STEVEHOLS54

I get the impression he turned down Poole offer due to his commitment to developing in POL & DK. We have to remember he is not only in Grudiatz U24 team (Tue) but is also named as one of the U21 Overseas riders for the main POL EXL side (Sundays) as well as riding DK on a Wed which they can drive to. Maybe at recently turned 16 they don't want to overload him flying in and out of UK on different days of the week and especially DK which may prejudice his team selection (Wed) and let's be honest its a much stronger Lge than UK Champ. If he progresses as I forsee he has a big future and only right he should develop amongst the best riders and in the U24 the best young riders. We may have to see such talent miss UK anyway as from 2027 the POL have changed the rules again allowing only ONE addl Lge outside of the POL EXL. For sure in almost all cases it will be POL and SWE or DK, especially as they can drive compared to having to fly. So Tue (POL U24) - Wed drive to DK and then drive back for POL (Sun). I am also excl all the SGP 2 qualifiers and meetings which nearly all on the Continent plus other Indiv meetings he may pick up if he shows his obvious talent.

Going to be interesting to see where they would fill that hole from what is left available. Don't think the Fords would be happy to invest in a recognised overseas talent now they are in Champ. Not that many would want to take Champ money and a strict wage policy that the Fords have allegedly. Hopefully that question will be answered before Xmas.

Yes - But its opinions which helps keep the forum going 🙂. Its difficult to criticise the Fords with what they have achieved with Poole over the years. However that doesn't mean we have to agree with their chosen teams prior to season starting. At least expressing an opinion cultivates healthy discussion on the Poole Forum. Especially in the dank miserable winter close season 🙂

It's certainly not helped having to lose 4.53 from last seasons team. I would love to be proved wrong but must admit I have concerns compared to the likes of Glasgow - Redcar - Oxfords expected like up and even others. A strong home form is so important for the League BP and I feel we may not have that compared to last season and that could cost us over 2 legs as well as probably losing many away. (Just my opinion). I'm not convinced on Bowes who in effect has failed during his 4 years in POL. Giles is potentially a risky just over 4 with a history of injuries - Kerr can be wildly inconsistent as his lower GSA evidenced last season. Cairns has had the privelage of having an affluent family to finance his racing overseas as well as trips to Hancocks homes in SWE & USA for private tuition. Didn't quite have the effect I hoped last season in UK or POL U24 but he is only 16 but certainly not shown me he he has Baileys class by a long way. Rushen is definitely a racer but not 16 until end of March. Maybe he will progress quicker than Cairns and is an exciting racer. Hopefully those 2 reserves will progress quickly and who knows, we may see both Gilkes & Bowes at reserve at some stage. Anyway hopefully Rocketman - Cook - Cairns & rushen will give us plenty to cheer in 2026. Anyone else will be a pleasant bonus.

So they have gone for Dan Giles, A rider who seems to excite Danny Ford who has been looking at him for some time. Bearing in mind that it is his home form which will be mainly scrutinised lets see how Gilkes has performed at Poole in the last 4 seasons. 2025 - 1 match - 4 rides - av 5 points 2024 - 3matches - 12 rides - av 4.00 points 2023 3 matches - 12 rides - av 3.33 points 2021 - 1 match 4 rides - av 2.00 points Last complete season in Champ was 2021 . Maybe it was his Rising star av in Prem that showed more potential: 2025 - 2 matches - 4 point GSA 2024 - 27 matches - 2.93 GSA 2023 - 21 matches 3.57 GSA Bonus points not incl. I am pretty certain he won't score anywhere near what Bailey would have scored but unfortunately he is not coming. Lets hope it is Rushen & Cook as we will need them.

Just for a bit of fun while we await our last 3 riders. IF Rushen & Cook signed would leave 4.87. Noticed on the 2 POL sites last 2 days that Slater Lightcap - 20yr old American has signed for Falubaz for their U24 squad along with Cairns for 2026. Going to be based in POL. He did some testing in POL in 25 and came over here for a short trip in 2025 doing some practice at Sheffield & Glasgow. Seems rated by Hancock and has improved steadily over the last 2/3 seasons in USA. Not having raced in Europe Lges would assume would be on a GSA of 4. Knowing Middlo normally has accommodation available, maybe not beyond the realm of possibilities maybe as the likes of Bowes did POL (2 Lges) - Swe & UK in 2025. The POL U24 race normally on Tue. Anyway just a thought and maybe worth above a 4 in the Champ if he is improving.

