STEVEHOLS54

Hey - Come on this is a Poole 2018 forum ;-) In fairness he is doing well in SWE and POL and seems to have upped his game in UK. To indulge you though - yes 9 points from his first 3 rides is indeed good. Which begs the question why is Brady Kurtz not doing similar. Maybe this is the season young Robert steps up to the plate all over Europe. Hope so as British Speedway needs a lift in respect of up and coming riders on the World stage (beside Woofie who is already established).

One would think that after last season he would have better quality lined up IF he can afford it and IF they want to come to UK. After what the BIG PR disaster of the 70th Anniv rain off - what it cost to fly in and accomodate all those guest plus the big dinner - rain offs and the loss of a no doubt profitable BH meeting against Somerset. Throw in the fact he openly admitted he had to cut back costs (hence we all know why no team kevlars). Factor in poor possible attendances with the poor start. Loss of revenue in general. Who knows what his plans will be, but I am sure he will want to avoid another failed season or I fear he may consider dropping a league (or two) or maybe even getting out of the biz ?? Hope not but I am sure even now he has been thinking of options long term as the sport seems to be diving deeper with dropping fan support in UK Speedway since the fixed day agreement and bad weather losses. If its his main source of revenue being a full time owner/promoter with his min source of income it seems a thankless task trying to stay at the top of his game when riders around him drop form like its raining stones. Notwithstanding issues such as the CH visa situation.

Brady and his team being literally slaughtered in Sweden. Losing 42-18 away and another not so good night for Brady. 4 points from 4 rides with no bonus and one excl. Got a feeling he may not get a 5th ride but could be wrong. Hope he is better when back on UK soil tomorrow. Holder a bit better although his team losing AGAIN... 6 paid 7 from 3. Woryna not so good in same team with 3 paid 4 from 3. Sundstrom 4 plus 2 from 3 rides. He certainly racks up some bonus points this guy. But as we know overseas form means nothing in UK as certain posters have made mention of many times.

Nuh its called keeping the forum topic interesting. It might work or it might fail. Who knows, but for those of us genuinely interested in the sport doesnt do any harm to try and engage in sensible dialogue rather than personal peeing contests ;-)

Its going to be interesting as a lot will be to do with timing. If he gets it right he could well bring in an 8 pointer plus Chris H to replace both Sundstrom and Grazoniak and get within the 42.5 limit. I know it sounds crazy but for that also to happen Brady MUST keep his 20 meeting rolling GSA below 8. Timing again dictates he has to achieve that over the next home meeting and maybe also the one after against Wolves depending on when Matt would juggle all the figures for a redeclaration. His official GSA prior to last night was 7.64 and after yesterday crept up to 7.67. Fortunately its gauged over the last 20 meetings. Of course Spaniak and Woryna have crept up to 4.92 and 5.08 and will probably go up again against Rye House and Wolves ?? - However to offset that Sundstrom has gone down to 5.33 as fortunately for team building purposes his 10 bonus points don't count on the GSA's. I am sure that Matt has all of the figures well in hand as he contemplates maybe building/redeclaring the team within the 42.5 point limit. As a footnote I assume Nielsen will keep his 3.67 point limit irrespective come the new GSA's effective after the meeting with Wolves on 23/5 as he would not have ridden the 4H&4A meetings to qualify for a new GSA come 1st June. Another small bonus as his 2 meeting GSA has crept up to 4.5 and may climb a bit higher after 2 home meetings. Having said all this there is of course the small matters of 1) Can he afford an 8 pointer 2) Would one want to come to the UK anyway with so many already committed to POL/SWE/DK/SEC/SGP/National Team and all the SGP qualifiers riders such as Piotr Pawliki will be trying to qualify for. The next 2 weeks definitely going to be interesting.

