STEVEHOLS54
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Posts posted by STEVEHOLS54
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5 minutes ago, Steve Shovlar said:
So, are Poland going to back down allowing us to name Sundstrom and Shanes, or are they going to dig their heels in meaning we name P Pawlicki and Shanes?
1 Brady Kurtz
2. Kacper Woryna
3. Josh Grajczonek
4. Chris Holder
5. Piotr Pawlicki
6. Mateusz Szczepaniak
7. James Shanes
No team out there to touch us with that 1-7. Swap out Pawlicki and bring in Sundstrom and we will still be the powerhouse team in the league. Strongest top 5, with Mateusz Szczepaniak at reserve, supported by Pirates rider of the year in 2017 James Shanes. Should be a very exciting season for us Pirates fans.
Another point to make is with Sundstrom we are well sort of the 42.5. Meaning should a rider underperform, we have scope to redeclare before the first GS to bring in a good replacement.
Assuming it is Sundstrom (if as reported Pawlicki is on 8) then if each rider performs to reasonable form and Woryna improves, I thing Mats Stepz may struggle to get out the reserve berth. If he does will we see the likes of either Chris/Linus/Josh or Woryna drop into reserve.
Doesn't bear thinking about that such riders could each qualify for up to 6 or 7 rides with numerous opportunities to race against other reserves ?? That's if Mats was to bang in some decent scores from reserve thus giving him a possibly inflated average come end of May/early June when the first GSA's tend to come out.
Of course at this stage all theory (before Gav jumps into the discussion), because ultimately it all has to be proved on the track but doesn't hurt to at least dream a little what may happen if the guys were to perform ;-)
Also need if possible injury free.
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1 hour ago, poolebolton said:
When Leon Madsen was floating around think its now clear why it didn't happen.
His wage was released today.
He is on 300K a year in Poland now. Plus £850 per point scored .
No need to do the UK if you earning best part of 500K a year and his sponsors will cover the costs he has.
Shows the level of sport.
No wonder his twitter a/c is happy to show him in far flung exotic holidays in the close season ;-)
According to stats he scored 145 points which if it is £850 per point = £123,250 to add to the £300k. Factor in as you say all his sponsors (incl what must be a tasty little deal he announced the other day with Mercedes), then no wonder he doesn't need UK. Can you imagine what an injury on one of our tracks would cost him ??
No great surprise then that he doesn't even need Sweden at those income levels. Factor in him also riding in say SEC qualifiers and probably main tournament. SGP qualifiers plus maybe those infrequent appearances in Germany. He sure doesn't need to over race himself. Believe he even lives there full time now.
Indeed the sport has moved to another level in POL. No wonder young riders such as Brady Kurtz & Jack Holder want to prove their worth in the POL EXL. The potential rewards are mind boggling if the likes of Madsen can aspire to that level of income. OK you still have to prove you can do it though as Madsen has done in POL. The rest of the leagues it doesn't really matter how good or bad he would be as long as he performs on their stage most weeks.
Not only that but 14 league matches only plus a max of 4 play off ties and that's IF they make the play-offs.
Tough at the top huh ??
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7 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:
Woryna will have identical kit to his Polish equipment!!
Maybe he can also supply a couple of similar missiles (engines) to help out Matsz Spanz as well.
The fact they will be both be team mates in UK & POL and believe both staying with Matt Ford, one would think they will work closely together, if as I think I read that Middlos place may be used to keep their bikes etc ??
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18 minutes ago, foreverblue said:
He hasn't really lit up any league lately.
Many forget how far Fricke has come in the sport for one of only 21.
He has won the Aussie U21 a few times - was World U21 Champ and has also been in teams that won their respective leagues in DK/SWE & POL (Nice1), the season before last.
For me just as with Brady Kurtz, people expect big things so early in their Speedway careers, sometimes using Dacy Ward as the example which for me is completely unfair as Darcy was a rare talent we many never see the likes of again.
Speedway riders develop at different rates. You had one extreme with young Darcy and at the other extreme was a late developing Jason Doyle. Would anyone say 5/6/7 years ago have thought this guy would ever really be a WC (should have been twice but for injury cruelly robbing him in 2016).
