waiheke1

No way, by any metric, was Phil Crump top 10 of the 1980s – the only seasons he would have been in the top 10 in the world were 81 and 84, so not even close to the top ten for the decade. Disagree also with Andersson, Wigg and probably Sanders. For me it’s Nielsen, Penhall, Gundersen as a clear top three; then Lee, Carter, S Moran; then four from Knudsen, Sigalos, Jan O, Ermolenko, Morton and Jessup (and maybe Sanders). Jessup is an odd one in that he was the best rider in the world in 1980, a top ten rider in 1981 (where but for ef he likely would have landed a second consecutive silver medal) – but not world class after that. Morton is the opposite, consistent throughout the decade. If I refer back to season by season rankings I did a few years back, then the top ten riders based on their best five seasons across the decade were (and noting Penhall rode only in three seasons): Nielsen, Penhall, Gundersen, Carter, S Moran, Lee, Knudsen, Sigalos, Jan O, Ermolenko. That list would have Morton (11th), Andersson (13th), Sanders (14th), Crump (17th), Wigg (19th). If you were to base the list on top three seasons (i.e. rewarding “peak performance”) the only change to the riders in the top ten is Jessup in for Ermolenko.

Shawn Moran

Quite like this, but I don't think they've got the format for deciding the winner right. Points should carry forward to the final- make the final worth double points if concerned there is a risk the result is already decided- so that there is an advantage to team qualifying top, and not just a "win by not filling last place" in the final.

And '85 Tatum the only Brit at Odsal

The four Poles qualified, only one Brit did. Bewley is one of my favourite riders, but he doesn't deserve a WC for next year. Maybe ready in 2024?

Vaculik will get a pick because he is in the top 10-12 riders in the world, not because he is Slovakian. The only way imo he wouldn't get a pick would be if he was Polish.

No way Smoli should be anywhere near a wildcard picj

Can someone please tell these two that FRICKE DOES NOT NEED A BLOODY WILDCARD!!!

Looks like 8 points will be enough for a spot on the semis, maybe even 7, so wouldn't wrote Laguta off yet. Not convinced Batortoz will finish top two in the final. Would rather see Bartosz do it, by far the more exciting of the two, and already one of the all-time greats - BUT Laguta has been the best rider in GPS this year. Freddie with lingering effects from that horror crash? Lambert surely secured his wildcard this weekend. Tai doing enough to show if he remains injury free he could push for another World title in the next couple of years. Happy to see Emil look like making it back to the podium

Thanks. That could be the one, just watched the first three heats and plenty of passing in those.

There was a meeting there a few years back, maybe a SEC round, that was the best meeting I've ever seen. Maybe someone on here remembers that meeting and can post a link.

Ditto. Tbf, Shawn's record is significantly better than Kelly's, I guess those rating Kelly higher base it on natural ability rather than achievement. But Shawn was imo one of the top half dozen riders of the 80s, Kelly was probably top 20.

It's often been debated on here who is the best rider never to win the world title, and I don't think Mort is a genuine contender for that "title." But best rider never to finish on the podium (and i exclude riders who rode in years where there was no world championship) - Mort would be one of the very top in that category, maybe along with Darcy Ward, who would have a very different kind of claim.

Fully agree: would definitely put him ahead of L Collins, King, Doncaster, Wigg and probably Sanders, Muller and Tatum, all of whom made the podium in the 80s. Morts race with Shirra was about the only one worth watching from that meeting from memory....

You don't win a world final without making gates, especially on the generally rubbish tracks that world finals were on in the 80s. Norden in 83 was probably his best chsnce for a podium finish, but the watering of the track at the interval killed his chances. The IC and BLRC final wins, as well as his WTC Final performances in 80/81 showed that he could be absolutely world class on his day - but there wasn't a season he was in the top 3 riders in the world, though he would have been in the top 10 for several seasons

In all honesty I'd rather see Pedersen, Holder or Kubera in the series than Thomsen - but none have compelling arguments, and for varying reasons, I don't see any of them getting a pick.

This is 6th in the Ekstraliga averages, averaging more in the GPs than Thomsen and Lambert "mediocre" Vaculik? I don't believe he is in the series for commercial reasons at all - far less so than Lambert, Thomsen, and with a much better case for a wildcard. Out of interest, who would you put in instead?

And because you (mostly) couldn't rewatch meetings later, likely we tended to remember the good races and forget the dull ones. I think also our expectations on entertainment have risen overtime.

He's been in the GPs and top ten in Polish averages, i think he's already in the shop window. Would be amazed if he misses out. SON pick must be 50/50 though.

Bewley may get a pick as a reserve? Kubera, J Holder, Bewley, Lebedevs?

I disagree. Poorly marketed product, high cost compared to alternative entertainment, meeting presentation 30 years out of date, dated stadia, lack of household names/world class riders, tracks that don'tproduce good racing...these are all far bigger issues than doubling up imo.

Yeah, on merit a couple of Poles might get them, but can't see it happening. J Holder and Nicki P are probably the next best options, but neither has really provided a compelling case. I'm pretty sure Lambert will get one - young, British, improving, top ten in Ekstraliga. Of the five I've suggested, I believe only Thomsen is at risk of not getting one.

Anyone other than Mads Doyle Lambert Vaculik Thomsen that people think have a realistic chsnce? A token Swede instead of Thomsen?

Thanks. Have to say, i'd prefer top 8 plus three picks, though doubt it will make much/any difference

It would be nice, but unfortunately for young promising Polish riders the fact there are already 4 Poles in the series almost certainly means it won't happen