On the subject of Josh G poor form. Could him giving up Champ in an all out attempt to break into POL (Nice 1) have any bearing on it. I saw in a recent interview he said he was spending up to 4 days a week in POL and was in effect living out of a back pack. We know he applied and got his POL licence and he said he was doing a lot o practicing out their to prove to the Poles he was worthy of inclusion, although those few matches he has ridden in were hardly impressive. Josh is a rider who for years has done well in the pressure cooker of riding every few days (if not more) in both Champ and Prem and also was well noted for taking on plenty of guest bookings at the last moment for teams with rider shortage due to injuries etc. Bottom line though he was based in UK and not constantly trundling off to POL/SWE etc. May not be any connection but not coincidental that by changing a proven routine where he was on the bike every couple of days in Uk has been swapped by living out of a back pack between POL and UK every few days without that guaranteed routine of plenty of rides. Just a thought.

I would assume that IF Killer could not commit to Poole due to his prior contract in DK which would have meant him missing 9 home meetings (approx), then would it not be the same story IF they tried to sign Klindt ?? Nicolai would have been made aware he was not part of Poole's 2018 team plans so no doubt he would have therefore commited to a full season riding in DK. He rode his first match for Holsted last week. If the same logic applies as for Killer then one would assume he wont be a possibility for Poole come any redeclaration of the team end May/June. Same may also apply to young Frederick Jakobsen who Matt was interested in. He rides in the same Dk team as Killer so I assume same problem applies. I see Kacper Gomolski is twiddling his thumbs a bit not getting selected in the normal starting 7 for Fabulaz and looks like that will continue unless some riders lose form. May also be a reluctance to loan him out to another team. Partly his own fault having been insistant he move back to POL EXL having been a heat leader in Nice 1 last season. He did reasonably well in same tournament as Brady in Leszno yesterday. BUT having just typed that I notice he was also riding in DK last week. Has he commited a full season or would he be able to drop DK in favour of UK IF.... Poole were interested in signing him in a redeclared team. These fixed day agreements (where UK were supposed to be MON/THUR) is surely narrowing the changes possibilities for those who decide to buck the agreement and race on WED. We already saw how the likes of Lambert were able to walk away from the PREM Riders Champ last week due to a contract in DK. Its going to be interesting what Matt can come up with IF he does decide to redeclare. What with riders already commited to POL/SWE/DK it maybe narrows the field, unless his main aim is to try and squeeze another 8 pointer in IF Brady's rolling GSA can be kept just below that magic 8 mark. But then an 8 pointer will cost no doubt a small fortune and do they really want to commit to UK. Much as i would love to see say Piotr Pawlicki back in UK is his main aim is going to be POL/SWE/POL National team plus most importantly qualifying again if possible for the SGP via the various meetings and subsequent final. As it looks currently I have my doubts if Chris Holder coming back will solve the problems unless some of these non performing riders get their finger out. Plus what is going to be available if they don't. I think Chris will have his up and down meetings but hopefully will get above his current GSA. Going to be an interesting 2/3 weeks coming up I think.

I do hope that the astonishing loss of form of the Pirates this year (except Brady) isnt about to suddenly strike again. Worrall signed on temp cover (for now) only yesterday. His first meeting since for Glasgow (his home track) has scored 2 from 3 rides (incl a 15m handicap start) so far against Workington. Okay its only one meeting and one swallow doesnt make summer, however, even by his standards its a bad meeting (so far) plus Workington beating them on their own track by 7 currently. Bewley has also just set a new Glasgow track record just prior to current track grading. Hopefully Worrall will get his bad meeting out of the way today as we dont want similar when he rides for Poole this coming week.

Surely this has to be one big wind up ???? Just checked the Polish stats for 2018 and cant find him riding for any POL EXL or POL Nice 1 Club which shows I suppose how much potential he has retained ?? If it is true then I think fair to say Ford has not got much money plus perhaps it is correct that none of the top guys want to risk racing on UK tracks. What happened to Vaculik would no doubt also be on some riders minds and for sure none of them want to risk it for the peanuts UK pays in comparison to both Pol/Swe. Hope it isnt true as unless he is coming in on some crazy low av at reserve then makes no sense to me. Better to get Klindt back instead of Smolinski. Think we are in for an interesting next 10/14 days as Matt has to redeclare his new team in time for the new GSA's (last qualifying day being 23rd May where also the new riders get their first GSA's under the 4 home/4 away which coincides with Poole's home meeting with Wolves).

