szkocjasid

Oxford, Ipswich & Plymouth have had to race without their number ones. Can't see the BSPL allowing Workington to postpone a match due to missing a second string & a reserve.

Totally agree with that, Vissing is a miss, but Leibmann probably not. Can't cancel a match just for being "one rider down".

Why should Edinburgh have to call the match off? Ipswich didn't get a match cancelled when Doyle was missing, neither did Oxford without Tungate. What about fans who may have swapped around work shifts, or possibly booked hotels of travelling from Workington? Then there the Monarchs riders who flew over yesterday, who cover the cost of that flight if the meeting is cancelled & they have to race again?

I'm feel the Comets reserves are weaker than the Monarchs reserves, so would've "sacrificed" a reserve in a tough heat one, to give them a better chance in heat 2? Not saying you're idea won't work though.

I wonder if that was in anticipation of Brennan missing the match & using r/r?

I think I'd use Celina in heat 1, get practice ahead of heat 2.

Agreed, the bonus point could be vital for Leicester. I would've put Cook in heat 12, as he was the stronger reserve, if he ran a last could always use Hagon in heat 14?

Only if Workington go 6 points down.

While I agree that it's certainly unfair that clubs can drop riders but a rider will get a ban of they want to leave a club, I have no sympathy for Musielak. He said he needed a break due to injury, while still riding in Poland. Then says he's sitting out the rest of the GB season. So if he feels fit to return it should be with King's Lynn. If he's not happy there, just be honest about it.

Redcar have been told they can't sign a replacement for Bailey, do have to use guests for the rest of the season. This is where the rule is stupid, it was brought on to stop riders, signing just for the play-offs, but did they consider the consequences - injured / retiring riders not being able to be replaced.

I can understand the logic of the BSPL saying to Musielak, you can't say you have to leave Lynn because you are injured, then all of a sudden say you're fit when another club needs you. But at the same time if it's ok for clubs to drop riders, why can't riders "drop" clubs?

As at least half a dozen Oxford riders have ridden against Oxford this year, I don't imagine Killeen would've gotten much grief if he guested for the Aces. I would've picked Killeen, but can also understand why Belle Vue would choose Mulford.

Prediction: Oxford 47 Belle Vue 43

Prediction: Leicester 47 Ipswich 43

I'll go Sheffield 51-39 Lynn

Leibmann seems to be a particularly bad gater, so with Armadale not being an easy track to pass on, Monarchs should score well in heats 2, 8 & 12. Always interesting to see how new foreigners will take to the tighter tracks.

Edinburgh really should take advantage of Workington's weak reserves, especially as they have to take a r/r outing. Time for Coles (especially) & James to shine? Mind you Sam McGurk will have had a few rides round Armadale this year, so could pick up a few points.

Gotcha. The 75% average is for guests, not team positioning, so Sedgmen rides at 1, doesn't get a r/r outing. Actually helps Lynn, they're better off being able to give Basso an extra ride than Sedgmen.

There's only restrictions when a rider is "withholding his services" so as long as Klindt doesn't return to action abroad but say he's not fit enough to ride here, Lynn should have a facility till the end of the season (as I understand the rules).

Clever idea

So the club doesn't want to use r/r as it doesn't work with the current team, but neither does using guests or having a full strength team. Birmingham are awful whatever the situation, don't think r/r makes them any worse tbh. If Pawlicki rode to his potential, would make them stronger (if the team manager gave him extra rides that is)

Totally agree with you, yet often managers use r/r at 2 for the second heat leader. Waste of an extra ride for your number one to beat a RS imo.

“We look forward to welcoming Michael into the Brummies team though and we’ll look at where the team are at when Stevie has recovered from his illness.” When Worrall is fit they'll only have the choice of keeping MPT or dropping him for Worrall. They won't have the option of bringing Worrall back in place of Lampart for example.

I think r/r could work fine at 5. Use weakest option (Becker) in heat 4 as he meets a reserve, then use strongest option, once you know who that is, in heat 13.

As happens many times in speedway, rule A will be thought up to avoid a certain situation occuring, then a new flaw will occur because of rule A, so rule B is added. This continues till everyone is confused & no one is totally sure of the rules anymore.