mikebv

The "lineal" world champion... Never been beaten for the crown...

100℅.... It must be a huge shock to the system to get binned from a UK team.. The riders will know that "talent" is in short supply, in both leagues, so many would think they are "bomb proof".. The reality of course is that even if you get binned by one club, invariably another will want your services, given that lack of a talent pool due to running 7 man teams..

Depends on how many teams need him to guest to make their team competitive... In the interests of Speedway obviously...

Seems to always do OK in Poland even if poor over here..

I do have a concern that within all the good they do... Those running the GB under 21 set up just might be creating some riders that maybe, just maybe, are getting ahead of themselves, and see themselves a fair way further up the pecking order than they actually are.. I am not sure that riding at Premiership level helps either now that genuine world class talent is once again riding over here.. Poland have riders who can regularly beat the best in the world, riding in their junior berths, so it is fine for them, and as is shown at U21 international level, the Poles regularly smash the GB lads (unless Dan rode).. Maybe the 2nd Div should have seen the RS's being implemented...?

Dropping averages to bring Bartek and Laguta in?

Should just call it now... Brum get away without a complete hiding and save some points money...

No surprise though really... Always found wanting at the top level, and must find the tracks over here "somewhat different"... Going head to head against GP riders, and others roughly at that level, wont be doing him any favours...

Not a HL in the top division... And that was the same when hardly any "top riders" rode here... Now there are a fair few, his points scoring is under even more pressure... Riding at No2, at wolves, was ideal for him, especially as if they won the toss, he went off gate one in the first heat..

Sadly, it was obvious from the moment all the other teams had their own heat leaders in place that Brum were going to struggle.. Every one of their riders are riding in a position (at least), one place up from where they should be.. And their two top riders are only on their "contrived" averages to make the team look competitive on paper.. Good job there wasn't eight teams in the league...

It was like watching a testimonial...

Think they might need an "away kit" for this one.. Just switched on and all riders look on the same team...

Looks like they haven't released all the tickets on the fouth bend... Only those at "camera" level for the front shot of the start line are currently able to be purchased.. Front and middle available only. Meaning the most filmed part of the track will look full.. We got an "upgrade" last time from our standing tickets, with some flags to this section to ensure 100% full... Thus giving a positive message on the TV, and it created some great atmosphere.. (You do need the Poles there though).. Maybe they will do the same again for those buying standing tickets? Hopefully some "touts" might get involved (misguidedly), and there will be a bargain or two on the days as they scramble to offload as much as they can...

£85 for a tiny minority sport is "the very top end" I would think.. £50 cheapest seat would be a tad "more realistic" I would suggest.. There is also no longer a "novelty value" over here anymore in watching many of those expected to be there on "Final Night", which may also impact the perceived value in paying the prices sought.. Lets hope it is a great success though, and generates lots of publicity for UK Speedway, and full houses at each event reflects it in a good light..

Wow... For four of us that is £340.... At least Dick Turpin wore a mask... Curry and beer for four and watching at home? Around £100.... Kerching....

The only criticism you can have about Polish speedway is the lack of atmosphere...

Big chance missed from Kowalski.. Clamp him down on the line and Magic could have come around...

Is always the answer....

A shame... Doesn't have much luck with injuries that lad.. One of those lads who always give 100% regardless of position.. Best wishes for a speedy return...

Spot on.. Even the NSS when "running slick" delivers much better racing than "being grippy"... Given the handling of the bikes these days, grip can make it as near to "running on rails" as a speedway bike can get. Fast for sure, but very processional, as all follow the same "sweet spot" around the bends.. I would think a clay based surface would be specifically difficult to get right, particularly when moisture is either within it, or in the air...

It is the annual "Leicester already need to make changes" thread.....

It isn't as if there are "millions of pounds" riding on their decisions is it? Refs in other sports get well paid, and even get someone else watching a monitor to advise them if they get things wrong... Speedway refs are more like "Sunday League" officlals who do it as they enjoy being involved.. And, like it or not, the rewards for winning titles in UK Speedway are more "Sunday League" than even "Conference League".. If they make decisions that could recklessly impact safety of the riders then that is a different issue, and disciplinary action should be taken and be severe.. Otherwise, common sense, and perspective, should be used..

For the aggregate bonus point, should the return match only take the result after 14 heats ? In this instance, it might not matter, but in others it may.. In a sport with such home team advantage, the extra heats (up to 5 if called off after Ht 10), could make a big difference....

100%... Litigation would be enormous if anything happened which COULD be attributed to someone who has just not passed a drugs or alcohol test.. The ref and the clubs complicit in letting him ride, could face prosecution, as could the governing body... Even the rider himself could sue if he got injured as "you let me ride"... You don't pass, you don't ride...

His gating was poor v the higher level rider when I watched him... However, whilst behind, his speed was very much on a par with the higher standard in front of him and, only very rarely did he get cut adrift from the rider in third, and often, by the end of the race, would have closed down the distance he had given away before bend 3 on the first lap.. When in front, he had some real speed and control of the bike at that speed..