Not so from the mercurial Sundstrom. A heady 2 from 4 rides. Seems he is continuing his good form shown for |Poole and Gorzow (not). I can see him losing at least 2 of this 3 team slots at this rate. Sorry forgot he also rides in SWE League 2 so maybe he can score a few points against those riders who are lower class. Having said that tonight in sweden Woryna scored only 4 from 4 rides incl one tape exclusion and Holder only scored 7 paid 8 from 5. Seems only Brady is holding it up at the moment. Kildermand finally got it together though with 12 plus 1 from six after a pointless first ride.

I think Klindt is a half decent reserve but have my doubts as a top half of the team rider. In his 12 matches in 2017 mainly as reserve he achieved 5.78 (excl BP). Sundstrom currently in main body (even if partly protected riding at 2) is 5.75 excl BP based on his first 4 league matches. Who has the greater scope to improve. I would argue probably Sundstrom if he gets a similar new rolling GSA come 23/5 which is the last qualifying meeting on the 4H/4A effective from June. In an ideal World I would love to see a Woryna (currently 4.89) and either a Klindt/Sund as reserve partner but cant see that happening. Sundstrom is ideal to keep if they are looking to strengthen further up as one would HOPE that his av will eventually climb. Cant help thinking they will persevere with Shanes if only because they need the points to strengthen at the top. If they go too strong at reserve that would scupper having say Holder/Kild or maybe another 8 pointer come in. It would clear the muddy waters a bit if we could at least be told there was a good chance Chris will be back from 1st June as it would be a clear indication he still formulates part of the team when the new rolling GSA's for all riders come into effect. In the meantime we can only play the guessing game on what may be the team combo come 1st June.

Looking at Matts interview in the Echo I cant help thinking he may be planning as flws wef 1st June Think he maybe viewing it as a reshaping based on. BK/JG/JS on their new rolling av (Brady now on 7.64/Josh on 6.79) - Sundstrom will if he keeps at current season av will drop to what he is presently achieving approx 5.75 excl BP. Woryna currently on about 4.89 so would drop into reserve which is what most of us hoped he would do before the Spaniak move. Chris Holder to come back on his 7.16 GSA as chances are we wont see him before June ?? - Kilderman in to replace Spaniak. His current av is 7.37 but even if he stayed at his assessed GSA of 7.17 he would fit in a redeclared team just below the 43 point team limit. That would maybe explain persevering with Spaniak a bit longer as he knows it would also justify emptying him if he continues as is and would potentially swap for a better rider ?? Ok chances are they wont get top of the league but after the current start I think Matt would happily take a play off place. Let's be honest. Whatever he does now probably wouldnt help us salvage points at either Swindon or Rye House so start thinking ahead for the plan B come 1st June. Ideally I would like to see another proven 8 pointer come in after the 1st June but that might require more tinkering on av. Having said that if we dont get decent individual rider points from both of those matches then will be interesting what Matt attempts come the visit of say Rye to Poole. If the av by then indicate they could fit a new 8 pointer. No doubt Matt has fine detail on all of this info on riders current rolling GSA's are as well as what potentially riders would get as new rolling GSA's come 1st June. (23rd May is last date for new GSA calculation which coincides with Wolves coming to Poole). One thing for sure is that Woryna at reserve would be great as he will undoubtedly get better. No doubt there are other poss rider combinations out there.