It doesn't mean that just because you arrive on the scene and hit the big time so young that you will in those early years be a World beater. Some riders take time to mature, and with Fricke having achieved so much at such a young age, he needs to find consistency now riding regular against the Worlds top riders. That will surely come as he rides more against them in the major leagues i.e POL/SWE/UK. Similar situation with Brady. He is kind or thrown in at the deep end at 21 as number one and personally I wish he had been just short of 8 points and a recognised heat leader like a Pawlicki (himself only 23) had been number one. The new one over 8 rule put paid to that so he is there due to circumstances.
I don't expect Brady to put too much on his av this year with the addl pressures of now being regular in POL and his new venture into SWE. This is a year of hopeful improvement but more about consolidating himself against the top riders in Europe. He now has to get used to a situ like POL SUN - Poss UK meeting MON - SWE Tue - Poole,or another UK meeting WED. That in itself brings pressure so for me from a Poole perspective it is up to the other riders in 2018 to pull their weight so it doesn't all fall on his head when he has those odd difficult/bad rides which all young riders have now and then.
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5 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:
Ha ha. That's given me several minutes of good catching up!!
However, the first part of my post is 100% correct.
I made no comment at all about him being in the starting line-up as all the 9 point (now 8 point?) assessed averages for GP riders are clearly for initial team-building to the 42.50 limit. Woe betide any of the starting top 4 (or 5) who may not perform to their abilities or may even get injured before the first set of new averages cos there would be a ready-made replacement with a valid 7 point average from the last time he rode in the EL, waiting in the wings - terms agreed; sponsorship sorted - whats not to like?!
Who knows - it could also apply to other riders eg Lindback - but it doesn't!!
As others have said, the first option - subject to the Poles ruling - is Sundstrom and Shanes.
Come on Skidder. You knew full well what putting out a comment worded in the way it was would cause on the Forum. Especially when some of us have come to expect some of your advance hints/comments to be sensible/credible.
More than happy if its Sundstrom but had there been a reassessment of Pawlicki it could have been so much better. At least we can kick this one into the long grass (for now)
You will no doubt however have great joy in reminding all come next mid season of the above post SHOULD a rider get dropped for not performing and a certain Mr Pawlicki gets signed
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15 minutes ago, g13webb said:
Forgive me for my feelings towards Lambert, but to harp on about sponsors and equipment shows a lack of professionalism . When the season ends all top riders make the sponsorship business their first concern. They all want to be assured the deals are in place to cover most of the expected expenses. If someone like Lambert, who is regarded as the best English hope, is struggling for support, something is drastically amiss.
However, probably it was my up-bringing , but airing ones washing in public is not the behaviour, you expect from a member of the exclusive top earners in the sport, and I feel this information should be kept private. Pleading poverty doesn't do the sport or anybody any good..
Of course he did also make it public that he may not even stay in UK in 2018.
Doesn't he now live in Germany with his Girlfriend. Maybe he had intentions to live abroad and take no part in KL or UK thus perhaps didn't bother to seek out Sponsorship in UK for 2018 ??
Just an opinion.
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1 hour ago, Bagpuss said:
Exactly these. Lots if predictable OTT stuff on here but I quite like the honesty of the article. He's not saying he's not happy at Lynn, just that he thinks some time away will benefit his career and its hard to disagree. He is also bang on about the asset system. And the sponsorship bits are quite common this time of year, pretty much every rider is looking for backing.
Glad he is back with the Stars, and he may well feel differently this time next year. If not he will go elsewhere with my best wishes.
Just highlights though state of the sport in this Country, when the biggest Young individual talent we have in UK cannot (at this stage) secure sufficient sponsorship to finance new equip for him for 2018.
Its a different World when the likes of Leon Madsen (you remember that 5/6 point rider from years ago) has just announced a tie up with Mercedes Czestochowa.
We really are on different planets in the sport. Then you look at the problems at the old Coventry track and the video released today flwg the fire with the gypos having set fire to the place. You think Jeez - just bulldoze the place and build on it. Leave us all with the memories of happier days in the sport. Not the shell and bombsite it is now.
You think where is it all heading for UK Speedway ???? - Maybe we are heading for a one league system ultimately and will be a breeding ground for riders making their way in the sport and journeymen.
