STEVEHOLS54

That's 3 definitely signed already then with Rowe & Cairns already signed prior to 2025 season started on 2 year deals as informed by Danny Ford when he signed both. Also on Beau Bailey I see he announced he has signed in POL for 2026 for GKM Grudiadz in POL EXL as their U21 foreign rider plus also in their U24 team. That's some Tuesdays tied up for certain but no different to Cairns who did 8 matches for Z.Gora after he turned 16 end of June. Of course Bailey needs to qualify from one of the several State Champs or from Aussie U21 or Aussie main Champ to ride UK.

Would love to have Mcdiarmid at Poole. Considering this guy was 17 in March and his first season in UK at Poole Stadium alone he scored a 4 ride av of 6.77 or 7.38 incl bp from 3 matches and 13 rides. Very impressive for a 17 year old in his first season. His GSA is only 5.18 and he rode in POL U24 Lge and finished runners up with Zischke in the Son FIM U21 World team Champ. Definitely got a future in the sport.

Was Batch situation a case of nearly no other options as from memory thought most teams were already signed up when he was announced. Nobody wanted him in Prem so it was Worky or sell the bikes ?? Incredible really for a guy who was once a Grand Prix Rider who rode in 28 GP's. He is getting on but was only 38 in August so still has a few years left in him.

Also to back track a little. I think Tate Zischke (20) and Mitch Mcdiarmid (17) are other promising Aussie talents. Was gutted when Poole didn't sign Darcy prodigy Tate in 2023. Unfortunately a serious injury kept him out of UK in 2023 and a more serious one in 2024 curtailed his undoubted talent. Until his second one he was av 7.70 incl BP from just 12 meetings in his first UK season with Worky. I think Darcy Ward felt the Workington track was more suitable being more open for his first season hence why he started there. Mcdarmid has done well for a turned 17 in March in his first UK season. Still a big fan of Ziscke and would love to see him at Poole still on his arguably low 5.76 when the guy was rediscovering his form & Fitness after his potential career ending injury in his first match for B.Vue in 2024. Most of the Worky fans on the forum think he will be back there though for 2026. Fingers crossed we get Bailey as I read that Middlo has plenty of accommodation for riders who want to lodge/board there. Just like both Cook's did.

Plus I think the Aussies will assist all they can in trying to help one of arguably their biggest young speedway talents in a good few years develop his obvious talent in the UK.

On that score just found this last couple of line interview with Bailey posted shortly after his 3rd place in the SGP3 Final last season. He said: “I’m done with the 250s now. I wanted to give them a crack this year. I’m going back to Denmark on Sunday to train on the 500s until I go home. Then I’ll do the Aussie and state championships, and hopefully I will get a visa for the UK next year.” Lets hope he does qualify.

I think most Danish sides sign 7/8 riders for there 5 man teams. They also I believe have to field a DK Junior & senior. Bailey has a similar situation being one of 8 riders signed and in his case he will have to compete with 2 decent young Danes for maybe 1 position. One of them WON SGP3 last season (Bailey was 3rd) plus the other one was a decent rider in POLU24 Lge. He is 19 and Villards Pedersen the SGP3 winner in 250CC Class is 16 and 6 months older than Bailey.

Nope it was Villads. Type it into Google and see. Bastian is over age and rode some SGP2 last season but didnt win it. SGP3 is also the 250CC under 16 Championship. Bailey finished 3rd.

Not sure how it works for young Aussies just turned 16 in Oct I think. P.S: Pedersen won the FIM SGP3 in 2025 with Bailey 3rd - Heiselberg is 19 and spent last 3 seasons with Varde - Scored 7.56 incl BP per 4 rides last season as well in POL U24 for Torun. Pretty hot competition for that junior slot then.

For those who think Bailey will be tied up most Wed in Denmark riding for Region Varde. Mateusz Cierniak, Jonas Jeppesen, and Fredrik Lindgren have joined the team. Gleb Chugunov, Villads Pedersen, and Nicolai Heiselberg have also confirmed their involvement. Daniel Bewley is also joining the team, returning after a failed partnership. Adding Bailey I make that 8 riders for a 5 man team (normally). Most DK teams have at least one young Danish rider riding for them so even allowing for a squad system I would be surprised if he get too many outings. Unless he is another Darcy Ward 🙂. The above was posted on POL site today.

