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Even if Hans is past his best in the Champ, I'd still sign him if he was the best option available (I don't believe he is). Saying "Comets could do better" is a perfectly sensible comment. I agree both Vissing or Rowe would be better signings than Hans.

Never understood that argument, of course he's well past his best, you don't expect to sign a current GP rider / multiple round winner in the Championship now do you? Plus at his best, Hans wouldn't fit as a 3rd heat leader in the Champ. If you had said "hope not, his average is likely to go down' - that would have made sense. I made similar comments about Iversen at Lynn "he's not the rider he once was" - of course he isn't, as he wouldn't be a 3rd heat leader / second string at his best!

If Iversen is at reserve Lynn will win the league i.e I don't expect his average to drop much at all

True, but I can't see much chance of Berge racing in the Championship

Got a better top 2 than Edinburgh, Plymouth & Scunthorpe imo

Vissing is the best option by far for me.

Average too high (6.64) Scunfield have 4.61 left, but it sounds like it'll be another 3.00 rider from the press release announcing Dicken.

But the team at the top of the league most likely have more riders that have developed. So finishing top is important as it means you've developed riders.

Blodorn's Champ ave would be 8.75, wouldn't fit for the last spot. Agree that Rew is likely to be too busy to race in the Champ.

It's certainly popular of clubs to say they weren't rated, so their achievements look even better. I remember reading non-stop comments from Middlo about how well Ben Cook was doing as a 3rd heat leader when so many people doubted he was ready for the position. 1) I don't remember hardly anyone suggesting Cook couldn't handle the 3rd heat leader role. 2) you don't need a strong 3rd heat leader to win the league (there's 7 men in the team). I feel like saying to Middlo, can't you just say Ben is doing well, without acting like it was "against all odds / proving the doubters wrong"

He could be, that's the fun part of pre-season, hoping you're team has got it right.

Were they really predicted for bottom in 2018?

Can't answer that, till we know how many points are available when the last rider is signed but Zaine Kennedy, Dan Gilkes, Jack Thomas, Ty Proctor, Adam Roynon, Stefan Nielsen. I may well have signed Liebman ahead of the bottom 3 just for the publicity, but if the first 3 fitted, wouldn't have passed them up.

Rew might improve as a rider over the season but will he surpass Vissing, who I think I better now. For example Rew has a 6.00 converted Champ ave based on his 4.00 Prem ave, which is because he can't drop below 4.00 - averaged 3.74 in 2023. Whereas Vissing has a rolling ave of 6.24, despite his 2023 form of 7.07 (8.00 home / 6.19 away). I still can't believe Glasgow dropped Vissing & would love Workington to sign him & so he can top score for a Comets away win at Ashfield. I can dream lol!

Looking at the field 4 points for Pearson is the most you could expect from a 4.1 Champ rider. So his first meetings performance is especially good. While it will be tougher stepping up to second string for the first time, the potential is there.

Rew wouldn't be a bad signing at all, still would have Vissing as my first choice though.

As Janowski has been a GP rider in those years, no reason he should get a reduction imo. As for Wethers (as well as Clegg) not a fan of giving anyone a reduction, but just feel not removing Newcastle matches from the rolling averages, would have been sensible & Wethers could gain a team place on a more realistic average.

It's a forum, are you suggesting people who have no inside knowledge shouldn't give their opinions / ideas on the final 2 riders? We'd be on page 2 not page 62, if only allowed to state facts not theories.

Years ago Tony Rickardsson started the season for Arena-Essex & maybe Oxford too. Perhaps he'd agree to join Brummies till the GPs start? Just be open & hi EST with your fans & they should at least get large crowds to see BZ for a month or so?

Only if they make the play-offs lol!

I think Hook & Joe T are almost certain to stay at reserve for Plymouth. Although I guess the number 7s average could shoot up, but fall again if he's promoted to the top 5?

Good point, I never considered how much harder it should be for a number 2 to get a decent average compared to a number 4. I tend to think about who they race against, rather than finishing behind your number one making it harder to gain points. Will Pearson be at number 2 though?

Probably MPT

Normally riders only get reductions if injured & miss a full season, unless your name is Maciej Janowski riders tend to keep the same average.

Berwick look better placed to challenge for a play-off spot than in recent years. Have strengthened their top end, while having a decent rider at reserve, especially against teams with 2 x 2.00 riders. Big key for me is Etheridge to find his best home form, big home wins = bonus points / aggregate wins.