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1 hour ago, foreverblue said:
I am really struggling to believe all you gullible lot on here.
if it is Skidder winding us all up then he better get on here asap and retract it. He has been close to some inside info ahead of others in the past but on this one I cant tell if he is pulling our leg or it has some substance behind it.
Come on Skidder let us know if this is an early April Fools joke ;-)
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4 minutes ago, stevebrum said:
It's already been confirmed he will be a 9 (or 8) as a GP rider of 2017/2018.
Only cheating will allow this to become a reality.
Unfortunately for us all only the BSPA and Matt Ford will know the answer on a GSA for 2018 if this rumour has any truth in it. Could just be a rumour of course. Mind you Skidder is normally fairly reliable on a lot of info. Assuming he isn't just pulling our leg ;-)
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49 minutes ago, Skidder1 said:
Terms agreed with Pawlicki after getting permission from Wolves - just the outstanding question of what average he may still be re-assessed on?!
Well Skidder if this is not one of your leg pulls ;-) then.
1) Pawlicki - I think not caught up in 3 Lge rule as believe only signed POL/SWE so could be announced without a delay ??
2) I thought I read on the BSF several times recently that all foreign riders had now been assessed/reassessed as comments mentioned over 200 foreign riders had been sorted. Must be as the likes of Vaculik as a current GP rider and Piez have been sorted for Leicester.
If this is serious inside info then it would be a major coup if he is down around the 7.85 mark.
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Look don't get me wrong as I am a Chris Fan (as a rider that is).
I was not aware re the twitter as have not seen it but exactly the same was put out on his website yesterday.
The point I am making is that he has only put out the official announcement in which even that only has Matts comments with nothing in the way of comment from Chris.
Its is normal for riders to put out a personal comment from themselves saying they are pleased or happy to be riding in 2018 for ??? and are looking forward to riding or in Chris's case returning to the club.
Is it me or is there nothing in the way of any personal comment from Chris, which is what is making me think he is doing this near enough against his own wishes and only because without Poole he had no other option which perhaps could also have maybe affected his visa??
Someone like Hans Andersen would have made a comment about how happy he would have been to be returning to Poole as no doubt most other senior heat leader figures (or even normal middle/lower riders) would have put out more personal messages other than just forwarding the clubs statement which had no personal input/comment from the rider himself.
Its hardly welcoming himself back into the hearts of the Poole supporters although I suppose irrespective of what he thinks, ultimately its what he does on the track that matters. I am sure if he doesn't perform then we know what the ultimate outcome will be either mid or end of the 2018 season.
Lets hope that's not the case. Would have been nice to have seen something from the guy personally though and I think many Poole fans would agree.
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I see that Chris Holder has just signed up for a new Team Hancock Raj. Some form of new Speedway Team concept according to WP Sport Fackty.
From his comments he also seem quite excited at the venture. His comments as copied from the article in the last 10 mins.
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The Australian does not hide that he is positive about working with his older colleague. - When Greg invited me to this project, I thought it was amazing. I knew right away that I wanted to be involved in this program. It does not often happen to be part of something like that and I'm excited about it. Greg and Rafał have big plans. We will be like a motocross team, where everything is planned and done to the max. I can not wait for the beginning of this cooperation. Last season was not easy for me, but it seems to me that this is a new beginning and a really nice opportunity for a fresh start - said Holder.
Unquote
Interesting isn't it that he is more than happy to make comments in the POL press about this so called exciting new venture, but not a single word from the man about signing and returning to Poole in 2018.
Is it really that obvious that he doesn't want to be there in 2018 ???. I think near enough every major rider who has signed for a UK team has put comments out on social media about how happy they are to be riding for xyz in 2018 or have made comments via other media outlets about how happy they are.
Unfortunately Mr Holder has given us nothing to date. Even maybe a watered down "Back at Poole for 2018, and a thumbs up" would be better than total silence on his UK Club for 2018. We know he is using twitter as he is posting old injury photos to his friends while viewing the Aussie Champ.,
Is it really that painful to put something out to the Poole Fans who ultimately will be paying a fair chunk of his UK income.