If it was Lawson/Rowe/Cairns/Bailey/Rushen/Bowes and Kerr on his 6.77 after Brit reduction the total would be 0.83 below the 40 point limit. Would they really go that far below the 40 points ??. I know team building is a juggling act, but having to shed 4.53 points - losing Cook who av just over 8 per meeting at Poole stadium and 9 incl BP, I think Kerr inconsistency could cost Poole next season if they retained him. Factoring in we could have 3 new riders in Rushen/Bailey & Bowes. Suppose ultimately it may come down to how ambitious the Ford's want to be. I am sure Kerr would have his good meetings but it's his bad ones which would concern me. All riders have off days but with potentially alot having to hit the ground running, would it be too much. Of course none of us (or should I say most of us) know if Bailey & Rushen plus Bowes are definite or ultimately just Forum rumour

Yes its easy to forget not everyone uses the Forum so a % won't be aware of Zach not returning or Cairns & Rowe were signed on 2 years deals. As a side note i read this morning that the POL EXL squads are near enough agreed subject to ??? in some instances and Bailey is down to sign as one of 4 Juniors in the Grudziaz EXL team. Think they may allow 1 junior other nationality now but he will be 1 of 2 out of 5. Nailed on no doubt to ride in their U24 POL EXL team though which has I believe a new meeting format. I wonder if he will do UK if he does get a qualifying slot in one of the Aussie meetings this Winter. Also Kevin J Pedersen leaving his POL EXL 2 side for 2026 and now too old for the POL U24 Lge as well. No new club in POL National Lge on the horizon either at this stage so I wonder if another rider who will look to UK if he cant seek employment except maybe DK. Believe his scoring was also poor in POL hence why not offered a return.

Maybe the Fords see something in Bowes that I am missing. His POL stats are poor for 2025. In POL EXL 2 (so 2nd POL Lge) he was 55th of 59 regular riders with 4 ride av of 3.4 and won only 2 of 47 rides. In POL EXL (U24) he was 38th of 59 regular riders with 4 ride av of 5.64 - won 16 of his 74 rides. Will turn 24 in NOV and has ridden POL for about 4 years. A lot of his opposition in POL U24 was against riders a lot younger than him with less experience. Yes there are talented young rider in that Lge but he doesn't seem to have gone forward to any real degree. My personal view of this is based on his stats and time spent in POL (4 years) considering he was also based there. Maybe that one performance of 13 from 6 rides (incl one retirement) at Poole on 23rd July showed them something. Although his 2 from 4 rides guesting for Glasgow late August was not good.

Probably a sensible signing if true. They are faced with having to lose one of their 8 plus point riders (Wright or King) on top of having to shed 4.07 off team total to get to 40 points and find a replacement for Riss. He also did well there in 21 & 22 where his AV ranged from 7.51 to 8.46 plus BP. For them it would be a sensible signing probably. I think that IF we do get/have Bailey/Cairns/Rushen as our bottom 3 then we have more scope to sign a better mix/team also depending upon how determined the Fords are to invest in a really good top 4. Knowing we will have Lawsom/Rowe would give us 13.23 for 2 decent riders. That even includes possibilities from places like the POL EXL who have never ridden in UK like Hellstrom Bangs and others as well as those who have ridden in POL EXL2/POL National LGE (Div2) POL EXL U24 and SWE. I excluded DK only because of the WED race day clash. To be honest I am struggling to come up with riders from the last GSA who would fit that would have scope to improve except for the likes of Morris (obvious massive improver on his current GSA) Joe Thompson (who probably will get similar or worse GSA next season), Edwards (who I don't think will improve much), Zichke (lots of potential) but the Worky Fans are confident he will be back, Mcdiarmid (lots of potential) but maybe happy at Oxford), Luke Harrison (lots of potential) but think Scunny will do everything to keep him. As for Bowes - After what he has achieved (not much in POL)and the Worky end of season saga, I honestly couldnt have seen many fighting to sign him up but who knows ?

I also hope they don't take the easy route and sign Kerr again. Too inconsistent for me as we witnessed last season (especially that last match).

Be even better if it was Lawson/Rowe/Morris/Hellstrom Bangs/Bailey/Cairns/Rushen and still 0.37 below the 40 point limit. Morris is on a bargain GSA and assuming Cook served reasonable notice of his intention to move up/on, you would have thought the Fords would have made a big effort to bring in a third H/L on a crazy low GSA. We/They all knew the limit would be kept at 40 as it was already agreed last season for 2026 and with Promotors in regular contact as well, many would be well advanced in seeking out the best top end combinations for 2026. For me the likes of Bowes is not an upwardly thinking possible signing. Done nothing really in 4 years in POL/SWE and if anything in POL has gone backwards. Add in cannot qualify for the POL U24 anymore and unlikely anyone wants him there after his performances in POL EXL2 and open criticism from his POL Team Manager. He was also one of the lowest point av riders in both POL EXL U24 and EXL2 last season. All of that after 4 years of riding and basing himself there. No thanks not a fan of Bowes. If tapped up and accepted to me its because he will not get a job in POL so will probably be desperate to probably get a UK slot.

