SteveLyric2

Just as a matter of interest, I read in the Star this week that Patrick Dudek is appealing the rest of his ban, having served 6 months!! As it seems we are going over old ground again, worth pointing out (again) that Danno's punishment was by SVEMO whilst Ward's is as we know from FIM.

Imagine the uproar if WADA BSF deemed his ban to lenient. Ward's and his non-fans will break down the Internet!

Change of first Sky fixture on 31st March. Now Kings Lynn v Lakeside, not KL v Poole.

Nothing like the 'distraction' of his first GP series. (PS, IF any Poole riders have 'not been allowed' to ride elsewhere, its NOT Middlo's call!!)

I would agree except in the case of a rearranged Sky meeting, when the teams on Sky should get preference otherwise it would seem 'mickey mouse' to regular and new viewers!!

Amen to that!

Anyone know if there are to be anymore UKVI workshops for BSPA members - or have all clubs/officials now done the necessary and got their licences back with no further action.

I can't be bothered to revisit all the pages on this thread so don't know if this has been mentioned? I've been reading about an official protest to the FIM being made by the American Motorcycle Association in relation to the time it has taken to announce the punishment of AMA Supercross rider James Stewart Jr., on the basis of decisions being made 'in a timely fashion'!!? April 2014 - Stewart was discovered to have taken amphetimines (an FIM/WADA banned substance - unlike alcohol). June 2014 - Stewart was given a provisional suspension from all racing. October 2014 - The FIM hearing took place in Geneva. December 2014 - The decision was announced and confirmed to the rider 3 weeks before the start of the new Supercross season (16 months back-dated to April 2014 - allowing the rider to race again in August 2015). The rider has/had 21 days to appeal - which I don't believe he did, as he had already admitted it. It was his first offence. I'll let others comment on whether they believe there are any differences or parallels with the Ward case - I'm sure there will be plenty!!

He probably doesn't take a pole with him either!!

Thanks for that. One or two Coventry fans were questioning how many meetings Hans Andersen might miss?!

Thanks for that update R&R. So just to be clear, each team can only track one 'A' rider per meeting? So its a 'shared Number 1' scenario, or have I misunderstood?

The top Polish League clubs already have a limit of tracking a maximum of 3 'foreigners'. Not sure about the lower leagues or in Sweden?

Cut the costs in the sport and 2 leagues should be enough for any rider!! If riders start demanding too much then clubs should just turn them down - especially if they cannot afford it.

I think I'm right in saying that the FIM also meet at weekends. Are you including yourself in that description - you being a sponsor and admitted regular Poole and GP fan and all??!!

Interesting that the BSPA have gone back to calling it the 'ELRC' (at Leicester in March) - or is that another press release that will require an update?!

A 'B' sample cannot be a Breath test sample as it must be available to be tested/re-tested at a later date if required - either at the rider's request or by the FIM/WADA.

For anyone who cares to bother - Articles 7 and 8 make for very interesting reading. They primarily refer to the testing process (A and B samples etc) and a Hearing in a fair and timely fashion!! (within 3 months is mentioned!)

As he was last year for a month - as well as helping in the pits most weeks!!

I'll just check that with Swindon.............??!

I thought you were a fan of Darcy's on track performances?! In which case it shouldn't worry you how often he is in the gym or otherwise. Being 'ultrafit' is no guarantee that such riders respect other riders on the track, as Pedersen has demonstrated on many occasions! As for the opinions of other GP stars - I would guess there are quite a few that would prefer not to be in the same race as Nicki, especially if they are drawn in the outside gate position.

Don't sit on the fence - call a spade a spade!!

Maybe random testing should be for say 6 riders ie approx. one third of the field as far as GPs are concerned - or maybe even half?! Not defending Ward particularly but he and others have been tested randomly before and have passed the test OK. That could mean that riders do socialise together on the eve of a GP and maybe DO have a drink - with the whole of the following day to 're-hydrate', rather than just to lunchtime as in Latvia. Ward has admitted on TV that he was slightly over the limit - based on what may or may not have been a flawed testing process. Assuming the testing process proves to have been ok, then there is clearly a case to answer - in Ward's case, whether the jury consider there may have been mitigating circumstances, it is his first offence as far as FIM are concerned and may well be punished by time served - or not?! I for one want to see him back in league racing asap. (even though as far as Poole is concerned I don't think its the best team building option for 2015 for Poole to be EL Champs for the 3rd consecutive season!)

Are you taking the Michael again, Gav?

I'm hearing that Plymouth have accepted there may be issues with Holder's visa and have put in a request for first call on the top 4 Tasmanian qualifiers. If acceptable, they will be renamed the Tazmanian Devils!! I'll get my coat.......... Not according to Colin Pratt from Friday's workshops!! New CoS's have been agreed and Swindon have re-submitted Batchelor's visa application straight away.

Well it was worth a try, as others were saying it was only Darcy Ward that had tweeted anything!!