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1 minute ago, Gavan said:
agreed
great rider but as i said earlier is prone to the odd silly ride......often gets 3 wins and then a 2 and a 0 for example or gets himself excluded.
Cut those out and could be top of the averages
Agreed Gav.
Its something I also noticed with him last year.
Problem we have with Brady is too many still make comparisons with Darcy Ward which of course the sensible amongst us know he is not. But the better he performs the comparisons with many die hard Poole fans is the more he is compared which I think is unfair being that 2017 was only his second in the Prem.
But suppose when you have had Holder who WAS a W/C and was so good for so long and also Darcy being the phenomenon he was, there will always be the comparisons and pressure when riding for the same team so closely behind those 2 legends. Also having done so much in respect of his AV in such a short period.
I really do hope that others like Woryna do step up to back him up as also maybe Holder and if signed Sundstrom and even Josh G as its unfair for him to be thrust in the deep end so young. But suppose if you have got the talent you ultimately have to live up to it.
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9 minutes ago, Col said:
Sundstrom rode in the Swedish Allsvenskan last year, I guess that counts as his third league.
Correct Sir - Hence the delay.
He has already signed quite early for another ALLSV team for 2018 as well as the SWE Elite and with Gorzow in POL that's his 3 (as it stands).
Let's hope the POLES do get it sorted sooner as its dragged on for too long already.
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I do hope Chris Holder is pulling our leg with the picture of what looks like 2 busted wrists in A&E on his twitter page this morning......
If this guy has seriously injured himself then there should be some serious questions asked by Matt if its some kind of motorcycling accident when he is not even competition riding. If its true I do hope we have not lost one of out top riders for ??? months and then he has to get back to full fitness.
Cant see any other posts from him since he shared it with Crump and another (plus anyone who follows him).
Will also be somewhat galling that he has not posted to my knowledge one single comment about how pleased he is to be back at Poole (or any other positive comment about returning), yet if true he is more than happy to share some personal injury misfortune to anyone following him on twitter.
Anyway it may not even be him or it may be an old photo, but even so as it stands it doesn't look too clever and surely raises maybe some doubts on his availability for the season start.
Also if true I bet Matt Ford will be less than a happy bunny with the Poles also still dragging their feet on the 3 league rule thus slowing up the Sundtrom announcement (as well as poor James Shanes who is awaiting the outcome as its all linked).
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28 minutes ago, Gavan said:
He should be a certainty for a place.
Increased his average....entertained the crowd.........and a young brit......why should he not be signed?
Think majority agree with you Gav.
Problem Ford faces is at this later stage could he get another 7 plus quality rider if they cant get Sundstrom (as strongly rumoured) if the Poles don't lift the max 3 league rule. If they don't lift the rule then it may also exclude other 7 plus possibilities, or those who can be afforded without megabucks deals for salary/equip/travelling/mechanics etc.
IF they don't lift the rule perhaps his thinking is that to compensate the loss of a 7 plus rider he may be partly forced in to 2 stronger lower av riders in the 5 plus area or he would face Shanes at 2.88 (or around that with the young Brit reduction) and maybe a 6 rider thus losing some available points available in team building.
Also think of how KL may be in trouble if the POLES don't lift it as I am sure they are banking on getting NKI back and he would also be out if they don't.
P.S: For those who don't realise why Sundstrom cant be signed yet is because he rides BOTH leagues in SWE as well as POL and has already signed for 2018. Meaning that as we speak he is on his 3 league max. I mention it as some contributors didn't seem aware assuming he was on just 2 leagues with SWE/POL. Nope its 3 hence the delay while the POLES continue to play the game of "We are the greatest league in the World and we will decide if we want to lift the rule when we want to".
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4 minutes ago, Gavan said:
yes
Yes. Something he has to eradicate but he is only 21.
On the positives every completed ride unbeaten in both rounds its just the EF/FALL/EXCL that probably have stopped him being top of the leader board.
Anyway its all good practice for 2018.
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13 minutes ago, poolebolton said:
Problem is Polish teams are getting richer and richer. Now have official bet sponsor for Torun for example.
Sparta has the biggest sponsorship for naming and it’s about £1million I believe.
Thats about the whole of GB speedway budget and it’s a title sponsor for one team.
