STEVEHOLS54

From reading the various posts/interviews, I get the impression that both teams were happy with the result. Poole got their 3 points, and with BV top of the League anyway they were more than happy with their 1 point for being less than 6 points behind. Having had a miserable time recently away from home but still being on top, I think Lemon was happy to bag the 1 point once that point had been reached in the meeting. Especially following their last meeting at Poole. (When I say happy - I mean the result not the meeting as for sure Poole not happy to lose 2 riders to nasty injuries).

Am sure I read in an Echo article when Matt Ford signed the new Team Sponsorship deal. In fact just found the article from 17th Jan. The headline stated and I qte BOSS Matt Ford admitted Pirates had the financial clout to be major players in the transfer market after securing a new main team sponsor for 2019. He went on to comment about the possible need to replace injured or out of form riders mid season and this new SUBSTANTIAL 5 figure investment now meant he could do that. So based on his usual playing of words in the media I assume we can look forward to a marquee signing from around Europe on a false low average as he has mastered up over the years. Await with eager anticipation as Richie looks long term with a multiple break that has not had final op yet as the current one was more to position it back into place in advance of the plates etc. (sounds bloody painful that's for sure). As for Nico ?????.

Have always been a BIG fan of Brady Kurtz from when he first arrived at Somerset in 2014. Have to admit I expected some big things from him as I monitored his progress but I am concerned that he may well turn out to be another one of those Aussie riders who promised a lot but never pushed on to the level we anticipated. Has been riding now in UK for 5 years and got his real big break in POL & SWE last season. For me he is going backwards not forwards and while yes he has had the odd injury, his form was questionable even before then. He certainly has not pressed on in POL and if anything has got worse as evidenced again last weekend and was dropped after 2 rides. Not riding for Vetlanda tonight having scored zero last week. ( Dropped maybe ??) He has been fortunate that riding for the all conquering Leszno he didnt need high scores last season as their strong reserves helped them big time. Similar to this season where despite his poor 4 point av he is being carried by the rest of the team/reserves. In 31 rides he has scored only 1 win and 8 seconds and languishes at 47 in the POL EXL averages. If he carries on like this I can see both Vetlanda and Leszno dropping him come season end (if not before). Going to have a problem in Leszno anyway come season end as Smektala has to move up and only places as I see it he can replace are Brady or Hampel. On current form cant see Kurtz being favoured. As for Uk I see no realistic signs of consistent form to show me when allied to his Continent form that he is moving forward after 5 years riding in Europe. I like the guy and want to see his progress but how much longer will we be saying he will come good. Certainly not pushed on like Fricke and even Holder looks like he is overtaking him when you look at his form in SWE & POL. Let's hope he can rediscover the form of 2 seasons ago where we were all raving about him being the next big Aussie on the scene.

Ford Jr says he is looking forward to having Brady Kurtz back who has been scoring well abroad recently. Suppose depends on how you look at it. Scored 14 from 5 rides in POL 2ND DIV against a load of grossly inferior riders incl Bjarne Pedersen in his aging years who can't get into POL Nice 1 or POL EXL. Then topped that up midweek last week with an impressive zero from 4 rides against decent opposition for Vetlanda in SWE. Suppose will depend on which of the inconsistent Brady turns up. Let's hope its the one who has shown on occasions that he can be a good rider. Similar with Holder Jr. Would be nice if both turned up for a change on the same day and both scored decent double figure points. Rarely happens with these 2 together so let's hope they both do well.

I think Brady needs to start looking over his shoulder anyway. His scores so far this season for Leszno had not been so great even before injury. At the end of this season Smektala has to move into the main team. If you look at all the other riders it will be interesting who has to make way. Can only see it being Brady or Hampel and surely that will be decided by who has the better scores over the season. Hopefully it is Brady who gets it together. Only had the 2 rides today so still not fit, but when you have riders of the quality of Smektala and Kubera, some would argue that on their day they are better than Brady anyway. I hope for him he starts scoring some decent points this season, as although this is the best league in the World you still have to perform. He is fortunate that despite plenty of lowish scores he is in the best team in the World with the best 2 reserves so it gets glossed over a bit when they win more often than not. Now he will also have to contend with Lidsey and Bekker coming through notwithstanding any other top riders in the World as there is not points limit in POL. Having said all that I am sure the future looks good anyway as he would for sure secure a spot elsewhere and would also walk into most Nice 1 teams. Such is the performance level at the top.

