PHILIPRISING

ADMIT he's a mate but always felt Tetum could have won at Bradford ... the track really suited him but he got shafted by Hans (a friend!) in a vital heat.

OUT of interest (or boredom - it's raining) who would you consider to be the best riders in 1990n and 1994?

EXISTING contract so would assume that is exempt... Or a certain Russian...

NOT sure BSI/IMG are worried about Russians as such. No TV deals there, no commercial gain. But Emil will put bums on seats anywhere in my opinion. In fact, I did hear a whisper that European companies could be barred from being involved with events in Russia as part of the recent sanctions imposed by the EU. Haven't seen any confirmation as yet...

THAT'S what we understand...

IF messrs Ward, Woffinden and Pedersen do, in fact, miss this week's SGP in Gorzow, Michael Jepsen Jensen will automatically get one place. Would like to see Piotr Pawlicki get a go. A good show could earn him a wild card pick for 2015. And, out of centre field, give Emil a call... you never know he might get a taste for it again and change his mind over a place next year.

PM me if you want some guest passes ...

ARE you going from Berlin by road? Much easier drive now than it used to be. Takes us about two hours from Tegel. Gorzow hardly the most attractive town on the calendar but a great speedway stadium.

CONFIRMATION if any was actually required that Piotr Pawlicki is the pick of the Under 21s around the speedway globe right now

If he still has his licence then, of course, he will be able to compete ... will be shocked if the FIM haven't come to a verdict by then however. But they need to provide sufficient time for Michael Jepsen Jensen to prepare should he be required. Of course, there us now the possibility that Nicki Pedersen won't be fit enough for Gorzow. Who's next?

SOME very promising kids there ... how lovely it would be if some at least continue coming through the ranks and into the SGP where new faces are required asap

AS I said previously, these drug tests are unannounced beforehand and not publicised afterwards unless they are positive. Will ask some of the non Brits in Gorzow next weekend whether they have been tested this year

THINK I had better quit while I'm behind...

ANY positive alcohol or drug test results are made public so on the evidence of what we know would suggest not much of a problem. Speedway riders like other professional athletes are subject to random tests at any time in any place and know of a few that have taken place this year, including on Woffinden, and all clean.

WASN'T that bad!

GETS right up my nose...

HAVE been out all day so only just caught up... if I have offended some on here with comments about the benefits of TravelPlus then I apologise. That certainly wasn't my intention and just to reiterate anything I do write on here is not coming from the lips of BSI or anyone else.

I DID enquire about this and the answer was that they are awaiting the official word from the FIM which still wasn't forthcoming as of this afternoon. Doesn't really explain why the reason for Ward's disqualification on Sunday wasn't mentioned.

STILL think that a suspended sentence with mandatory drugs tests for at least a year would serve him and the sport better...

DON'T agree ... just look into Tai or Niels's eyes. They are knackered. And never go along with this 'not having their best equipment' argument. Riders don't deliberately have bad bikes in one country or another. At any given time one may not perform as well as another but generally it is the rider not the machine.

BUT you get a whole host of benefits from a registered travel company and many other extras for which hundreds of speedway fans are happy to go the extra mile financially ... People make their choice and on this occasion those with TP will feel that their money was well spent.

AGREE screm but if the substance in question didn't enhance his performance and it was an honest mistake, if that isn't a contradiction in terms, then maybe a suspended suspension would be acceptable?

AS I say, do sympathise with those who couldn't make alternative arrangements. Fully accept that many like to make their own arrangements but once again the value of going with TravelPlus was quickly evident. James Easter ensures there is flexibility in their trips in the event of what we saw in Riga. His punters were not scheduled to fly until Monday so instead of a city tour of the capital on Sunday their coaches were able to travel to Dauigavpils and back without any great hassle. Also, it would be wrong to think that the re-arrangement wasn't a very costly exercise for the FIM, BSI and of course the actual promotion.

POSTED elsewhere that like Woffinden think Niels is feeling the strain of his racing schedule.

WOULDN'T be the first to unintentionally take a banned substance as part of an otherwise legitimate medicine. Hope he is dealt with leniently. I know ignorance is no excuse but still not sure how this can be deemed to have enhanced his performance on a speedway bike.