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Of course everyone has differing opinions, but I think Berwick look a strong team at home this year.

If there's a rider shortage then having a low limit makes sense, means clubs have to use NL riders to compete. If the limit is higher, the richest clubs can pick more heat leaders & weaker clubs can't compete & we get another league of the haves & have nots like last year. This year's limit seems to have worked well, Plymouth had a team (till an injury occured) and there are plenty sub 6.5 riders for Workington to choose from.

I think many have far too high expectations of Kemp. Last year at Scunthorpe he averaged less than 5.5, while racing plenty of meetings from the easy number 7 position. So to expect him to get near that from a tougher position in a higher division (getting stronger) is a near impossible ask imo. I certainly hope he can do it, would be great news for GB.

If true can't see the logic in that. Now that clubs have far fewer fixtures should be easier to find dates, unless you're at Poole who make all the finals. If Newman held his testimonial at Plymouth no such worries about spare dates there. Also what if clubs don't have planning permission to race on Sundays?

Horrific pictures, get well soon Nico

Number 6 is far harder than number 7, so if Kemp can reach 4.00 he'll have done well imo

Can't disagree with anything you've said, good comments

Wolves were allowed a facility for Becker despite him starting the season injured so were Scunny when Zaine Kennedy didn't arrive, but Plymouth were not allowed a facility for Dan T when he got injured before making his debut for them. I assume Scunthorpe & Wolves got "special dispensation" because Becker & Kennedy had ridden for them in the previous season?

I'm sure it's the promoters who vite for the rules regarding missing riders, so they won't have too harsh a rule i.e having to use a 3.00 NL rider in case it ever happens to them!

There's no such rule as NL guest anymore, if you don't qualify for a facility then they'd be able to use a guest up to 75% of Kemp's average.

I'm sure Edinburgh had planned to use Sam Masters, was there a late visa issue? This led to the last minute signing of Vissing. Fans aren't so used to that happening now, hence the worry / panic by some

That makes a lot more sense, agree with that

Do you think Leicester will have a strong number 6? Kemp is on a par with Mountain in the Champ, but agree he's quite a bit stronger than Edwards.

It's funny when you mention Masters as a true "number one" i always think of that as a 9+ rider, but if he's been one of the top 6/7 riders in the league, then I guess he was a "true number one". I'm assuming for Lynn you meant they only have one real number one? Which is why you didn't put them in the top 4, I guess you could argue so do Oxford & Leicester who you've placed above them? For the Brummies even if Brennan does improve to be a heat leaders still think there too far behind the others to be anything other than 7th, hopefully could help them win a few home matches though. On the whole, can't disagree with any of your predictions.

Would love to see Matty Wethers get a chance to resume his British career.

Riders wanting a full time spot wouldn't agree to a temporary gig unless all the team spits were taken, but if riders like Rowe or Gilkes just wanted to do Prem & Poland, they may agree to a temporary place?

I don't understand any suggestions that Redcar could have avoided this or suggestions they've made a mistake by signing an injured rider. Every year teams start with riders who didn't complete the previous season. What would the alternative be? Don't sign riders till they have proved their fully fit (which may not be till March)? So we could potentially have a dozen riders with no teams because they weren't fit in December when teams were signed! Where will these replacements come from anyway, it's not like there's that many available riders without teams to replace Janowski, Klindt, Wright, Woffinden, Gilkes, Perry, Mulford & Jorgensen for example. Redcar are unfortunate, but all they can do is go off the medical advice at the time, that TJ would be fit in March.

Have to agree, even if they only signed a 4.9 rider & finished 2 points below the limit, don't expect them to drop someone else before the season starts.

Now they've signed Perry, the comment about Wood of "It's a big year for Dayle and if the team is going to be successful we will need him to perform at a heat leader level" seems more odd. Perry, Coles & McGurk must be the strongest heat leader trio in the league.

Looks a really good team (in a weaker league) one of the favourites imo

Delighted there's an extra place for qualifiers & one less wild card

It does mean the rider 2nd fastest in practice could earn 0 extra points, while someone finishing 13th gets an extra point.

Honestly it's tough trying to be positive for Birmingham lol! For the sake of their future, I'm probably being generous towards their chances.

To me what's worse is the inconsistency, Pedersen rode on an average that was 12 years old. Woffinden, Lidsey, Kasprzak & Jakobsen kept the same averages. Janowski's was lowered, but Pawlicki & Milik's were increased.

Being positive means I'm hoping Brummies will win half their home matches, being negative would be me thinking they'll score 40 at home each week & 30 away each week. Still think they'll finish bottom.