Worrall's cause not helped being in a team of riders with so much inconsistency. If BOTH H/L were performing week in and out TOGETHER (or most of the time) then you can carry a rider who is struggling for form. Having decided to build a side of owned asset riders and so called strength in depth with NO recognised H/L means you need consistency from the whole team to see you through. Yes Richie has improved a little but 6 points from 5 rides last night ???. Not convinced still, but Poole will have to decide soon as his GSA is dropping so they have to move soon. Problem as I see it is that whether it be a straight replacement or him plus sacrificing one of the reserves to free up a better combined GSA still brings the question of WHO???. Can't think of anyone suitable who would be available within what the Ford's may be willing to pay out. The Uk based half decent ones already signed up elsewhere. I heard the Freddie was happy now doing Swe (Tue)- DK (We) - POL (Sun) and factor in his WU21 matches and other fixtures got impression maybe not so interested in UK. On top of which I got impression the Ford's don't want the expense of flying in overseas rider/mechanics/entourages in their quest to sell the club asap without negative costs going on the books. Also Freddie for all his potential is NOT a recognised/proven performer in UK and as his scores showed last season you can expect plenty of up's/downs. Does he really need to trudge up and down the UK on our sub standard tracks (in the main excl such as BV). It's not like riders such as Klindt who is based in UK (Midlands) and he is happy to be another journeyman like Hans Andersen (but not as good as HA). Riding SWE/DK/UK/POL. For me replacing say Richie with Freddie won't change a lot. Would having Klindt and NBJ last night really have made so much difference for example. Last night both their scores in the DK Champ were dire so why do we assume they would have been that much better. Some of the participants in the Comp were not that great. The decent riders as expected got decent scores. Klindt scored 4 and NBJ 3. That's 7 points from a combined 10 rides.

I see that Klidnt and NBJ bombing out big time in the DK championships after 4 & 3 rides. respectively. Both Rasmus Jensen and F.Jakobsen seem to be doing ok. We could probably have had both if Ford/s were not trying to do it all now on a tight budget. But you get what you pay for I suppose. Maybe us Poole supporters should just accept that Ford Snr desperately wants to sell the club, Is trying to invest as little as possible utilising UK based assets only plus Worrall whose GSA dropped latter part of last season plus so far this - Covatti where it was also convenient for Nico having Somerset in Champ on Wed then stay over for Poole Thur so no clashes. As for NBJ ?? - All the rumours were it was near enough nailed on as Rasmus Jensen which even I applauded as his scores last third of 2018 were VERY good in Champ. But no, when we all thought it was sorted it suddenly became NBJ which I think was down to not enough money on offer which I assume also applied to Jake Allen who many thought would tie up with his other 3 Aussie mates at Poole.

Think Ford Jr will have a huge sigh of relief as he can probably keep money in his pocket a bit longer not being forced into replacing Worrall (for now...). Probably bought a bit more time with yesterdays performances. I can see Poole making the play-offs without winning a single away match this season. Seeing how teams such as KL and Swin have now in effect strengthened I cannot see any way that Poole will get a win on the road. Their team in depth has too many inconsistent performers INCL Jack and Brady who can blow hot & cold on any given race day. If only the whole team could get it together on the same day away to drag the team over the line. Last night was a big missed opportunity with Swind not having Doyle in all 5 rides plus injury to Mus and very weak reserves. Yes Jensen was a revelation but this was a rider near enough done and dusted for many to sign for Poole before most were then surprised to find it was not Jensen but NBJ. Good signing for Swindon and wish we had got him as reserve to be honest. His scores were mightly impressive last few months of last season in Champ. Providing Poole keep winning at home the odd away points from 6 point or less defeats will get them into the top 4 imo. Let's just hope the Ford's do invest to sort the track as it's a poor advert for the sport and how long before one of their own riders get's an injury let alone the opposition.

I would hope this was a tactical thing by Leszno as even if fully fit it would have been a struggle to do a POL match finishing late today and then getting to Poole for a 12 mid day start the following morning. Perhaps he is just on standby in case today's match was going wrong as the 2 Leszno reserves probably covering all his rides would walk into every team on the planet let alone the top club in POL. Let's hope for all of us Leszno do win the match and he indeed rests up as was reported by Poole.

