ImpartialOne

Almost certainly. He was very impressive when I saw him at various tracks during 1990, the year he reached World No. 3 status and was electric from the starts; one of the best starters I've witnessed in the business. I think he deserved at least one title.

It was a lot more serious than that. To my knowledge he broke his back and pelvis and I believe he was initially told he could risk paralysis if he had another fall which was why he retired. Maybe someone who can recall it clearly could put us right?

What happens when we have a repeat of 1990 when one nation has to race the whole meeting with one rider? Will they introduce reserves and make them trios, only to realise it's then more of a team event and scrap it in favour of a World Cup?

To add to that, Cox became German (even raced in the 1994 World Final as German I believe) and Wigg went Dutch!

I do agree with most of that but I don't like that second can get more than first. Same as I don't like 3 points for a win and 4 for 2nd in league racing! With this system people won't be cruising because even if you've made the semi on 8, there's no guarantee you'll make the final so you could end up on 8 or 9 but if you went for every point you could at least go out with a maximum of 16 and your nearest rival could come last in the final with 18. It's worth a shot at least I think.

My only gripe is that sometimes the winner of a round can end up with less points than second place. This to me is wrong. To eliminate this, they should still carry the points forward in the semi finals but the final should be awarded 1st - 25, 2nd -22, 3rd - 20 and 4th 18. The highest possible points for a rider not making the final is 16 so the points would be better spread and there would be more emphasis on making the final. A rider could easily turn 10 points from 6 rides into 25 by winning the final and make up substantial ground or pull clear of the pack.

Ole Olsen's career span is not an opinion it's a fact. As for changing my name to NO IT ALL, why would I do that? It doesn't even make sense.

You said Olsen rode from 1970-1981. I corrected you and pointed out that he rode in Britain from 1967-1983. Now try not to read what is not there and you may find it will help your cause in having a debate.

Brilliant. I'm off to talk to a Teddy bear now and compare.

It's not a race, take your time. Maybe even go back and edit your mistakes so people can understand you? It's like Vicki Pollard on crack. Re: Olsen:1967-1983.

That's amazing!

It was Olsen I was calling a legend How did Nielsen just miss the cut of legends? He must have been gutted to come so close.

That'll be chunky you're talking to then. We did win the Forum Pairs together last year but couldn't compete with Shovlar and Starman this year.

It's my opinion, of course you can have it

It's debatable, in fact I think a thread was done on the two, but although Mauger won 9 individual titles to Nielsen's 4, Nielsen won 22 world titles in total and I believe Mauger "only" won 15. This of course was aided by the fact that Denmark were far stronger in Nielsen's time than NZ probably ever were. However, I think Nielsen's achievements easily put Olsen, as legendary as he was, in the shade.

Easily. I'd say up there with Mauger.

We all said that about Gollob though.

That's true.

That does sound about right actually. I too have a copy of the meeting but haven't watched it for probably 15 years. However, there were things going on before that and the very fact that Olsen put Nielsen at reserve was an insult and I think that was why Nielsen refused to ride. It was clear that Olsen was playing games with him.

Totally agree on all points, especially the bit about fun, which we should never stray too far from, and the defeat bit.

Sorry, I've had another go on the ready reckoner and it's come out this time at 16.46 x more talented. Also, I've just spoken to Joe, he's been to the doctors and apparently the talent has spread from his little finger and is now all up one arm.

That's smaller than Bjerre! On a serious note, as you know Rune, do you think he has ridden his last GP race? I found it a bit strange myself that Tatum and Pearson were so quick to write off a guy who rode the season as the current World No. 4 and was severely hampered by injury all year. I know he's knocking on a bit in speedway terms but does he still want it if the opportunity is there?

Plus it wouldn't fit with the Polish league on a Sunday.

It's just your opinion. It's only undoubted in your mind. This is not calculable, it's personal opinion who was the greater talent. However, talent and achievement are two completely separate things. You can have both, one or neither. Carter achieved what he did largely on belief, wealth and grit. Screen achieved what he did largely on talent.