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Solid but I still think that team is lacking a number 1. Pretty much unbeatable at home but away, question marks for me.

It really is. I’m so pleased that we are taking the development of these young lads seriously. There is a platform for some of those to become riders in the main team. Whilst I’m gutted for Andy, who is a f#####g top human being, it’s the way I’d prefer to go. Not only will that team be competitive, it’s been done with the right ethos behind it.

I thought he did the whole season?

Don’t think it’s a case of either or, at least not from my point of view, my argument is that currently Jamion is slightly ahead of Becker. I hope luke does well, it’s been a long time since an American came over and did anything of note at the top level. Once Hancock is done there will be nobody to replace the flag he’s been carrying whereas there will be many Aussies The more I think about it the more I’m inclined to believe that going to Wolves is a poor career choice for Luke.

What were their combined season ending averages?

Just as a follow up as well, I think you can make judgment with the Uk vs Poland now. I think your missing a critical part of this argument here. The premiership now, wolves apart, has 6 tracks that are not your traditional type of Uk small track. In fact we have some really, really good circuits in this league now. It’s closer to Poland than its ever been and that goes against the grain of pretty much every American rider. Hancock is hanging on for dear life trying to bring some of those American kids through the system. Australians on the other hand just fare much better. Have a look at the international teams. There is no comparison. Lidsey will pick it up, it’s essentially in his DNA to do so and 6 of the 7 tracks in the uk will aid that development massively. That he’s skipping the championship, and going straight into the premiership, this after going straight to Poland in his first European season, tells you all you need in respect of his potential vs that of Luke Becker. What did Luke average btw in Poland?

The Americans are brought on small tight tracks. The away ones in the premiership now, Becker won’t know what to do with them. Take him a season or two to find his feet. Lidsey has a higher ceiling and is coming off the back of a season in Poland on big fast tracks. Not sure what he’s on about tbh. It’s not even a debate.

I just can’t agree with that. Traditionally, how many American riders have jumped over the pond and fared better than up coming Australians? It’s rare in the extreme. Becker will struggle away from home. Lidsey, on the current premiership tracks, will be much much better.

The work needs to be structured and medically approved in terms of recuperation. I’m sure there is a plan in place there but any medical guidance will always be prone to the human element. In Dans case, that being he’s still a just a kid. A lot of 18 year olds fool around on push bikes, that type of stuff. He needs managing.

Ipswich is small as well but it has big sweeping bends nicely banked, it rides like a big track now. Gone are the days of Rye house and Lakeside, the dog track at bv etc. Peterborough is a great addition. Becker will struggle away big time. That wolves team has again been built to win at home and will be embarrassed on the road.

Becker may have done more small track but that won’t matter this year. Wolves aside, we have a lot of big tracks in the premiership. Becker will be a solid home rider. Imo he will struggle away where as Lidsey won’t

They have. I don’t disagree. His ceiling is very high. He will average over 5 imo. The top flight now has a lot of big tracks. Only Wolves will present a challenge.

The polish 3rd tier is as strong as the championship over here. So, imo, it is a lot to shout about especially when you consider it’s his first season in Poland. That type of average, in that type of league, will convert to about 5 in the premiership in a reserve berth. He’s only going to get better as well.

Lidsey is unknown, but I’d bet my mortgage he’s one of the stronger reserves in the league. He’s been hyped up and for good reason.

If you look it’s not hard to find. Pictures across social media and from what I can gather he is ahead of schedule. He will be back on the bike by January. With the NSS and Rybnik he will have plenty of opportunity to put some laps in.

I mentioned yesterday that dans biggest challenge will be how he copes mentally rather than physically. His body will be stronger, the man is now part metal. He’s got such natural ability I don’t think he will be rusty on the bike, he’s the type of rider who just sits on the thing and it goes. The fear or recurrence will be in his head and to be honest, the quicker he gets off the bike again the better because that generally cures any doubts. Like Steve said last season, he was just waiting for that first crash when he came back. Once it out of the system you can move forward. Its certainly a gamble as you say, but definitely worth the risk. If we have the Dan Bewley before the crash, that is our 3rd heat leader right there.

Now that is a quality quality team

The only risk is Dan. Otherwise, that is a play off team. Good top 2, really solid second strings of which anyone can step into 3rd heatleader. Much better reserves than last year as well. Happy overall

Okay. Perhaps he didn’t have as much sway as I suggested but the team was being built around him and Kenneth just didn’t get on with him. That’s basically the top and bottom of it. When he was talking to Peterborough there was no sign of Jason leaving for Poole. Joe and Jason had, and still have, a very good relationship so you can understand from KBs point of view, why he would want to leave. Whether you felt he owed us anything is immaterial, 2006 was a poisonous season in terms of broken relationships and as I said above, the time was right. Whats done is done. It was a long time ago. I’m glad he’s back.

Opinions will differ GP depending on who’s point of view we are looking through. It’s no secret that he didn’t get on with Joe, and I think that was the main driver for his departure. The damage was done before you arrived, and that potentially swayed his feelings towards you Chris and Gordon. The deal with Peterborough was done some time before I think, I’d heard he was going halfway through the season but that was purely speculation at the time. It was the right time for him to go, but I think he’s always enjoyed racing for the club.

A good friend of mine was one of his main sponsors at the time. I was privy to some of the happenings during that season and he was essentially forced out. Crump and Screen had full control of team affairs at that point. Said he’d never ride for that promotion again but was always happy to race at bv. Hes alright is KB, had some terrible injuries but he seems more settled at bv than anywhere else.

That depends what circles you move in.

Bridges are burnt and that is his own fault given his social media comments. Its ironic isn’t it, that he got a deal tied up with Peterborough in less than 2 days. It was almost like he was already talking to them! Hes touting himself to the highest bidder and the panthers have paid up. Had Glasgow been in the top flight, he would have been there because they’d have paid him quite handsomely for the privilege. I wish him well for the future but the time was right.

Well last season was a fair comparison in the grand scheme of things. I don’t disagree that Robert is a huge talent, which is why I pointed out that their trajectories will be poles apart this season.

Nothing harsh about the Cook comments. It’s accurate and unfortunately some people don’t want to hear it. As for Kenneth, see my earlier posts. I can only speak in respect of what he’s done in a BV race jacket, and he’s never let us down. Home or away.