kurtz. Somehow I can't envisage Blodorn and Brennan gifting the Tigers with seven 4th places like the Wolves reserves did last night.

We can all make that silly argument. Equally, when Jack gets the winter out of his bones, his 7 + 1 will increase to a 15 max, and that will cancel out any contribution Zagar might make.

Just as well really, 'cos YOU'RE OUT!!!

Pussy cats running scared? Whatever their state of anxiety. they're running WAY AHEAD OF YOU!

Good to see Connor Mountain doing well in his first outing of 2022 in Auty's testimonial at Scunny, scoring 8 points (with no 4th places) and inflicting one of only two defeats on Danny King. Reckon he'll be a very useful asset at reserve.

WizzAir out of Doncaster seem to be unaffected.

Why is it a damning indictment on British speedway when British speedway will have the delight of seeing all four of them compete? I presume you mean it is a damning indictment of the quality of British riders, which is a completely different issue.

Yeah, roughly the same as what happened in 2019: Peterborough: 24 matches, won 6, drawn 1, Lost 17. 20 points. Finished 7th out of 7.

Don't think so; Cook is bargain basement. Heat leaders are Holder, Ellis and Musielek.

Common knowledge - like common sense - isn't that common!

So ALL the team predictions on this forum are WRONG... because we'll be naming EIGHT riders!

The championship is surely the appropriate level for a rider of his potential.

The really good news is that Troy has gone to Cheetahs. Missing him already.

Confirmed by whom?

Howarth would be first on my team sheet every time. What he lacks in finesse he makes up for with sheer will-to-win-come-what-may. 120% committed and a great team man. He epitomizes everything that the Tiger spirit stands for.

No place for Adam Ellis? That's a mistake. Also looks like we've got three reserves in there, which is another mistake.

Are there any more riders lined up on the conveyor belt that runs through that sleepy French town? I'm sure there are a number of British promoters willing to stake a claim based on the evidence of past graduates of the Marmande machine.

Guess that explains the conundrum, but why, when speedway has such a powerful foundation locally, has it not spread wider in France? When I was there in my student days my raving about the joys of speedway were simply met by blank stares. It didn’t even have a name – I used to have to describe it as “les courses de la piste en cindré.”

Someone called "Ashie" mentioned on this Forum under the thread "Who Is The Worst Rider Ever To Ride For Your Team?" in 2006 "Thierry Hillaire... was billed as top French international, but his first race and he more or less forgot to turn to left at the first bend."

I could understand riders basing themselves in the town if there was a French National Speedway Stadium in the locality, but these riders were born there. What could explain that?

Speaking of which, how many French speedway riders do people know? I've been checking a few things.... David Bellego, born 15 May 1993, Marmande, France; Dimitri Berge, born 5 February, 1996, Marmande, France; Adam Ellis, born 21 March 1996, Marmande, France; Steven Goret, born 15 June 2002, Marmande, France. What is it about Marmande (a nondescript little town on the Garonne, 35 miles south east of Bordeaux)? In a country that has no cultural history of speedway - no league, no teams - how come four top-drawer riders should emerge from a complete backwater?... and all born in the first half of the year. What goes on there? It makes me wonder whether some speedway icon of the 70's and 80's bought himself a holiday home in the town after his retirement from the sport and spent the summer months in the 90's servicing the romantic needs of the local maidens, thus spawning an entire dynasty of top-notch speedway riders for the 2020's. Thoughts anyone?

Methinks that Bordeaux-based Jonny the Spud might have more than a passing interest in the welfare of Marmande's most famous speedway son.

It elevates you to the level of being demonstrably able to compete (and win) at the highest level in British speedway. Just the kind of rider any sensible team manager would want in their side.

Say what you want but I'd rather have him inside the tent pi55ing out than outside the tent pi55ing in.