I wonder if Matt is beginning to think when will I wake up from the nightmare which has so far been 2018. Firstly it must have cost a tidy sum to put together that 70th Anniv meeting in March which was rained off and the cost to put together that dinner/dance and all the accomodation/flight costs of those special guests. No meeting and no income must have been a big hit to his pocket. That was followed by 2 home rain offs incl the normally well attended and no doubt profitable Bank Holiday meeting against local rivals Somerset. Next we have the situation of Chris Holder which is no nearer conclusion despite earlier comments of it taking approx 2 max 3 weeks when first announced in March. The lack of any news from the club on when it may be resolved not forthcoming instead just a stony silence yet he is racing in Poland and for Australia also in Poland only yesterday as well as best pairs meetings. The lack of any news or a sensible update hardly helps. I find it hard to believe they cant put at least some kind of anticipated time frame on a resolution to the personal situation. Then there is Kildermand the cover (or maybe something more permanent) performing as some of us with an idea thought he might i.e to his Polish form of the last 2 seasons instead of that flair SGP rider many thought we were getting. Add to this both the Poles and Sundstrom struggling. One I can maybe understand but all 3 ??. Then again Sudstroms POL form both last year and this is enough to tell the story. Spaniak - God knows whats happened there as although he did have a good season last year in both Nice 1 and SEC (did ok), maybe looking deeper into his previous seasons in Nice 1 tells its own story as nowhere near what he was last year. Even Rybnik (where he rides as first heat leader) may end up dumping him after his woeful efforts this year so its not just a UK thing. Woryna - Its as if you can discount his 2017 brilliant POL EXL season and he has gone back in UK to riding to the level he was in 2016 ??. POL he seems to be holding up ok but then so far still not the brilliance (so far) of 2017and he is riding one league down. He is only 21 though and definitely worth keeping. Thought he would be one of our 2 reserves which was a brilliant move (before Spaniak came along). Maybe Matt has plans on that front from June onward anyway where I think he will really shine. Then there is the team kevlars story which was put out with what they deemed as positive spin for being the only Prem Team not purchasing team kevlars. Have never agreed with it and when you get the likes of Woryna in those red kevlars looking so out of place to the others can you really tell me that is progress ?? Matt himself said he was having to cut back on costs but maybe nearer the truth was the amount of money thrown a the 70th Anniv meeting and Dinner/dance which no doubt such a saving contributed towards the ultimate PR disaster due to the rain off. Of course maybe he had hindsight thinking that maybe at least 2/3 of this team may not be riding in it come June ?? Even so I dont think the use your own kevlars creates the right team image although some die hard fans will probably disagree. Believe me I was brought up seeing Speedway from 1970/71 as a teenager so was used to riders having their own leathers back in the day. The sport has moved on and all top teams have team kevlars and personally I prefer it that way. Of course Matt may not want to awake from his nightmare at the moment anyway. Doesn't he have Spaniak and Woryna lodging with him when they are in UK and possibly Sundstrom also stays over ??. Chances are he probably wants to skip the morning after the nigh before breakfast chat anyway as he contemplates possibly serving some eviction notices as the situation worsens. In fairness to Matt I dont thing anyone forsaw the beast from the east and the continual rain that hit us the way it did causing such nightmares. Also certainly not having a situation like the Holder delay as well as so many riders not performing to what we know they are capable of in a league weaker than both POL Leagues. I feel a bit for Brady. Only 21 - still learning and not an out and out number 1 so early in his career. Of course he will have up and down meetings but thats how it is when you are on the progression path. He needs a true number one in the team like he has in POL so he can concentrate on his own riding and not carrying the can for the whole team. I still have faith in Matt sorting it but for sure I dont envy him the task as its not easy, notwithstanding what cost may be involved when money is thin on the ground in UK Speedway.

MFF made a not irrelevant comment on the Somerset match thread in which he qtd "Keep this 1-7 for the rest of the month then the following happens. Out of the KO Cup. Probably 7 points off 4th spot in the Premiership. Another hammering by the Robins on Monday and if Rye win then we are bottom of the table" Poole's next 4 matches to get to the first set of new rolling GSA's for the 3 new riders are assessed are Swin A - Rye H A - RH H - Wolves H. I cannot see this current team getting any points at Swin or the small specialised RH track. We may scrape 3 points against Rye at home as they are as bad as our team on present form. Against Wolves we may well struggle again. Matt will have a decision to make as last thing he wants is not being able to use these riders current GSA's come 1st June as Spaniak and Sundstrom are below their current levels. Woryna will surely be kept and could be an ideal shoe in at reserve with either maybe Shanes or even maybe Klindt returning. I still think Matt may be thinking of using the Kurtz/Graz new rolling av to his advantage to maybe accomodate a new 8 pointer ?? (maybe Piotr Pawlicki) if he can afford such expense. I am not conviced jiggling it around to accomodate Holder and Kildermand is the answer as I have severe reservations as to which way killers career is going He is as inconsistent here as he is in Poland hence why he has been so low in POL EXL av for last 2 seasons and didnt make the cut in SGP. We could well have a situation where this could work to Ford's long term advantage that a combination of Kurtz new GSA of 7.64 (below 8) - Josh G a bit down on his starting GSA now 6.79 - Woryna currently on 4.89 after 4 meetings - replace Spaniak - even Sundstrom is on a current 5.75 (another poss reserve if he continues as is as his BP dont count on GSA. Holder still on 7.16 so wont be facing a higher GSA come June which surely he would have got had he started the season. There are numerous possibilities and permutations which Matt can use to his advantage (totally legally and not cheating) to his advantage to take advantage of riders falling av and poss plans for new riders coming in to get within the 43 point limit come 1st June. Maybe why he is keeping fairly quiet about the situation currently ??

