The Cheese

I've always felt that 'guests' is the wrong word to use and they should be classed as something like an 'injury loan' or 'meeting loan'. As long as there's not 3 or 4 riders missing I don't see it as a huge problem, would think that a simple explanation to a new viewer is enough for them to understand why it happens and accept that at times it's necessary

Best wishes to Sam and his family

Congrats to Cook, Lambert and Harris on getting through, hopefully at least 1 will qualify from the challenge.

I would think that after the trouble of a few years ago it's very unlikely that rules on getting a visa will be relaxed.

Cricket is one example, I'm sure there are more

Winter issues usually feature 3 or 4 pages of a look back to a team from a certain year and that includes info on the riders and what they did after/now.

Looks like he came back too early from his injury, could probably do with another week or two off. A shame really because for once he'd made a good start to the season.

Don't think it makes a huge difference whether it's Cook or Bewley tbh. They'll get the 1 ride against the USA in this round and that's it. When it comes to the final in Russia, Cook at least has the experience in Togliatti from when he qualified for the GPs.

https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.36231

Agree, it's rare that Somerset put together an average/poor side but the original one looked reliant on Berge adding heavily to his average to even come close to the play-offs and whilst Grobauer may turn out to be a good asset it's very unlikely he'll make that sort of impact this season. That said they won't be the last team to be beaten heavily at Eastbourne this year

I don't think either side come out of this too well, but to be fair to Cook there's plenty of suggestions here that he was willing to sacrifice sponsors for more points money when he hasn't said that at all. He wanted that increased when his sponsor pulled out because they couldn't advertise in the area they wanted, I don't see a problem with him asking for that but equally understand why Chapman has said no if that takes him over budget.

Rowe is riding for Poole with Starke guesting for Somerset

Yes the pairs meeting is confirmed as the night before Cardiff

Campton's average is well over a point higher than Berge's so wouldn't fit. Lambert simply isn't good enough.

Given Berge's history there was always a question mark over him but he looked to be the key rider in this side if it was to challenge Jan Graversen, Mark Riss and Emil Grondal are other possible options.

Sheffield Eastbourne Edinburgh Redcar Don't think there is a real stand out team, they all have strong points but question marks over other areas. With the exception of Birmingham I think you could make a case for any of the other sides to reach the top 4 which should make for a very interesting season.

Difficult to judge until other sides are complete but there's a lot of question marks over that side. Could do well but wouldn't be a surprise if it was nearer the bottom either. Schlein on paper is a good signing but is in his last season before retiring, will that have an impact? As the season goes on, it would be natural to just start thinking more about staying safe especially with the injuries he's had over the years. Don't see too much improvement if any in Harris, no matter the level he will be inconsistent and have his fair share of poor meetings which is why his average is always around the same figure. Berge has the potential for a healthy increase but you think that every season, it never seems to happen and he ends up moving on. Kurtz has probably reached his level. The 2 reserves have good potential but both are very young still, neither are quite in the top level of the NL and whilst most other reserves will be from the 3rd tier they will likely have a little more experience.

If Starke and BWD are elsewhere as expected then Kyle Newman would be a better option than Kurtz

I'm assuming the 5 riders Jon Cook named in the Speedway Star article this week will be in your side so; Lawson, Kennett, Bowtell, Wood, Brennan which leaves around 14.35. Add in Adam Ellis perhaps and that would be 6.71 left.

Harris 7.52 if he gets the 2.5% reduction, Covatti 6.56 so 23.92 left. Interesting signing in Harris as you wouldn't say the OTA has been one of his better tracks.

If they are staying with the top 4, how about; 1st vs 2nd and 3rd vs 4th (1 leg). Winner of 1st vs 2nd goes direct to final. Loser at home to winner of 3rd vs 4th to decide the other finalist. Final over 2 legs.

Not many riders around the 4 point mark which makes things a little difficult with the limit of 38. Wright (7.68), Covatti (6.56), Wilson-Dean (5.85), Starke (5.73), Wajtknecht (5.06), Shanes (4.96), Atkins (2) - 37.84 Or going for more strength at the top; Morris (8.67), Wright (7.68), Ellis (7.64), Wilson-Dean (5.85), Greaves (3.99), Atkins (2), Kemp? (2) 37.83 If Kennett is available with his average from the Premiership last year that would convert to 8.16 which looks good value

Maybe just coincidence but Eastbourne and Birmingham seem to be the only NL sides who have updated their website with the AGM statement..

" The British Premiership, Championship and National Development Leagues have entertained a growing and more diverse audience by consistently delivering speedway of the highest quality. " The plan to gradually reduce doubling-up/down is fair enough because I don't think you can just bin it completely straight away but is the plan likely to survive it's 5 years? The Premiership using Thursday's is the sensible option just a year too late. A fan nominated race via social media just seems like a poor attempt at trying to look modern, it's hardly going to keep kids entertained during races etc. And naming a competition the 'Premiership Supporters Cup' is awful and embarassing, that needs changing right now before the season starts. Overall it mostly seems more of the same and disappointing.

Interesting.. assume this means Chapman isn't buying Peterborough as rumoured?