Can somebody help me out on this regarding Brady Kurtz. On Friday it was awaiting outcome of X.Rays. Suddenly he is jetting off to POL. Today on the Poole website Ford Jr states and I quote Pirates co-promoter Danny Ford said: “Obviously it’s far from ideal being without Brady as he’s been in such incredible form this season so far. “But the important thing is he rests up and gets back to full fitness. Incredible that in POL the main main Sports Fakty sppedway site quoted the flwg at 14.48 Uk time yesterday one day earlier than Fords release with and again I quote An arm injury was suspected by an Antipodian rider. However, the latest information is positive and it is very likely that his crash ended only on bruises, so Kurtz will be able to appear in the Sunday game Fogo Unia Leszno So today and in last 2 hours he is photographed chilling out at the track with the other Foga Unio riders, also looks like he did the track walk with his team PLUS is declared to ride in the seven named riders and no comments from the live comments board contributors to say he isn't riding. Teams doing the presentation and for good measure approx 15,500 is the attendance. One can see where loyalties lie I thing. Also Jack Holder rode a little earlier and is riding tomorrow in UK. A decent 12 plus 2 BP frpom 6 rides today where older Holder failed yet again away (like the team did) with 5 plus 1 from 4 rides. If you can't beat Lublin a promoted team who also had Jonsson missing then they are looking like relegation certainties already so early in the season having lost every match. Chances are Brady would not have got back in time for a early morning meeting with the POL EXL match he is riding in only starting at 6 p.m UK time where Jack rode some hours earlier. But my point is why do we get fed such B.S from the Promotion and the Club about him being banged up - not fit to ride , needing to rest up, when those who keep close tabs on the real racing in POL can see it is in effect b.s. P.S: Brady is out with Emil S in heat one.

Excellent post a bit earlier Gav in reply to Steve Shovlar re points of reserves and H/L. Indeed good reserves important but can't fully cover failing H/L if both score poorly (as evidenced with Poole). Swindon have shown how important H/L strength is already. Win at home with odd wins and 1/2 pointer away and you are in the play offs. I think Ipswich have surprised a few already and with neither Harris or King fully firing last night they did well to win even if only by 6. When the League is in full swing a win is 3 points be it by 1/2 or 20/25. Away may still be an issue but if they could pinch odd points away then who knows come final play off positions. Can't see many if any winning at Ipswich based on what has happened so far but still very early doors. Wins at home will also hopefully keep the crowds coming in as very few from any club travel away in the sport these days.

Could be a case of needs/must come mind/end May. Woryna is not the answer for sure as he has started the new POL season less than impressive. Even in the odd meeting Jakobsen has ridden in he was poor. I think those 4 League meetings H/A against BV and Swindon will have a bearing on what happens next. Why fly in Woryna and his Mechanic/s/team when he isn't performing (certainly not as a HL in UK anyway). Rather spend on a proven rider in the Prem even if not popular with some. The next month will be interesting that's for sure as this won't be allowed to continue. Of course that's assuming the Ford's don't want to hold on to the money bearing in mind this season's team was built around Club assets and riders they could sign within a certain budget.

Okay 1-0 to you LOL Just get frustrated especially when its a Derby match even if it is the Cup rather than league. At the moment those top 2 so called Heat Leaders are costing us at home. It neess to be sorted as no good fiddling further down the team if only one or in this case neither are performing. The odd point/s further down cannot compensate when you get your top 2 scoring 11 from 10 rides. Going to be interesting considering we have BV & Swind H & A in the League over the next month. At this rate we could well be bottom come end of May with that single Peterborough away point. But of course means nothing at this stage ;-)

i would hope so Steve if you only have to come 4th out of 7 teams. Think much will depend on whether Ford spends decent money to shore up the team if it keeps performing like this. On paper this team should walk into the play offs. BUT its the same old inconsistencies that keep cropping up week in and out. You can pick out at least 2/3 riders each meeting that just don't perform to their so called potential. It happens meeting after meeting. Even when we get into winning positions away we tend to blow it. I think we will still get points away from draws or 6 point or less losses but that could all be undone if they don't sort out the home form and possibly the track.

