szkocjasid

For me it looks bad that it's still listed as TBC. Why would it take so long for Poole to confirm their involvement in the KOC? Doesn't strike me as something befitting a "professional" sport!

I'm very positive, they won't have 0.96 available come July 1st. Tbh I can certainly see this team winning the league (with Cairns).

Someone previously suggested racing the Poole vs Sheffield tie as the last QF match, this way Poole can use Lawson, Kerr, Cook, Rowe & pick 3 riders who have already been knocked out of the competition. That seems the best solution here.

Having their own 7 riders would be ideal, but given that Poole left the AGM as "provisionally" in the Prem KOC, shows they aren't going to do anything that doesn't suit them. If they were told they can't use Lawson, Zach Cook & Rowe, they'd probably just say no to the KOC. It sounds like the Premiership wanted Poole I'm the tournament, so they'll have to make concessions for them to agree.

There's no chance they'll sign 7 riders who don't ride in the Premiership. For a start they'll want Poole riders in the team to help the home crowd. Besides, I have no memory of a rider being cup tied when he's left one club to go to another mid-season, so assume this'll follow that "ruling"?

My thinking is based on Nicol averaging 5.10 in league matches for Glasgow, but having a GSA of 5.95 (10 match rolling aves in that season). Looking at his rolling aves he improved from 2021 to 2022 (5.45 - 5.95) but counting all his league matches he dropped from 5.50 to 5.10. Given he averaged 5.23 for Wolves in the Prem the previous year, you could have expected more in the Champ? As he'd been a 5 point rider for 3 straight years after his debut season, I think that's his level. Not saying he'd be a bad signing, but ideally look for someone who is more likely to improve? Just noticed Ruml's average was similar 5.47 (10 match rolling ave), but 4.84 for the season. But as that was his second season he was still on a upwards curve & hadn't levelled off.

On a 5.95 average I'd see him struggling to reach that. Feel Dillon Ruml on 5.47 would be a better option.

For all we know Palm-Toft & Sedgmen wanted to return but Birmingham may be looking for stronger replacements? Don't think you can blame Birmingham for Lindgren, Lampart etc not wanting to race in GB. If the issue was specific to Birmingham, they would've joined another club. No doubt the biggest loss is Brennan not wanting to return.

While that's true, Starke racing at reserve for Poole should score more than he did for Glasgow. Would be surprised if his average went above Thomsen's.

I can't imagine why anything should change, if Workington weren't happy they should have brought it up before the rules were agreed & announced. Now some riders have 2 clubs, can't see how anything can change. Certainly Leicester's southern based riders won't want it to.

Someone previously mentioned Nicolai Klindt, but with his high average, think it's the weakest suggested team yet. Nicolai Klindt 9.88 Ben Barker 5.87 Joe Thompson 5.63 Alfie Bowtell 5.07 Mitchell Cluff 5.00 Lasse Fredriksen 4.67 Roynon / Trigger 3.46 / 3.00 Total 39.58 / 39.12

Justin Sedgmen averaged 6.18 (6.79 with bonus) in his 7 Birmingham matches this year. The fact he's available on 4.79 makes him a very useful signing, especially when you consider he could start at reserve (his above average was in the top 5). But that potential gain for the team will be nullified of they can't build to the points limit.

Only if they didn't have a Championship team. They can't double up.

You could say Leicester are technically going with 3 green reserves. Be tough for whoever starts in the top 5.

I agree, was just replying to wether Bowtell / Joe could race NDT. However Joe may do it, if Plymouth needs a heat leader & to get some "paid practice" to help his Championship form?

I had forgotten about that!

1) I knew Pearson didn't want to ride for a weekend track, wasn't sure if he'd want to join a mid-week track though. 2) Joe T can double up in the NDT team, but Bowtell can't. 3) Given that that team comes to 41.86, I would expect it to surprise a few lol!

If Birmingham are struggling to find riders, may have been able to convince him to do a U-turn?

Kinda hope this isn't the team, does not look good. Nico Covatti 7.82 Ben Barker 5.87 Joe Thompson 5.63 James Pearson 5.51 Alfie Bowtell 5.07 Mitchell Cluff 5.00 Lasse Fredriksen 4.67 Total 39.57

Another advantage of going to Poole is extra fixtures, each year they make the play-offs, BSN & koc finals. If riders are confident they'll be near the top, they'll earn more but virtue of riding more.

Not just the riders, clubs don't want to race off their alternative race night. Redcar for example, mentioned racing 6 non-fridays would lose them money.

So potentially Tobiasz Musielak 8.21 Matej Zagar 7.20 Jonas Jeppesen 6.00 Steve Worrall 5.69 Keynan Rew 5.67 Justin Sedgmen 4.79 Jason Edwards RS Total 37.56 Not sure of Jeppesen's average?

To be fair, he didn't say he thought Cairns would be at Workington, just asked about it.

I guess you could argue as it's a development league, there's no reason to lower his average. Focus in bringing riders on rather than if the team is good enough to win the league? However 5 or so years ago a few riders came in on lower averages, Luke Clifton for example, so rules should be consistent.

I would say not necessarily, they still have made some good signings. Should make the top 4, even without Cairns. But they would probably struggle to win the play-offs without him.