Teromaafan

Think you could be right. Those pair are GP riders by definition only and would no doubt try to command a financial package to reflect this status. Neither of them are likely to pull up any trees (as their last UK averages would no doubt reflect). Nilsson hasn’t ridden here for a few years but Tungate was awful for Oxford a couple of seasons ago. Makes you wonder how committed they’d be with regards to having good bikes and set ups in the UK as well. The Lions management are no mugs in these situations (hopefully).

That makes a brilliant team building average for Joe! Sure Mr Dickson will make the most of that😉

....Which would mean no Ryan Douglas then?

Agree, who’s to say Howarth will come back into the sport anyway? I think Masters could do with a move away as well.

I think keeping Douglas is a must and hope fully get Fricke back. I’d then build the best possible team around that pair within whatever the points limit is.

Eastbourne aren’t confirmed as participants next season. Er, yes, will definitely finish higher than seventh in a 6 team league! 🫤

That team has a top six look about it! If they are going to win a meeting, they will need to have a decent lead before heat 13.

That second line up finishes 7th……. even in a league of 6 😟

Your options of a guest at No.7 won’t work for the paying public if one of the absentees is the teams No.1. Option 2 is a non starter if it’s your top two that are missing. Option 3 which could be called the ‘Buster’ option, would be the obvious go to for call offs to avoid a spanking. Speedway’s biggest problem (in the UK) is the ability gap between the riders at No.1 and No.7. In the same team. Yes it is that simple and is the reason we have points limits on team building, an obsession with averages, guests, R/R, protected races, tactical subs and doubling up. Stand to be corrected, but that has always been the case throughout the history of the sport. There is no other sport in the world which tries to implement rules in an attempt to balance out the ability of people competing directly against each other (other than levels of golf maybe). Without enough riders and facilities for more ability focused leagues, I don’t have the answer to this disparity, other than trying to level the field with equipment (electric bikes?) but this would seemingly punish the top riders who’ve invested time and money to be at the forefront of the sport.

Phil Morris has a plan B in the pipeline if the talked about ITV deal doesn't come off. It's with a radio station, but would be less lucrative as there would be no commentary provided. You will be able to hear the roar of the bikes clearly though!

Sounds exciting. Care to share any more info?

This is the guy that represented GB in the SoN a couple of years ago and should be on an upward trajectory in view of his age. He’s now doubling up in the second tier in the UK? Doesn’t appear to be the rider many of us thought he was.

I bumped into Nicki Pedersen once. He was bloody furious and made it clear that I should have left him more room😟. Pot…Kettle eh!

If the rumoured two under 21's at reserve is true that would rule out Howarth.

They’re the best team in the league and finished well ahead of my beloved Lions in the regular season. We all love the play offs, but the team finishing top of the pile when everyone has played everyone really ought to be champions. That goes for any sport.