Complete and utter embarrassment. The 2 Poole H/L scoring 11 from 10 rides is an utter joke and yet again Holder & Kurtz underperforming on the Poole track. I wonder what positive spin the Ford's will put on this woeful discplay. In fact even RR replacement scored 6 for Worrall which is probably higher than he would have achieved anyway. Excuses are being made for the track and perhaps rightly so. Its been a joke for too long but hey what do you expect from a guy who is more interested in selling up than investing in putting the track right. Swindon came to Poole and yet again put them to the sword. If they can do it then why can't these underperforming Pirates. It has all the hallmarks of last season and the season before. As to look what happened last season. A ridiculous amount of luck and good fortune is unlikely to strike again imo. Early doors but would never surprise me if the likes of Kurtz & Holder Jr will not make the cut for the POL EXL teams after this season and at this rate I can see at least one of them being emptied when the Ford's wield the knife again as in previous seasons. I get fed up hearing the excuses. Neither Kurtz or Holder look like number one's and at this rate are unlikely to be one. Swindon have showed that H/L are important and they can carry the bottom order. I see Lampart out soon but for sure I see a decent replacement coming in. As for Poole ??? - To much inconsistency for me and I honestly don't see it changing.

I get where you are coming from Gav, because as a 16 year old I introduced myself to the sport at Hackney in early 1971 and they were all different. I think the difference was we were in a different era as all the riders were in different leathers in those day and for many years after. We didn't know any different. I also remember the days at Rye in the late seventies & eightees at Rye when it was as you say. Maybe i have been swept along with how the sport has developed over the years with riders decked out in team kevlars which I personally like, whee its mainly all other teams doing similar. From a personal perspective, I just think it looks odd when a team who I started supporting later in life after so many of mine sunk into demise/closure, who had always been in team kevlars, suddenly look more like the odd team out compared to so many others incl in Champ let alone Elite League. If it was like back in the day then we wouldn't know any different as most/all would look different anyway. I suppose ultimately it comes down to personal preference and also what you get used to in today's Speedway World. Especially when you see how the sport is run in Poland. But the important thing is survival of the sport and at least having teams racing most weeks even if some teams do revert back to just race bibs.

As a final note from me on this. Can't help but check back on some old SGB stats. Rider volume at Poole started to really go up from 2015 continuing through 2016/17/18. Prior to that the rider turnover doesn't seem so big. Looking at the rider turnover you would probably have needed 10/11 sets of kevlars per season (at least) to keep up with keeping the team kitted out with all the rider changes either through loss of form or injury. So as a budget I think Ford would need to factor in at least 10 sets from a cost perspective, less what individuals/companies would chip in. Ultimately the most important thing is that Poole put out a team that can compete even if it does mean changes (if affordable) as the season progresses. Just a shame that not having the kevlars the same throughout the team. I wonder if Matt really didp ut it out there to see if there could be a decent level of interest to kit the team out and allow for some additional suits for the no doubt inevitable changes. Can't recall seeing anything on the Poole website asking about possible interest. Having said that can't recall seeing anything about bibs either except on this Forum.

I just don't get it with Matt Ford. He even said in an Echo interview prior to getting the new team sponsor that he would consider outside sponsorship for the kevlars even at individual level. Yet he gets a sponsor and is only to pleased to be quick off the mark to say he will now be able to afford mid season changes if required. Of course ultimately we all want to win the league, but to me in the teams sponsored kevlars looks so much more professional. When you look at say Woryna last season he looked so out of place against the rest of the team in his red kevlars. I can only give my honest opinion which I think is like the majority, that it does not convey the right message and for the life of me I can't see why it can't be done in conjunction with both individuals or companies to contribute towards it. Unless of course this is all about making sure that he does not have to invest a single dime more on outgoings as part of showing no negative costs on the books as part of the sale. I am not saying it is but why when the majority of clubs also in Champ have Kevlar deals for the team. Heck this is supposed to be the affluent South Coast area of Dorset where plenty of money is washing around yet a Club with the profile of Poole can't afford to deck out its riders even if a number of different supporters/sponsors step up. Won't even need new bibs will he if he recycles last seasons ????????????

Indeed and a poor reflection of the arguably so called leading club in the Sport in UK. But what do you expect when you have the owner of the club who was only to willing to inform the Echo that getting the new team sponsor will allow Poole to now enter the transfer market should he need to come mid season. One tends to think that he is already putting his marker down that team changes will be coming now he has the money to do so. But we shouldn't be surprised as similar the last few seasons. Ultimately though it is yet again just a poor reflection of the sport that teams even in Champ will have team kevlars yet the League Champions will be wearing bibs which for me reflects how we are now light years away from the Leagues in places like POL & Swe.

