TheReturn

ok. And the two times Doyle went down?

I thought it was just Poole fans that cheered when a rider goes down.

Absolutely. I think Doyle deserves such credit for staying loyal to British speedway.

Not read for a long time TBH, I found the last time I picked up a copy randomly from some shop I didn't expect to stock it the news was (by that point) old and more about club and BSI party lines press snippets, rather than it feeling like independent, thought provoking opinions that fans could relate to. I think Pearson was in that edition, and one of many reasons I don't like his commentary is that he doesn't have a fan opinion, he's a talking/walking BSPA/BSI mouthpiece. I also felt there was far too much grasstrack stuff which didn't interest me (I accept it will many). Maybe it's nostalgia, back in the day when Long Eaton were around (shows how long ago I had a subscription), back then it felt relevant, and it felt (but maybe I am wrong) like there were opinions (not always in agreement, but that's fine), but generally it felt like fans were being represented. Obviously rider interviews have always been pretty good, with great images and that was still good in the last time I read a copy. Not that I expect anybody to listen or change the content of the magazine, but I hope this is constructive feedback which you can use to guide you what this fan (and I guess some others too) might like to see in the magazine if I was buying on a regular basis.... Apologies if you do now do any of these. Less grasstrack (as mentioned above - but some may like) Less of a focus on previous weeks results (internet means that's kind of not needed anymore), but more focus on what's actually going on at clubs/teams with interviews and editorial pieces. Bigger feature on the Polish and Swedish scene. Not just results, but interviews and features to help us understand the scene over there. After all, it's where speedway is right now. Focus on a different team each week, team pictures, history of that club, how to get there if visiting, where to stay, transport links etc etc. Historical look back at 70s, 80s, 90s looking at existing and defunct clubs. Interviews with stars of those era's. I know Backtrack does that but as a fan who doesn't have a team anymore that would be relevant to me and encourage me to buy more frequent. Technical features, maybe looking at different parts of a parts of bikes and types of bikes (maybe monthly if not weekly). That is one area where Kelvin's knowledge is fascinating on commentary. Rider and key people interviews are great, generally I always thought Star got them right mostly (depending who is interviewing), but should also be honest rather than bland PR pieces. Weekly (or monthly) thought from editors on what the sport/British speedway is getting right and wrong and maybe a fans forum views to comment to ensure wide ranging thought provoking piece. Maybe regular features looking at behind the scenes (i.e. follow a busy rider for a week to see how they get from country to country, how they remain fit with so much travel. How does a club prepare a track, How does BSI convert say Cardiff for a SGP etc, etc). My own view is thought provoking, if controversial always makes for a great read. (but not Piers Moron deliberate controversial comments for click bait.)

Money on One Trick Nigel starting with "Natalie, Thank You...". Every week, same weird hand over greeting. About heat 4 for a Cradley reference.

Last night a couple of riders from the same team came together on the first bend, one went down and was excluded. Kelvin said the referee was harsh and should be all 4 back. Kelvin was right in that there was enough contact between the two riders to normally suggest all 4 back. However, my question is this. When the coming together is two riders from the same team, where there is no knock on effect from the opposition, it would be unfair on the other team if all 4 back was applied because two riders from the same team could not get it right between them. So in such scenario, should ref's be encouraged to exclude one rider, rather than all 4 back?

Bit of a farce last night. Others have suggesting rushing through the season to ensure play-off in summer. I am not sure we need to go that far, but without questions play-off's should NOT be in October. Yes some years will be lucky with dry weather, but it will be cold. But this is the UK and October likely to give rain in October more often than not. I would suggest we ensure all league fixtures completed by the middle of August, with the play off's in late August/September. Yes it can rain in September too, but there's better chance of dry and warmer weather than October. October can be used for backup if September does prove to be a washout.

Have a word with yourself. It's not disgusting at all to question the decision. Yes he finished 5th in 2018, and is a former world champion, so what? By the start of the first 2020 GP that will be what, 18ish months later? Which brings me back to the point I have been making, somebody has decided that Hancock is still amongst the best 15 riders in the world, but based on what? It's not based on speed, averages, 2019 results, it's based on marketing and/or nostalgia and that's a dangerous precedent to set for what is meant to be the best of the best. This.... Sometimes injuries and bad luck mean you will not get your seat at the top table. A real sportsperson would want to prove themselves by qualifying, not by being gifted. If wildcards have to be offered, they should only be offered for a qualification meeting, not the series itself.

Another rain off... Who would have thought, important speedway fixtures in the UK in October being rained off.

I seem to recall some said that about Woffy the year he was given a wildcard. Lambert always looked well on the pace this year, and had he been given a wildcard and a full winter to prepare and perhaps less meetings then who knows maybe he would be more competitive. But no, they have given it a 50 year old rider whose not ridden competitively in what 12+ months?

Not a surprise, but this from the SGP website says it all. Hancock is set for an historic return to speedway in a year, which will see him become the first 50-year-old to compete in the SGP series, when he celebrates his half-century on June 3, 2020. This is not a sporting decision, this is a marketing decision. If we are going purely from sport, there is literally zero evidence that he is capable of competing after what, 15-16 months out of the saddle? Whilst I am not a fan after his pathetic bullying campaign against Nicki, I truly hope that he can compete otherwise it will prove the mockery of the system. So many questions... How much will they hype his age up next season? How much influence do Monster have in this process? Was that the real reason Monster flew him over to Cardiff? Is he definitely riding? Because if not it will be unfair on the reserve call-up if that rider gets told he's riding the series at the very last minute.

I still think a much fairer and sporting way of doing this (if we have to have wildcard picks) is the wildcard picks (extended to those who failed to make top 8 and other wildcards) have to race off at the start of 2020... let them earn their place.

I agree, but he's not ridden for an entire year. He may well be good enough, but we simply don't know and because he did not ride for a non speedway injury, he should not be given a wildcard. The reason he did not ride is sad, but this is meant to be the best speedway riders right now, and we simply do not know if Hancock is that. As I have said multiple times on here, look at how much Woffy struggled after just 2 GPs out injured. God forbid this happens, but let's say Hancock gets injured early season and can not ride for the rest of the season, and/or comes back to league racing but is average at best, but says he wants to ride in 2021. Do we then gift him another wildcard then simply because he's an ex world champion?

Results wise, but he's always been on the pace. But one problem was the amount of racing he's had to do because of his unexpected SGP call up. If we are gifting wildcards then why not Lambert instead of Hancock, he's the future.

After a year out? Gifting a wildcard now (for non speedway injury) would be a 'mockery' of the sport. If we are going to gift wildcards to ex world champions, why not Nicki? Yes I know that is ridiculous, but so is your argument.

Why Hancock? I am just amazed everyone saying he is a banker... judging by the Monster PR stunt of bringing him to Cardiff, he may well be offered a place but if that happens it makes a mockery of the sport. It would be a 'mates gift sentimental wildcard', not based on sporting justification. He's 50, he's missed a season and as of a couple of weeks ago he could not even say if he would be able to ride. If he is offered a wildcard, he needs to be given a deadline to commit to be fair to any replacement.

I still remain convinced there is no justification for an aging Hancock, he will not add anything to the SGP. However, I guess that was why Monster ensure he was in Cardiff to go on TV to say he wants a place.

FFS. Instead of letting hear the Polish crowd bring him home we had to listen to that idiot shouting. He really is a woeful commentator.

FFS why does Pearson have to confuse with his weird scoring comments. Just before heat 20, if Bartosz wins this then Madsen will need to do X,Y,Z. Why not wait 60 seconds until after the race when you have the hear result and then say what Madsen needs to do.

I have to say I was gutted for Poole.... Wait... No I wasn't

Forecast certainly showing rain in the area Thursday.

I am not sure I would agree with that, and I am a Tai fan. I thought since his injury he's been an average rider, but not good (and I say that as a Tai fan). As others have said, Tai right now is not top 8 on points or form, but certainly top 15 material so no question of a wildcard place. I do believe he's done enough to earn a wildcard if you take his injury into account and most likely by his own admission coming back at least one GP too soon. But this proves my point with regards Hancock, if Tai is struggling like this after 2 GPs out, I don't think they could justify giving Hancock a wildcard. I suspect, partly why he was in Cardiff as a PR push for a wildcard place.

He's not ridden in over a year, so there's no credible case to suggest he is capable of still being in the top 15 in the world as things stand right now. He might be that good still, but we simply so not know. A wildcard can NOT be justified taking time out and age into account. Still, I see Monster Energy have flown him over to Cardiff...doesn't hurt to remind BSI how popular Hancock is with some.

Phew.... I have just cancelled all BT products including Sport from November (along with landline and broadband to use 4G/5G for internet instead, cheaper and faster in my rural area). Not sure what I will do about SGP if they are on BT still. Off topic, but this season I have found BT Sport's football coverage (via Sky box) poor quality visually, almost blurred players (compared to Sky football). Anybody else finding?

End of? Right up there with people who end a discussion with 'fact'! 5th place in 2018 doesn't mean anything. Tai was 1st place last season and currently languishing in 14th and he only missed a couple of rounds. Let's be honest, he was never in contention in 2018. A wildcard would be a commercial rather than sporting decision I suspect.