It helps when visiting formutites contribute to sensible dialogue to make discussion interesting rather than assuming Poole are on the fiddle. Like Matt Ford would really enjoy us losing both our away and one of our home matches against its biggest rivals just to manipulate averages. I dont think so......

Honestly Gav. I think they would prefer to have the original riders performing to what they should be achieving taking into a/c what they should be capable of. However what are they supposed to do if the riders themselves don't step up to the plate ??. Persevere and potentially finish nearer bottom than top - possibly out of the play offs - lower crowds with the promotion possibly losing their backsides financially after the wash outs already this season to compound lower support level if they kept losing. Don't think either Ford or any other promoter would have much choice other than do what you can within the current rules to maximise what you can get out of it. I really cant believe that Matt Ford would enjoy being near enough bottom come third week of May if they continue in the form many have been so far. Its a distinct possibility unless they do get their fingers out.

Perhaps both Holder and Killer hold the key to that. In case of Holder I think Matt may well know already if he will be seen again this season. Also as I said in an earlier post - Him not racing here before 24/5 actually protects that low 7.16 GSA if he does come back into either the current or redeclared team. His personal situation for sure complicates it but many who have an educated idea know its complicated revolving around his immediate family situation which not for airing on this forum. Kildermand is partly interesting as I think he is looking over his shoulder after some less than inspiring performances for his main cash cow i.e Poland. He was only 37th in av last year and currently sits at 41st in 2018 just one above the equally non inspiring Sundstrom at 42. Ok its only 4 matches in but let's get real Poland only has 14 matches in regular season plus a max of 4 matches over semis/finals of play offs. Its up to the riders to be at the top of their game. Both Killer and Sund have been poor av wise over both last season and this in POL even if they are up against the top riders. Think about it - 8 POL EXL teams x 7 men is 56 riders incl juniors. What does that show if you are 41/42 ranked and also as bad last season. Ok in a much weaker UK league you would at least expect some improvement. Killer evaded a straight answer when he was questioned re possibility of riding UK full time this season. Seeing as they way things are going, he may be dropped by his POL team (already was for some rides and saw his backside in one meeting), doubt he will be back in SGP (in my opinion) - may scrape into SEC having qualified for the final meeting this weekend but if he doesnt then not even in that 4 meeting SEC season. It may well mean Mr Kildermand will be happy to have some revenue coming in from UK rather than warming his hands on the sidelines in POL if he doesnt pull his socks up. Of course Matt may well have his 8 point man lined up already if he can jiggle things around as wasnt there some comment made prior to the season that Piotr Pawlicki already had everything in place for Uk before the powers that be set him a starting GSA of 8 thus scuppering any attempts to come to Poole. I am sure I read that Wolves had already given Poole the ok to approach him prior to that. All conjecture of course and plenty can happen during the coming few weeks ;-)

