Edward Barrett

Reckon you're right, he's now hit top form in the GP, he's won a race and doubled his overall points tally, he's got 11!!!

Rob Lyons indicated that the captain for team GB would be Scott Nicholls. At the risk of upsetting people and being accused of "putting the boot in", "kicking someone when they are down", and other similar things, on present form that would be a mistake. He has not performed well on his return to the Elite League, his form in the GPs against riders of the calibre that we will meet in the WTC is exceptionally poor; The riders I would like to see would be ; Richardson Harris Kennett Bridger Woffinden Harris is not performing well in the GPs either, but his Elite League record is better, and he is the current British Champion. Richardson is having a good season, the youngsters are all riding well and will be eager to make their mark, we need riders for the future who are hungry to succeed, Nicholls, I am afraid, has lived too long in the "comfort zone" of expecting to be automatically picked, when his form was better, perhaps now is the time to look to the future. What do others feel? (Time to put the tin helmet on and dodge the brickbats!! ;) )

Quite honestly it is about time Nicholls packed in the GPs. Team GB captain and British "no1" sitting rock bottom in the standings on 5 points, and yes I know there are a lot more meetings to go, but there does not seem to be anything in his performance to give optimism. This is the man who turned his back on his country in order to concentrate and improve his GP performance. Yeah right, good decision, Scottie!! Possibly he will be given the captaincy of team GB; I thought national selection and the ultimate honour of captaining your country were awarded on the basis of form and performance, in which case surely he is NOT suitable. Time for him to quit the GPs and return to what he is; a reasonable and competent club/team rider, but NOT an "International Superstar".

So yet again Harris and Nicholls produced their usual mediocre/poor performance, and yet again people feel it is necessary to make excuses for it. How much longer are they going to continue? Both of them have been in the GPs and riding abroad long enough to know what to expect, and what set up to use. Embarrasing and depressing are the 2 reactions that come to mind. And before people say that Gollob and Andersen were also poor, THEY are able to raise their game in the next round, our two are not capable of doing so.

So, not for the first time in a couple of seasons he has priced himself out of a club. This time round he may not find it so easy to get another set-up. Nicki is a brilliant rider, but surely he should have a bit of common sense to acknowledge that you have to adapt your demands to reflect the economic climate. If you are too greedy, or appear to be too greedy, you will lose out. Nicki was, and has.

Just seen elsewhere that Nicki P has been axed by his Polish club, anyone able to verify this, and if so is this another pointer to the mess that speedway world-wide is in as a result of the recession? How many of the superstars that fled these shores this winter may find that they've jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire?