DC2

5 away from a number two, riding in three races with his own number 1 and against opposition heatleaders? Away, the only expectation should be two points in heat 8; any more is a bonus. But hagonshocker is right, with the 1.5 conversion rate there are plenty of good CL riders who could replace him (including Summers 4.58 and Rasmus Jensen).

But why wouldn't the BSPA encourage clubs to come up from the NL by relaxing this rule and requiring no loan fees for the first two seasons to help financial viability? Can they not see this? It's a stupid rule anyway. The asset system is outdated, subjective and corrupt and there should be as free a market as possible with the sport on a knife edge.

Oh, blimey! My big chance to get some respect by saying that what I was "hearing" was right and that "my sources were correct". Total uninformed, random guesswork

Thanks. Is it compulsory for Brum to sign assets and how many must they sign?

Or the ones on the south coast that fall off in April and are replaced by plastic ones in May and again in July?

How did he become an asset without riding enough matches to get an average? Just asking.

Spot on for the first twelve heats of most GPs, with the riders hugging the white line.

Reputation, yes. Fanbase, well maybe a people’s vote would be needed.

If Poole were truly interested in continuity you could have retained six of the team and replaced Chris Harris with Stefan Nielsen, but of course Matt isn’t interested in that because Woryna and Jacobsen are no longer on false averages.

A “wrong” average is always wrong; it is usually down to an anomaly or a bad decision by the BSPA and should be deplored. A promoter spotting an up and coming rider who is likely to improve has a skill that should be admired. Barker and Bjerre are not up and coming riders. Their averages are just prime examples of the BSPA getting it wrong. P.S. The day that foreverblue hits the nail on the head he’ll need a bandage for his thumb.

Didn’t Chris Holder and Tai Woffinden come in on half their lower league averages in 2008 and 2009 and win the titles for their clubs? A 2 conversion rate might work if the top league contained GP riders, but not when it’s being dumbed down.

They don’t think rules through. They solve one “problem” but create another and the unscrupulous promoters take advantage.

Yes, all of that makes sense, but 1.5 CL to PL isn’t realistic and it will become more ridiculous as they increase it every year until it gets to 2. It’s a false conversion which doesn’t reflect the difference in ability between the two leagues. In a few years a 5 point assessed Dane will achieve 7 in the CL and then be signed on 3.5 in the PL.

Or the list wasn’t published and others were sharper than Rosco?

He’s had an official average in the CL for years but that didn’t stop him being given a PL assessed average.

Where is it “in black and white for all to see”? The BSPA AGM press release mentioned only a conversion rate for PL riders wishing to double down, suggesting that it had been loaded to discourage that. It did not say that it applied in reverse and that consequently a number of CL riders could come up to the PL on ridiculous bargain averages.

None of M Riss, Etheridge, T Kurtz, Wajtknecht or J B Andersson managed a 1.5 PL to CL conversion this year so why should Barker, Bjerre and Busk Jakobsen, all of whom have PL experience, or a newcomer benefit from it?

I meant CL riders who are new to the PL will start on a false average if the 1.5 rate is applied in reverse.

It’s nothing that a bit of thought couldn’t have resolved. Bjerre and Barker etc to come back on their existing PL averages, Busk Jacobsen (like Berge) to come back in on his existing assessed PL average (5) as he has PL experience and other CL riders to step up on a realistic conversion rate.

No. Every year I criticise any rule or anomaly that undermines the principle of “equalisation” for team-building, whichever team it favours. While a a 1.5 conversion rate from PL to CL may be desirable to discourage doubling down by PL riders, it does not necessarily follow that it should be applied the other way. Otherwise you could end up with CL riders starting with false averages every year in the PL and being able to double up for as long as they’re picked. Exactly what the 1.5 rate was trying to prevent.

Wolves? Who mentioned Wolves?

And Jake Allen too.

Shame you didn't get Summers for a hat trick of hairstyles. Can see the Kevin Keegan curly perms returning to Tyneside in blond!

That's because it's effectively built to 44.5, with the ridiculous averages being given to Barker and Bjerre!

The reserves switching in and out? LOL Don't you mean a whole new team coming to the rescue?