I think Matt Ford has the rider situation kind of under control and probably knows already what his plan is if some of these riders continue to under perform. My take on this and pls correct me if any facts/comments wrong. GSA's are calculated according to the SCB rules 16.2 on basis of rolling av up to and incl the 23rd of the month and will be effective wef 1st flwg month. Riders who are new and have not achieved a rolling GSA need to complete 4 home & 4 away to get a rolling av. Interesting that Poole have their 8th qualifying LEAGUE meeting on 23rd May (assuming no more rain offs ??). So do we possibly have the flwg scenario that could allow Matt to plan forward and not be too unduly concerned if some of the guys (especially new ones) don't perform as most expected they would ?? Perhaps Mat Spaniak and Sundstrom will be emptied IF they do not obtain their season starting GSA's by the time the new rolling GSA's come out after those 8 qualifying meetings as no way Matt will want to lose new riders assessed points in having to replace them if both the named riders new GSA's are lower than their present and season starting GSA's. Also could we have a scenario that where Woryna's GSA of 4.65 could easily become a reserve in a redeclared team alongside Shanes if Matt wants to still keep points for the top end. Assuming he did that before any new GSA's come out wef 24/5. (To start wef 1st June). The grey area I have is on what are the rules (does anyone really know for sure) if a rider like our season starting number 1 Kurtz who was on just over 8 is now on his new rolling GSA of 7.64 wef 1/5 and Josh G is now on 6.79 having originally been over 7. Could they sign another 8 point rider to come in if a redeclared team would allow it ??? Interesting that Sundstrom current GSA is 5.75 according to Poole website. If it stayed as it was until 23/5 then Matt could possibly get rid of Spaniak and accomodate both Holder and Kildermand in a redeclared 1 to 7. I based this on looking at the teams current GSA on Speedway GB new GSA's taking riders new GSA's wef 1/5 - Brady/Josh and Shanes on rolling av and new riders (incl Kildermand) on season starting GSA's until they qualify on 23/5. Total is 41.20 - Using Sundstroms 5.75 current achieved GSA (if that became his new one) and deleting out Spaniak would allow about 7.76 which is easily enough to get Chris Holder in and Killer. More tinkering (or any riders dropping more on their GSA's) could even allow an 8 pointer in (if the rules would allow it ??) All if's/but's and maybe's of course but perhaps why Matt has been very quiet so far, if he already has plans in place if the current crop don't come good ?? By the way not a conspiracy theory but just Forum airing opinion. I am sure Matt would have preferred a side with Chris in it from the off and with riders who were wetting all Poole supporters appetites actually performing to what most expected. Who would have thought that Spaniak would have struggled so badly not only in UK but also badly out of form in Poland where he was supposed to be Rybnik number one but has achieved only 11 points from 13 rides - not a single heat win and a 4 ride av of 3.38. Dropped from one meeting and came back and was even replaced in rides. For a guy who was number 1 in the Nice 1 last season it is a concern as his UK form is also not looking great, even if only 4 meetings in UK plus the woeful performance 70 year anniv meeting. I thought he brought his last seasons all conquering bikes over for UK this season which makes it even more baffling. Wouldnt surprise me if Spaniak is dropped again this weekend in favour of Cook as he is the main reason Rybnik have not been so good this season.

If you look at some of the recent Polish stats/history perhaps it is not such a great surprise that some of the pool riders are not performing as some had built them up to be. All av shown are 4 ride per meeting av calculated out. Spaniak - The guy is 31 and his last Uk appearances some years ago were not inspiring. Signed mainly on what he achieved in POL Nice 1 (below Pol EXL) last season.I.E his 9.16 4 ride av and rode ok in the SEC series. For example. In 2015 & 2016 his Nice 1 av was only 6 & 6.30. No significant performances to make one interested in signing his and his previous UK form wasnt inspiring. In 2018 he has had 14 rides for Rybnik and only achieved 4.89 4 ride av. Was dropped for Cook at the weekend who fared no better. BUT will he be back in their side this weekend. You would never have though last seasons rider would be dropped by his new club and begs the question is he returning to what he achieved in previous seasons ?? Sundstrom - 27 but showed promise when last in UK years ago as a young up and coming Swede. Has he pushed on ??. In 8 matches in POL EXL in 2018 he achieved only 4.5 and in 2018 so far he has only achieved 3.64 from 3 matches and 11 rides. In 2016 he achieved 7.1 in Nice 1 which to repeat is not the POL EXL. Remember these are 4 ride calculations. In Sweden he seems to do better at about 7 last season. The point being he is not doing it in UK (so far) or POL (last season or so far this season). Kildemand - Should Matt be considering him IF he became available. Peter's form has not been great last season or this (so far). Last season he was near enough bottom of SGP although yes he did come in after a few meetings but again his overall form not that great. In POL worryingly last season he had an av of only 4.90 and so far this season from 3 meeting he has only achieved 5.09 as a 4 ride av. In fact his manager at his club was so peeved that he dropped him after 1 ride last Sunday which set rumours going as to whether he will be at the club for that long. Considering their current form in POL and also for Poole is it really such a big surprise they are not doing what many expected they would ?? Even Josh G has started badly in POL Nice 1 with 7 points from 7 rides in 2 matches so far but of course this is his first full season. Hope he doesnt get dropped by the Poles or he could regret not having a Champ side for the regularity of rides. Anyway its early doors and these are just numbers. Cant help thinking though that Matt Ford is also closely following results of these riders overseas. I wonder how long he will be silent if they fail again at Kings Lynn ??

