Marksman

There’s an update in the Speedway Star. Looks like it’s just 1 position to fill, we are hardly left with the dregs as some people like to believe.. COMETS OPTIONS WORKINGTON boss James Denham admits there have been some very tough decisions in putting together his team for 2026. With Jonas Jeppesen, Troy Batchelor, Tate Zischke and Vinnie Foord all confirmed as starters for the GT Tyres Comets, it leaves three places to fill. Denham says they haven't been short of options to complete the septet, and all are being explored having taken a different approach to team- building than in previous seasons. "We've had to go down a different route, because what we've seen the last two seasons is that we just need stronger riders in certain positions," said Denham. "Troy was pretty much the only man we could rely on, there was no-one else that we could trust. He delivered when he could but he didn't really have any support. "We needed to give him that support. We needed a proper number one this year, and Jonas is the right man. "Troy maybe isn't as strong as some of the other number ones, but he can mix it with those guys on his day. "That's the route we've gone down, and we have three other positions to fill now. We have some of that sorted but are waiting for the last piece of the jigsaw. "I think there are plenty of riders, both on the continent and in the UK, that would fit the bill and we're just trying to figure out which is going to be the best one. We're waiting for a few people to get back to us and figure out which is the best option to go with. "We need to be unbeatable at home this year and pick up as many aggregate points in the Championship, like we did that first year when we made the play-offs." As is always the case when it comes to teams putting together their line-ups, there are inevitably riders who miss out on places and this may end up happening to Comets' 2025 rider of the year Jacob Hook. Denham sympathises with his plight but with team-building simply coming down to numbers, he says these are the tough decisions that need to be made. He added: "We've had plenty of riders who have been interested in coming to Workington this year and we've had to make some tough calls with Jye (Etheridge) and Jacob, but that's how the points limit plays into our hands. "I'm disappointed for Jacob. Not only has it not worked out for us, but it hasn't worked out for any other team so far, so he might miss out this year, which is the downfall of his success last year."

Wouldn’t say so, the literally posted Exciting news on the horizon on the new year post. It’s logical that they had to wait for decisions to be confirmed at the AGM I would say.

And Zach Wajtknecht? Both haven’t ridden since 2019

The one over 8.00 says a lot for Comets team building purposes, as does the rule about returning British rider reduction of 8% for each year out. Could this mean Zach W returns with a 40% reduction on what his average was. i.e would be about 3.17

I'm sorry this comment is laughable, talk about knee jerk reactions 😂 Let's just forget about the other meetings he's raced while back home then, in some stronger fields I must add. We all like Jacob Hook, but think anyone who watches Speedway knows who the more exciting / faster / talented / rider is.

Said he had bike issues, he's had a really good set of results in Australia so far in stronger fields than the Aussie champs were today.

He did, but it read something like 'someone told me my average is 4.80' Believe his Champ average would be 7.05 and Prem 4.70

Jedd List would fit in being another Queenslander

I posted over two weeks ago, that he was the only obvious candidate that fit between 7-8 average. Was also based on him back doing Motocross and smashing the gym everyday. No rumour as such, just my logical thoughts, like everything on the forum seems to be sparked from that comment, no actual facts. The club could just as easily come out and sign three 5 point newcomers to British Speedway.

I don't think there is any worry, just shopping in a different window to other clubs. Sometimes just have to wait for the right one and get the logistics and sponsorship in place.

No, would be 0.03 over the limit I believe. Cook, Luke Harrison and Max Perry would have come to exactly 40.00 if that was the combo Harrison signed for Scunthorpe though, so can't see how Max Perry will start the season anywhere now

Ryan Ingram at reserve for Scunthorpe, and potentially a newcomer at reserve for the Comets. But agreed not many

This was going to be my exact response! Afford it? Considering that’s been the plan for the first 2 seasons back at championship level with a 3/3 hit rate of 5 point riders I don’t see why it would be a problem.

Lots of options, why would you think that?

I think Etherington would do well given the chance seems to have something about him imo, surprised I haven't seen him mentioned. I'm sure Vinnie will be able to step up to be the senior reserve next season. Etherington had some really good meetings before his injury and good battles with Cooper Rushen, including this one at Redcar where he overtook him on the last lap to win the British Youth Championship round https://www.facebook.com/100006064421687/videos/722424074092131/

Here's 3 riders for you, that I think would fit the bill; Craig Cook Nicolai Heiselberg Jamie Etherington Team total comes in under 40, what do you reckon?

Even with being a difficult character it's the best way to finish the team IMO. The partnership he had with Tate in 2024 was brilliant and they could ride together again at 3 and 4, can't see any better options or heatleaders available with the points left. If you take away the Poole away meeting where he had bike issue, his away average was just short of 9.50. We were massively lacking there last season and if we sign Vuolas his away average will be about 5 points less than that!

He's not that bad 😄strong at home at the very least

The British reduction is rounded up, i.e Perry is 2.35 - 2.5% = 0.05875, which makes .06 = 2.29 If that makes sense.

Just saying, don't think that'll happen of course. But it would make the team stronger than the one we had that qualified for the playoffs in 2024.

Don't want to sound mean, but honestly don't know how you see it like that? Morris definitely is probably the best value signing in the league but Fredriksen was dreadful away from home and Palovaara averaged below 6 when in the top order 🤷‍♂️

Who are the final 3 riders going to be then. 15.25 left. Perry 2.29 Harrison 4.97 Would leave 7.99, which is exactly what average a certain local rider would return on interestingly 🤔

Tate finished 3rd in a strong Aussie U21 championship final today. 11/12 points in qualifying heats then 3rd in the A Final. 1st Beau Bailey 2nd James Pearson 3rd Tate 4th Mitch McDiarmid

Probably on gut instinct because we watch him every week you can just tell from years of watching speedway his average of 5.57 is rather overinflated. Found these stats for his guest bookings from 2025 riding in the top order, although a small sample, they back up why he'd struggle. Averaged 2.66 when guesting in the top order, compared to when he rode at these same tracks at reserve for Workington he had multiple double figure scores.

Yes it’s a shame for the lad and I hope he gets a team place somewhere, but it shows the promotion aren’t afraid to make the hard decisions. If you compare to Etheridge, who is on a lower team building average, he rode in the middle order all season and is proven there. Jye actually averaged 7.82 at home (inc bonus) so proves how already valuable he is riding at No.4.