Bagpuss

Well Etheridge and Akroyd are a pair of wallies aren't they? Dear me.

Yep fair point but I'm not sure he would have maintained that form having gained most of his points from reserve, his absence enabled Harris, Nicholls Hans and Bjarne to all have an extra ride which doesnt always work but did pretty much perfectly that year. Agree about Hans and MPT, P'boro were certainly up against it in that final (think Kerr guested in the away leg and got 0?) but got the job done.

With all due respect to Ulrich I'm not sure those two absences can be compared and in essence his absence ultimately made P'boro stronger IMO.

I think riding all types of track makes you a better all round rider and Cooper can ride the tighter ones, he's shown that at Plymouth, Leicester, Northampton, Oxford etc. Hes arguably better on the big ones and obviously has struggled at Armadale but I think gating and bike set up probably feeds into that too. I'm sure he'll want to master that track but ultimately if his goal is to be a GP rider and a staple in the Extraliga then its probably not vital. I think what was most impressive from him up to the final was his composure, intelligence and the way he handled the occasion. He is without doubt a superstar in the making if his career progresses smoothly.

https://www.kingslynn-speedway.com/news.php?extend.31907.1

I suspect they may get used more often in the Leszno & ZG senior sides.

Prem I would have thought seeing as both have done so well in it this year.

How about the four finalists from last night plus Dan? Have a feeling Cairns will be in there somewhere though.

And be patient with them. The home advantage BV are experiencing this year had been cultivated by giving time to those middle and lower order riders.

'Team planning being underway' can mean anything from writing some names down on the back of a fag packet to having conversations with riders. I expect to some extent every team has starting some form of planning with several league structures/limits in mind.

The irony 😂

Well he kind of did, my point was a general one, as they often are on Poole threads as I dont want to be accused of having a go at them! It's not a new thing, track prep for riders not spectators has been an issue for years but if there is dust then what riders want shouldn't really come into it.

Govern and promote speedway better, make sure riders are available much more, vastly reduce guests, get the pricing right amd make fixtures more regular. Don't think the current management structure can deliver that so bring in somebody who can.

One of the issues with British speedway, tracks prep/maintenance should be with spectators in mind and not riders!

Was gonna make the same point. Clubs who moan about a lack of fixtures really should be running an NDL side.

Wouldn't be surprised if Wroclaw have had some input too.

I think its as simple as the need to be competitive. Apparently they had Gilkes signed until he got injured again, got to desperation levels I'd have thought.

Is it possible to pay for standing on the gate @PhilTheAce @Rob B

I think Oxford's team was based upon Riss being fit, well and in double figures more often than not. His absence has been huge. I think Rowe has been underwhelming too when you consider his scores in other leagues.

No idea what the racing was like last night but rider opinion is rarely a good barometer for the quality of speedway on show, very often the riders love the track but its not good for passing and vice versa.

They are still developing Binns, Cossey, Huthwaite etc but this is the issue with a too high points limit unfortunately, Lynn have had to sign established Champ riders and old hands to be competitive. Plus I'm cynical about Kennet's motives, no doubt it involves Poole and using him as a ringer. There's only so long British speedway can keep treating its patrons like they're daft.

I can't find it now but I'm sure I read somewhere that BVTV are filming it.

Bit like deadline day in football presumably.

Good signing and looking forward to seeing how he does.

I'm sure Kennett knew exactly what he needed to do at Oxford to fit at Poole 👀