Well Woryna certainly shone today with 13 paid 15 for a paid max :-) Comments indicate he is really fast as he scored points from behind in more than one ride. Spaniak not so impressive with 4 paid 6 from 4 rides but had a fall in that. He also wasnt over impressive in an earlier training challenge match this last week. Again early doors for Spans as it is a new team and track and maybe new equip to be ridden in if as i read earlier he is using his last years POL equip in UK this year. Hope so as that equip was flying for him last year in POL. Going to be interesting to see how they bed in this year in UK, but seems maybe Matt Ford already has one or two options in Jackobsen and maybe even Smektala if Spaniak or any other lower order doesnt step up to the plate come June.

Except his final ride which he was way out the back and cost them a point but arguably same can be said for Kurtz for Leszno who's bike looked a bit slow but hopefully will improve as he gets more experience.

Just seen live stream of Sparta v Leszno. Initial reaction is that Kurtz engine doesnt look fast enough and yet again choked when it mattered most. 3 paid 5 from 5 rides incl 2 last places in last 2 rides. Arguably cost Leszno victory as was well placed third on last bend of his final ride but lost out to Drabik who was braver up the inside nd took him form the back. Also considering Drabik has less practive than Kurtz has this week I think we saw who is the better rider. Early days I know but he needs to get quicker engine (maybe its his set up), and also needs to be more ruthless as had he been braver he would have won that match for Leszno. Even so another good meeting served up by these 2 teams similar to the last match of last season.

Interesting comment. Am sure I read somewhere (maybe on the forum from you PB) that Smektala is coming over to Uk in June with Woryna as may be interested in riding in UK. Not sure what date first new GSA's come into effect and second question being I wonder what GSA a young Pole never having ridden UK would be given. I would assume that if D.Drodz being a last year Polish EXL Junior with Sparta (not this season as reached 21) is 5 as per 2018 starting GSA, then Smektala who is not 20 even until August and is still a Leszno junior, would be a maximum of 5 having also never ridden UK. I am sure Matt Ford has already done his homework as many who flw POL EXL will know he is one of the most (if not the best UNDER 21) exciting POL youngsters riding POL EXL. I exclude Woryna as he is 22 this year. I can kind of see a Woryna situation where he also visited UK (Poole) before embarking on riding in UK even if initially Poole could not accomodate him. I think Smektala may be ahead of where Woryna was at 19 and Matt may have already decided he wants him if he is prepared to come and has the normal accomodation and sponsorship made available which Matt has arranged so well with young riders ranging from Darcy to Chris/Brady and now Kacper. The combination of Matt & Neil having accomodation available for these young riders (as well as bike storage/workshop facilities) I think is a big advantage in signing riders. Will be interesting to see how the Smektala situation develops.

First bit of good news all Winter for KL. The Poles have lifted the max 3 league rule meaning hopefully for you guys NKI will be announced shortly. Visit the Poole 2018 Forum to see the full announcement in English and when the news broke in the last hour :-)

Fantastic news . Just saw full article on the main POL Speedway site. The good news is that to my knowledge none of our riders are constrained by having commitments in DK on Wed. Maybe also a factor had we signed HA as I am sure he does his compliment of DK fixtures. A decent side for sure to watch in 2018.