PHILIPRISING

AND who makes the top eight ...

ALL hypothetical at the moment. If, for example, Ward gets six months, backdated to when his suspension starts, he could conceivable get a wild card but his chances would be greatly reduced if Batchelor and Holder both finish in the top eight. Four Aussies in the series? Unlikely, Ward could be the wild card Down Under with a view to getting back in 2016.

NO ... goes before FIM disciplinary board but WADA can still intervene if they disapprove of the decision

SKIDDER is correct ... hearing in November

YOU are right New Science but the injury to Iversen and the suspension of Ward have dramatically changed the landscape and thrown a lifeline to Jonsson and Lindgren in particular.

IF Hampel, and one or both of Jonsson and Lindgren finish in the top eight it will allow BSI/FIM more wiggle room in their wild card selections. Tomas H Jonassson didn't exactly enhance his prospects either in Lonigo or Stockholm. If Batchelor gets back into the top eight would probably rule Ward out for a wild card whether he is banned or not. Right now the only sure fire bet is Iversen. So much can still happen in Torun where almost every race will have something literally riding on it. HAMPEL may not be the most exciting rider to watch but he is a really, really nice guy who has been through the ringer off the track recently. Kaspzrak paid a lovely and touching tribute to his Polish colleague at the post GP press conference and Hampel admitted that in recent weeks he has found out who his true friends are. Apparently some sections of the Polish media have been less than kind...

THINK Hampel needs to put in a strong performance tonight or in Torun. Deserves a wild card on his record but not if the Hampel we have seen in the second half of the year is the one who will ride in 2015. That would be a waste in my opinion and I am a big fan of the guy.

HE wasn't breathalyser because anyone smelt drink on him ... his number was randomly chosen at the Jury meeting prior to the event.

Mr Burbidge's knuckles will be duly rapped...

Yes he is...

THE finishing order in the 2013 Challenge was used down to Michael Jepsen Jensen with Smolinski, Harris and Batchelor having already gaining SGP places despite not finishing in the top three. For the final three SGP meetings this year the FIM decided to nominate a rider ... Beck in Vojens, Nilsson in Stockholm and who knows who in Torun. Re SGP reserves... once a rider has signed on (either before practice or before 4pm on race day) he can only be replaced by a reserve (as was the case with Woffinden in Gorzow). Hancock did not sign on but didn't officially withdraw until Saturday when it was deemed too late to find a rider other than one of the reserves,

AS the Russian federation are members of the FIM, maybe that question should be aimed at Geneva A few?

WHEN compiling the programme for Stockholm was told that as Ward was only suspended and could conceivably still ride if his ban was lifted, MJJ was in fact replacing the injured Iversen. When the programme went to press we still weren't able to include Kim Nilsson as the replacement for Ward although we knew it would be him. MJJ will continue to replace Iversen in Torun and a substitute for Ward, should one be required, will be named later and most likely be a Polish rider.

SAYFUTDINOV and the Laguta brothers have refused to ride in the SWC because they have no support from the Russian federation.

MJJ is actually replacing Iversen ... Kim Nilsson replaces Ward assuming (and this is not as mad as it might sound!) Ward is still suspended

RUSSIAN federation provide no help for Emil or any of their riders for that matter. That's one reason why they have no competed in the SWC of late.

WARD hasn't actually been banned yet of course...

BUT you don't think that he should have been dealt with a little more leniently given, as you say, lack of intent, and his age?

POSTED earlier that as of last Friday no word from the FIM (and the question was asked) whether they would determine his fate or if it would go before the World Doping Authority.

SOON after the final GP in Torun HAVE had a chat with Emil and tried my hardest but he (and his manager) still think he should decline an invitation and go through the 2015 rounds. Sad ... personally think he is a bigger loss than Ward. TOO soon for Zmarzlik in my view. If not Hampel (and I think he will get the nod) would go for Piotr Pawlicki if it is another Pole.

Much will probably revolve around whether or not one or both of Jonsson and Lindgren make the top eight. If not Tomas H Jonasson might get the call. Still think Hampel might get one in light of his record over many years. He was, after all, World No 2 last year. Iversen will surely get one now.

NO...

DON'T think Doyle would be out of his depth in SGP but if Holder and Batchelor make top eight would make it tough giving Ward a wild card even if he was free of suspension

AGREE wholeheartedly with your last comment.