Noelinho

Weather is coming from the west. Very light drizzle so far, forecast is for no more than that. Can never be sure though.

I don’t agree with this. We have a points limit and a limit on 8 point riders. That’s already a decent amount of equalisation of teams, and Poole aside, I think most people would greet it’s been very effective at balancing the teams this year. One thing people also have to remember if younger riders are often more dependent on others for travel because they often aren’t old enough to drive legally. In that situation, it’s much harder for a rider based in say the south of England to commit to a club in Scotland. No one’s fault, just practicality. What I would say is the rising star programme really belongs in the Championship rather than the Premiership and it’s a shame we don’t have that. Or maybe there could be a progression and have it in both leagues. I would also be minded towards only allowing British riders at reserve. Mario might not be a fan of that…

Just a little bit?

Not quite. William and Cooper at reserve on Friday. When new averages take effect, it will be William and Kyle for June.

Between them they're not a long way off. Cooper's average will be 6.17 when effective, and Cairns is averaging 6.59 this season, albeit the official average will lag behind given he came in half way through last season. How many young riders have come in to the Championship and done that in recent times?

We hit 30, better than expected 👍🏻

They wanted to watch Eurovision?

Bomber passed on lap three and was about 10 yards clear of Mario at the finish.

Loved watching Craig round Ashfield tonight. He’s still a brilliant rider.

Only five weeks until the next home fixture after tonight!

Crowds have felt normal to me this year. I've not noticed them being particularly up or down on last year.

Last week, I heard we want to organise the Scottish Cup after all. Possibly because we don’t have many fixtures left… I don’t think we’ll be struggling to fit our fixtures in this year.

I think the other rider involved was Leon Szlegiel. He was also airlifted to hospital.

I don't think it's lack of interest. it's nerves from having far too much pressure heaped on him.

Hausl is young. He should improve. Lambert's scores are heavily padded by beating very junior reserves in heat 2. You don't get to do that riding at 2. His Scunthorpe performances have not matched his guest appearance at Ashfield.

It wouldn't be an upgrade. It would be a facepalm.

After one loss? Doubtful. It was still an entertaining meeting. Plymouth next. We've already beaten them at home once this season.

By my reckoning, Hodder outscored Max 41-34 head to head last year. He was also much stronger at home, where Max struggled (he had a higher away average). They definitely kept the right rider IMO. It seems other teams agreed, given Max didn't pick up a spot until Workington replaced their #7. His championship average has progressed, but his national league average hasn't. To me, that says Max has hit his level. Freddy's average progression has been slow, but it is still going up. That said, when I watch him ride, I'm not convinced there's a lot of progression left. He often chooses the wrong lines and looks tentative.

Time to create the West Coast Cup?

None of our team were up to scratch today, totally deserved to finish bottom of the group. Hodder is tentative, Sam isn't gating, Mario doesn't seem to have a good setup most of the meeting. I don't know which of those problems you fix first. Big loss at home even though the ref was quite happy for Leon to take out an away rider in heat 5. Without that, Edinburgh would've hit 50.

I’d be very surprised, given a rider like that would come in on an 8.50 average and never be available even if we did.

On recent form, the only thing he’s in danger of banging in is the air fence. I also hoped to see more from Loftus this season. I would have been delighted if he’d signed for Glasgow (though not a fan of poaching), but so far he’s not lived up to what I hoped. Both teams need more from their reserves. The weather is looking very grey, but hopefully any wet stuff falls somewhere manky like Maryhill.

It’s £1 more than the Monarchs charge, and the same price Berwick and Poole charge. Yes, last week was a trial, and that’s why it was cheaper. This is the normal price.

Glasgow are streaming it for £13.99: https://tv.glasgowtigers.co.uk/

I agree in principle, but I also know if we do that and guests become 2-point NDL riders, crowds will get worse very quickly. Guests of a similar calibre do at least mean we usually get good racing even if the system frustrates. Chuck in two-point riders and no-one will be satisfied. I guess if only one rider is missing, R/R isn't terrible, but I can think of quite a few fixtures where it's been multiple riders. Ultimately, might not be an issue past this year anyway, because how many riders of that level be left racing here?