Bit of a random one to get Poole 2026 Forum back on track. Saw someone open a forum subject this week on young Swede Philip Hellstrom-Bangs (Age 22). Comment was that he might give POL EXL a miss in 2026 and consider riding in UK. I see he has just signed in SWE Prem last 2/3 days (Tue Raceday). He would be on a 6 point GSA due to riding POL EXL. In fact as I type this just seen an interview posted on SportFakty in last hour during which hew said. "I have a few contacts in England, so we'll see what comes of it. I'm open to suggestions. I think it would really benefit me a lot – the tracks are difficult, technical, and riding there could be an interesting challenge," he says in an interview with speedwayfans In the same interview it mentioned he may not be doing POL this year. The interview leaned towards Prem BUT could he double up if POL not happening, and if so could be a decent signing on 6 points if not looking for megabucks ?? If affordable would prefer him to the likes of Bowes on 5.63. Bangs was also top 3 over 3 meetings of the SGP2 in 2024. Any thoughts or will the Fords steer clear of investing in any of the young foreign talent with experience of riding in POL, with maybe exception of hopefully Bailey who looks a level above anything above what we have in UK at just turned 16.

i think Anders is a young rider (23) still with lots of potential. he was signed on arguably a low GSA where his AV for 6 matches for Glasgow was nearer 8 than 6. Inconsistent he was yes, but, was the groin injury a major factor in his inconsistency as I can imagine its not pleasant if you are riding in pain. In a way I hope it was a factor as would be a good indicator that there is more to come from a fully fit pain free Anders. I an glad we have him for 2026 and hopefully he will be a Sheffield again and he is signed for POL for 2026 so all signs are positive. Just the question of if he has the injury holding him back a bit can he get it treated as the question of rest not an issue with a 5 month break.

Regarding Anders Rowe. We know he will be in the 2026 side together with Cairns as both were signed on 2 season deals for 25/26. I was a bit disappointed with Anders last season as expected him to push on more than he did. I think many did. I would like to think that this was mainly down to the groin injury that he was carrying for at least part of it. Believe it needs both treatment and rest. Also in at least one match he had an arm injury. If the groin injury was causing him so much problems then it would certainly have affected his consistency especially as he is not the best gater and scores a lot of points by overtaking thus requiring more effort. Would be nice maybe if Danny Ford or Anders himself puts out a statement during the close season explaining that it was this injury that hindered his progress in 2025 which would go a long way to explaining his up and down form. Hopefully he can get it sorted with a 5 months before it all kicks off again for 2026.

As we can only guess at this stage on Poole team - points limit etc, does anyone know when the AGM is planned. Will it also be UK or Tenerife bearing in mind all the loss making comments of many teams on the forum - loss of the TV deal. One would think they will be looking to cut costs. Hopefully it's not too late in November so we the fans can get some clarity. Plus more importantly the promoters and owners.

I would go all out for Morris if Zach not returning. He is on a wildly false av of 6.86 where he is worth 8 at least. His home av was 8.24 or nearly 9 with BP and he only rode 7 matches on his return for Berwick. Some of them were feeling his way back after the long absence. Doesn't he live over Swindon way so ideal geographically. Resigning Kerr would be a big mistake with so much youth in the team (if it is Cairns/Rushen & Bailey). Plus the less than inspiring Fraser Bowes. Must admit the latest Champ GSA's hardly inspire you if you are looking in that 7 point region.

I agree hence my preference for Zischke who had his first real UK season only last season due to his horrendous injury in 2024 which wiped out his season. Chances are it won't happen though based on comments mentioned. Bowes would not be end of the World though as ultimately last season was his first in UK so maybe with the right attitude there may be more to come. Would definitely find it tough at 2 as first heat would be with Rocketman and the opposition number 1. I think Zischke would have ha more scope to improve but its just my opinion for team building discussion.

Hoped that would be the case if Bailey were also signed. Thought it might be limited space if Zach & Ben stay there next season.

On the subject of Bowes. If he does sign for Poole, I wonder if he would base himself in UK. Believe he based in POL last 4 years, but had the comfort of having both a POL U24 slot plus a Sunday POL Lge 1 or 2 slot or a combo of the 2. Plus easier commuting for SWE Lge 2. As he cannot do POL U24 next season (24 in Nov) which is changing I believe anyway to promote more POL younger riders, plus his POL EXL2 scores were fairly poor being approx 3.82 per 4 rides from 18 meetings and 55th out of 59 riders who rode regular during season. Even his own Team Manager was openly critical of him end of season in an article posted on one or both POL sites. Maybe he was upset so shortly after losing in the play offs. This means he is not even guaranteed to get any POL team spot at this stage unless he is already signed, as most riders have near enough sorted their teams already for 2026 and he won't be in the U24 Lge (I think but stand corrected). As for the SWE 2nd Div ???. No idea of his scores there. Maybe less running around Europe may help him (only guessing of course). Having also 2 possible Aussie team Mates (Cook & Bailey - Hopefully) could be a stabalising factor. Not that I am clutching at straws 😆

If Nagel does ride POL EXL or EXL2 then it will be the last season in 2026 he can ride multiple Leagues as the Poles have said in 2027 they are reverting back to riders limited to the POL Lge and just one other overseas Lge. Meaning riders of his quality and calibre will have to choose one of UK/DK/SWE/Germany. Doesn't apply to the POL National Lge (POL 3rd Div in effect). The Poles obviously keen to try and protect their main stream stars/riders. Even though those riders will take the hit from their own pockets. May change of course if pressure is applied by the riders during 2026. But the Poles did it before so ???