Think my best description/opinion would be a 2 year younger version of Fraser Bowes, but with possibly more scope to improve. His POL U24 stats show he was 42nd of 59 regular riders in 2025 and has raced there for 2/3 years. could have some potential and seems to have a decent racing style. Still will be only 22 in Feb 2026. Did some practice laps at Poole 2/3 years ago when on a flying visit. If he signed would in fact be on a 5 (I think) due to his POL U24 riding. Could be a half decent signing helped by his experience in Poland. As a footnote - Was a fortunate winner of the Aussie U21 title in 2023 when he won the final on default after Rew/Zichke & Ryan Harrison were all excluded from the final after crashes/exclusions. Still a winner is a winner but Lady Luck was for sure on his shoulders that day

If you look at his rider stats at Poole Stadium going back to 2021 he has really only been a 4 point rider. One meeting last year was 5 points. You would ideally want a rider who performs better at Poole over such a period. Having said that none of the riders on his kind of av have does a lot points wise at Poole. Not an easy one but that said its guess work anyway without knowing the Cook situation and what would be available.

Jake Mulford & Declan Kennedy would be the only real options looking at final GSA's. Neither of whom spark much excitement which makes the whole thing intriguing.

Does that mean you know who they are but prefer to keep quiet until announced officially. Or you think you have an idea who they might be. Just trying to gauge if we should be excited by who it might be or if its a case of hoping to stay in touch of a play off place, in view of the fact we had to shed 4.53 points off last seasons squad and so far other than Bowes who is less than inspiring having near enough shown the door in POL after 4 under achieving years there and also burning his bridges at Worky so UK was really only real option for him in 2026 and maybe SWE 2nd Div. Must admit I'm struggling a bit on the last 2 outside of Cook and another and that's IF Rushen is one of the 3 remaining.

If his decision is subject to what happens at the AGM and then he decides no Champ, then its going to be interesting what combo of riders the Ford's will then be left with as would have thought majority of Champ riders will already have their team plans sorted. Of course if they name the other 2 by Xmas it will narrow the field on what points are left to play with.

You seem to be spot on. Beau Bailey Racing has confirmed to me on FB overnight when i messaged saying that some rumours around that he won't be doing UK Champ in 2026. His response was "It is true, sorry" Hammer blow for my hopes of the line up for 2026. Back to the drawing board for who our last 3 will be. If Rushen is signed then would leave us 12.21 for 2 riders. IF Cook returns it would leave us with 4.87. Short of an overseas rider with experience on the Continent who would normally be a 5. I wonder if the Fords do have the signings all sorted. If Cook is returning the 4.87 covers an underwhelming choice of what's available looking at the final GSA's.

But if we go from Danny Ford's comments at the end of season do, 6 were already signed and one (who we now know was Rowe) was in discussion. This was near enough confirmed when he questioned Rowe's attitude in the pits at times last season which was a kind of smoke signal that things were far from going well with Anders. I do find it a little confusing that Zach Cook has still said nothing about NOT racing in Championship in 2026. If he isn't what did he have to lose by saying so just as Ben did in his last meeting for Poole at home in 2024. Other than signing in POL for Sundays in 2026 have not seen any articles on the 2 well informed POL sites about his signing in SWE or DK. Which leads me to think maybe he will stay UK. Also odd comments about Bailey not coming UK in 2026. He has said nothing on his own social media sites about not coming to UK in 2026 and why do a recent interview on a POL site saying he was hoping to race in UK for 2026 subject to qualifying for his UK Visa which he now has at the first attempt last weekend when he won the Victoria State Champ. As for Rushen - again in an interview last season he allegedly said he had/was signing for a South Coast Club in 2026.That would indicate Poole or Plymouth.

I still maintain it will be Zach/Bailey/Cooper - combined 13.34. Despite what a few say, Bailey openly said in a recent Polish interview that he was expecting to ride in UK in 2026 if he can qualify in the State/Aussie Champ/U21 meetings for a UK Visa. This he achieved in his first qualifying meeting where he was not only top 4 but also won the meeting. Unless someone has some concrete evidence that he or his team have said he is definitely NOT doing the UK. As for Zach - I would have thought that having said nothing at the end of season function about not returning to Poole in 2026 and also nothing in the media since then, that maybe also with the Rowe situation and also with Prem situation in doubt that maybe he will return after all. Maybe the Fords are keeping the best until last in announcements, i.e Cook/Bailey & Rushen. Hopefully all will be revealed in the coming 3 weeks 🙂.

Hopefully something will come out soon on his signing. (fingers crossed it's Poole 🙂). Understands the below were the top 4, but can't find a full report on individual scores so cant see how Bowes got on. Noy in top 4 though. Victorian Title Results 500cc 1st Beau Bailey 2nd Justin Sedgmen 3rd Declan Kennedy 4th Mitchell McDiarmid