That is probably not going to change in the next 20 years. If anything Speedway in UK will perhaps demise to a one league system where all the main riders will ride be at Champ or just above level.
Lets hope that it does keep and even improve its popularity in POL as that is the one country where in the main the sport is flourishing. While their is top money then ultimately it hopefully will attract top talent. I am happy for UK to play its part in rider development for the future even if the main and best riders get their main source of income from POL. Lets be realistic it just wont happen in UK.
If young foreign riders want to come here to improve their track skills fine with me as long as we keep plenty available for UK riders.
It would just be half decent though for our Polish friends to have made a decision by now considering how we bent over to meet them on fixed race days. Its not exactly rocket science to either say its lifted or its maintained, so why so long ??
I thought we had a special relationship with Poland considering how accommodating we are to the many who work & live here. A small reciprocal move to help assist the sport in UK for those riders who want to come here would be welcome ;-)
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13 minutes ago, stevebrum said:
Says someone who clearly doesn't go very often.
Says someone who clearly doesn't go very often.
For me, every Prem track has its part to play in the sport in the UK.
Riders need to adapt to the various tight turns etc as that is all part of getting the make up of a decent rider.
For me I am pleased and glad that plenty of riders view UK tracks as an important part of their Speedway development in honing their skills for things like the GP on the various tracks and conditions around Europe. From the current World Champ down in the SGP, most have had exposure to the UK and even Vaculik feels that Uk experience is something he needs to help improve his skills.
Let's not knock each others tracks too much. Yes there is a question over some of the preparation at times, some of the ruts/bumps/tight turns etc but that is part and parcel of British Speedway. The good riders overcome these problems and go on to progress using their experience of the UK as part of their knowledge and rise up the ranks.
There will always be some who knock Wolves or Poole or other tracks but that's the joy of the Sport here. Its good we see riders plying their trade on different size/shape tracks and surfaces and so what if some tracks give an advantage to home riders over others. For me it hasn't really changed that much in my 47 years of viewing speedway in UK.
Lets embrace what we have. If it was so bad would all of that talent over the years have ridden here. We are maybe now a breeding ground for nurturing future talent, but with the way the sport has shrunk in UK over the years and with all that is available for young people today as alternatives, lets all enjoy what we do have and not be so quickly to knock it.
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17 minutes ago, PHILIPRISING said:
PERHAPS the FIM will do something about the Poles and their self-imposed rules and continual moving of the goalposts. Incidehtally, a couple of pigs have just flown by my window.
Yes it is frustrating but unfortunately that is the Speedway World that the modern sport is now living in. They have moved forward majorly in their sponsorship and what the local Government puts into it, and their supporters have helped maintain and keep their interest in volume. For us unfortunately it is completely the opposite.
We could debate it all day but ultimately that's how it is.
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I wonder if anyone involved in the senior ranks of British Speedway has any idea when the Poles intend to meet or decide on the subject of the max 3 League rule for POL EXL riders incl one's nationality League.
Matt Ford eluded to it in his comments in the Echo this morning which most of us had an idea might be the reason why things were dragging on the last major rider (to a degree).
I mention it as plenty believe that NKI is part of Chapman's plan at KL and NKI has made no secret he would like to ride UK in 2018 as well as POL EXL/SWE/DK i.e 4 leagues.
According to Matt there are other team/s plus SWE and DK awaiting the ruling although doubt it affects SWE/DK as much with most squads already announced anyway.
One would have thought that flwg the UK having agreed to meet the POLES in regards to fixed race days, the decision on a yes or no would have followed fairly quickly. BUT to date nothing agreed and not even the hint of a mention on the main POL Speedway sites as to when it will be agreed to lift it to 4 or even abolish it (or even if they intend to keep it).
We know that the POLES have an arrogance about them because that is where the big money is (and don't they let everyone know it...), but it has dragged on and KL will be peed as will Matt if their team building plans have to take another direction.
Is anyone any the wiser on when that decision might be ???
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7 minutes ago, Badge said:
Better edit this then.....
Good luck POOLE Holder Junior has WARNED you,
Well lets hope both Holders have great seasons as well as Brady Kurtz and Josh G as we could well have 4 Aussies in the team for 2019.