Arguably not. He didn't ride so well last season although still recovering from his injury maybe not helped and with a hectic schedule. They guy has qualified now for a full 2019 Speedway GP and has commited to DK (has to anyway to allow him to continue to qualify for DK Champs which he needs to get into the SGP qulaifiers etc) also commited to SWE and POL. Yes he lives in UK mainly I assume due to family here i.e partner/child ??. However look at things from his perspective. If you are riding 3 Leagues plus a full GP season is there really the need at his age to be tearing around Europe/UK for an additional min 24 meeting plus poss play offs and any Ind meetings in UK. Geograpically it works well with Pol Sun - Swe Tue - DK Wed (Think most riders probably drive/ferry POL to Swe and then use the bridges to now drive Swe to DK. He can then recoup for a couple of days at home in UK before taking on the SGP meetings on Sat - No doubt will ride in DK Individ Champs as well to get to SGP Qualifiers where he will also ride them as backup if not making top 8 in SGP. Don't think he was so happy with tracks at KL or places like Poole in 2018, so does he need the risk of possible injury which could prejudice his Continental and SGP commitments. I would say NKI doesn't need that pressure any more and if you factor out costs for Bikes/Engines/Mechanics and all associated costs (even if Sponsors part involved) with the much lower money now available in UK does he need it ?? If it was say Hans Anderson he loves i,t but then he doesnt ride SGP for a long time plus is the twilight of his career so wants to max earnings around Europe.

Really pleased for the Pirates. However being a bit of a cynical old sod I thought I would look up their accounts(well what you can see without paying a fee). Their assets less liabilities looks interesting. One Director - Company establlshed 4 years ago. My initial reaction to the below is Hmmmmm !!! but I am no expert on these things. Owe more than the assets with little cash and net worth showing a loss ?? They could be a very good company but couldn't help looking purely out of intrigue. Available to anyone for nothing on companycheck.co.uk Find Out More Key Financials Cash £31.9k 40.24% Net Worth £-24.4k 1.2k% Total Current Assets £380.6k 893.96% Total Current Liabilities £461.4k 475.37%

Also nearly forgot a young Mr Lambert who has also burst onto the scene big time last season. One more rider that the 2 Aussies have to possibly overcome in the quest for Wildcards :-)

Thanks for that. Sometimes you don't even realise that the BSF is a mine of information when you go looking for it :-) Not good news for the Aussies then being reduced from 5 to 3. You would have thought though that commonsense would have prevailed in splitting the now reduced 3 places over the 4 meetings at one per meeting rather than having 2 going in one meeting thus possibly reducing the qualification chances a bit. It indeed means that Jack Holder and Brady Kurtz will not be qualifying for the 2020 SGP unless they have incredible seasons and qualify via Wildcards. With the quality of young POL riders that won't be easy. Both will have to try even harder in the Aussie Champ in 2020 and hope that maybe Fricke can qualify for SGP in his own right and maybe Holder Sr can squeeze in. That may lower the Aussie Champ quality fields next season but suppose you should qualify by right and not just because you crept into the top 5. Having said that both Holder Jr & Kurtz still only 22 and plenty of time on their side as neither at this stage of their careers are SGP quality riders. Hopefully one day though ;-)

Press release a bit confusing. Last season (2018) the 4th & 5th qualified for the qualifiers and the set up for 2019 seems to be the same looking on the FIM calendar for SGP qualifiers for 2019. It mentions 4 qualifying meetings and then the SGP Challenge same as 2018. Don't quite get what SGB website means by SGP Semi Finals ??? If it is 5 riders get some form of qualification like last season then Holder Jr & Kurtz CURRENTLY fill those places with Masters & Lidsey a few points back. Have the FIM reduced it from 5 to 3 and why do SGB say SGP Qualification semi finals which would normally be 2 meetings ??? Anyone know for sure what applies ??

Reading the SGB meeting report could explain it. According to that the 3 top riders over the 5 meetings automatically qualify for the SGP qualifying Semi Finals. Jack was already 12/14 points plus back so knew no chance of overtaking Chris for that last qualifying place. Maybe Jack did big brother a small favor in cementing that spot.