waiheke1

Let's face it he could have ridden a few more seasons and churned out top 8 spots. But it was noticeable that extra edge, the mentsl hardness needed to be world champion seemed to have gone - in 50/50 situations you just had the feeling he would take the safe option. One of the top 10 riders of all time imo, certainly he could come back and be an el heatleader but best to stay retired imho.

Because it makes sense to risk your most lucrative contract?

The fact that he says Andersen the same as Fricke last season, but actually Hans averaged around 0.7 more. The fact that he highlights that Andersen didn't rise all his meetings as a HL last year (implying that that boosted his average), but neglects to mention that while Hans rode less than 10% of his meetings as a 2nd string, Fricke rode 70% of his meetings as a second string. Gavan makes plenty of good and reasonable points, but its very rare for there not to be some dig at Poole at least in every 2nd post, whatever the topic. FWIW, I'd rather have Fricke back at Belle Vue than Hans as well!

One of the best value publications of any type imo

Tbf steve that is a false argument. Picking one rider over another isn't just based on who is the better rider, but also other factors such as who offers better value on their starting average and who will be available for more fixtures.

In case this is aimed at me, as I used that phrase, I'm an aces fan.

Because if you were being unbiased, why would you mention Hans riding dome meetings as a 2nd string but fail to mention that fricke did also. And why focus on the 0.07 gap in rollung averages rather than the 0.7 gap over the season. Fwiw I think fricke will score roughly the same as Hans this season - no issue with you thinking fricke will score more. Similarly it's possible that worrall will outscore kurtz. But i'm amazed anyone thinks cook will average close to what kk does this year. Your entitled to your view that that aces trio is as strong as the Poole trio, but I reckon you are the only one. I'd be very happy if they prove me wrong on the track.

Andersen averaged over half a point more than fricke last season. And fricke rode more meetings as 2nd string than Hans. Your using very selective facts to pursue your anti poole agenda

Kk is better than cook. Fricke and Andersen I think will be about the same. I expect kurtz will outperform s worrall in the 3rd hl spot. I don't expect aces will be bottom 2 unless they name a surprisingly awful side. Even a top 5 of say cook fricke worrall X2 Jacobs I think would be strong enough at home to see aces finish ahead of somerset and Leicester. But to say if aces will struggle then poole will is ridiculous. Poole have clearly one of the top 2 sides.

2nd behind nicki in 07. 3rd behind t rick and crump in 05. Agree, hard to say unlucky just didn't quite do enough in the gp's.

His record in the 70s is comparable to pc imo. I'd rank him 4th best rider of the 70s behind those 3.

And poolesS worrall will surely be the 3rd hl though?

If you went back to say 1985, my guess would be that the percentage of English riders in the top flight is roughly the same, so not sure what you mean by "anymore."How many EL standard brits are without an el team place? Lawson bridger r worrall if not included at belle vue? Anyone else? All personal opinions but I thought the elite league last year was excellent in terms of racing quality, I'd be surprised if it's as good this year.And out of the teams named, aren't roughly half the riders brits?

Agree with thr first part.On the 2nd part, the fairest thing to do would have been to use SCB weighted El averages and a suitable conversion for riders who only rode pl. Richie is horrible value on that average but atvthe same time I'd be happy enough to see him back in aces colours.

surely "weaker" means less strong. And SCB has inidciated that the quality of rider has dropped by around 20%, which seems about right. Personally, i think the racing will be less close than last year. Firstly, you have some number 7s who are considerably weaker than any 2016 EL rider. Secondly, the much maligned EL heat format of the last couple of seasons did - most of the time - throw similarly matched riders against each other every heat. This was evidenced in the grouping of riders in the 5-7 point average range, as in any given heat pretty much anyone could beat anyone. That wont be the case this year. I also don't see the teams being more evenly matches this year than last year, there ar stong looking teams (relatively speaking) and some weak ones.

Reckon they will finish bottom. Would be happy to see that 7 racing each week, but having racers won't help without changes to the track. Reckon they are stronger than say Somerset, but with less home advantage and not strong enough to win away.

To be pedantic he never won the blrc. But agree he still had a good record, though his career as a top rider was over in early 84 at 26? years of age.But compare what lee won to what say Mauger or nielsen or gundersen won. No question that Lee was a greater talent, yer he won far less than those riders who combined talent with dedication.

Ok terracing, semantics surely.My point is - if most weeks they got less than 1800 fans, why rent the South TERRACING and west STAND? Why not pack them into the grandstand? As for toilets, I can find steel portaloo for under a hundred quid a week for a block of five. Therefore I struggle to see how they should have been paying more than say five hundred quid per home meeting or say 10k per season excluding playoffs and swc?

ok so what is the 65k that Phil riding refers to as the cost from March to October to rent the South terracing? And the 18k he mentions for the East stand? 10k per month for toilets also seems ludicrously high?

Ok just read online the grandstand capacity is 1800. So Why wouldn't it have been viable to not hire the other temporary seating except for the play offs? Am I missing something? Ok just read online the grandstand capacity is 1800. So Why wouldn't it have been viable to not hire the other temporary seating except for the play offs? Am I missing something?

What would the capacity have been without the temporary south terracing which you day cost 65k and the East terracing that cost 18k I.e. what is the grandstand capacity? Would it have been viable to run with only the grandstand, which if it holds 1500-2000 may have been a better option?

What would have been the capacity without the temporary seating? Would it not have made sense to hire some/all of that for the swc and play offs only?

Surely Mike lee is the prime example of someone who should have spent more time in the gym, if only to keep him out of trouble! Similar to Darcy, both naturally skinny blokes, who would have achieved so much more had they been as dedicated as other less gifted riders. Time in the gym may not habr made those two better riders but as much as anything the gym work is surely part of the psychological preparation and cutting out vices that may impact on your career on the long term.

I'd say also as ei Addio alluded to earlier, today's top riders can stay at the top much longer.

It's not just speedway though, it's every sport. You don't get cricketers or rugby players with beer bellies these days, you don't get footballers who drink a dozen pints after a game. So yes I agree that all sports people are becoming less like "your average bloke", but at the same time if a sports person did neglect that side of things you can be sure they would get grief from fans if under performing. Just as if someone turned up with only one bike and suffered regular mechanical issues they'd get a hard time from the same supporters who want a return to the old days when riders spent far less on bikes and maintenance.