Hopefully Jack will improve both as a rider and be mentally stronger for his season away and now with Torun. No doubt living with Chris and travelling to Poland as well as being at each others meetings when situations allow will also with luck help both of them long term.
I will be happy to see Jack bang in some big scores even against us at Poole or at Somerset this season just to show us who believe in him that he is long term an asset and team member worth having.
Hopefully what happened in the past as regards to some of the attitude and frustration comments made will stay exactly there i.e in the past.
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2 minutes ago, Greg said:
I would pick THJ over Proctor but then the only thing is he is a Poole asset which could be a worry .
Indeed yes. if Ford doesn't get Sundstrom if POL EXL 3 Max League rule incl you Nationality league isn't lifted. If it isn't he has already said he may have to go down the 2 stronger rider route of say a 6 plus and a 4 plus, and THJ falls into that (possibly).
Having said that if the Poles don't lift the rule then KL are in trouble as it would also exclude NKI.
Lets hope not the case as both clubs would be affected.
What it does mean though after Fords comments to the media this morning (Bournemouth Echo) is that KL cannot announce their full team anyway until the Poles decide if NKI is part of that thinking.
Problem is nobody has come forward with any news or comment as to when the Poles will decide one way or the other.
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I think this is a big season for both the Holder Bros for various reasons.
I think both have a future at Poole but plenty riding on what happens this year.
Chris I think has his GP career at stake as I doubt he will get another Wild Card if he fluffs his lines again (although having an inside track to the top Monster guy in Europe in Parsons may have a bearing, but he cant assume he will be bailed out). Also I don't think Torun will tolerate another 2017 season from him and neither will Lejonen in SWE. Notwithstanding what Matt Ford may do if he heavily underperforms.
I am a big fan of Jack for his obvious potential and initially was upset he didn't sign. BUT I was not aware at the time of some of the antics and foul language allegedly thrown both Matt and the teams way during his petulant 2017 Prem debut year. I heard he had shown attitude but not to the degree mentioned various times on the forum since.
I think maybe a good idea he has a year away. Its also a big year for him as he seemingly will not ride Champ in 2018. He has big boots to fill if he is to keep a place in Torun. he needs to improve in order to prove to the Swedes (maybe Lejonen with Chris ??) that he is worth signing for either during 2018 or for 2019. He also needs to show a good chunk of humility and prove to the likes of Matt and the Speedway World that he is continuing to improve and prove his worth to Matt that he is worth resigning for Poole in 2019. In other words he also needs to grow up a bit in his mentality towards Promoters/Managers and fellow riders.
I think Matt has opened the door via some of his comments in the media that he may be back in the future, and for sure an improved rider via experience and mentally more mature, riding with an hopefully also improved Chris in 2018 would open the door for 2019 for both of them back at Poole immediately after the 2018 season ends.
Anyway that what I would like to see long term but of course its for both of them to prove it on the track and in their attitude this season.
Poole 2018
in SGB Premiership Speedway League
Posted
May be a real shortage of 7/7.95 riders out there at present willing to come to UK. No wonder when you see what the likes of Madsen can earn - they don't need UK.
Certainly not helped by the POL max 3 league rule still not being sorted. Matt Ford must have closed out a deal with Sundstrom months ago subject to the POLES lifting the rule as he has said in public he had his side sorted in respect of who he wanted to ride for 2018 as soon as last season had finished. I can only assume that's why he didn't resign Andersen. Also maybe because getting Hans out if he is on a slow downward path mid season might not be as easy as dropping Sundstrom if he didn't perform. Only guessing here.
Also fyi some stats that may have also entered Matt Fords mind in choosing Sundstrom.
Sund was 9th best rider in SWE Elite in 2017 where Ander dropped alarmingly to 40th. And Ander rode nNice 1 where Sud rode POL EXL (ok not the greatest of results but still against better quality riders).
Sunds I don't think is committed to DK where Hans is so one would assume not so many poss fixture clashes.
Hans is 38 and maybe just wants as many meeting as poss as in twilight of his career (although still a decent rider as his GSA shows). Sund is 27 and may still have improvement in him. He MAY also be a cheaper option than Hans ??
Maybe some of the factors Matt Ford took into account, but again I am just guessing what may have been the reasons.