Noelinho

If replaced, no.

I believe they can come in at any point, like a reserve switch. No protected heats in this league. The only difference is 6 and 7 must have 3 rides, 8 can have 0. There's probably nothing to stop them coming in heat 15 if you send someone through the tapes and replace them rather than go off 15 metres...

I think in a normal meeting, you would be correct. But as there was a number 8 present, he could have taken the rides meaning Ace only needed the three rides to satisfy the regulations.

He'll be there.

It's 27C where I am. I'm coming in an Eskimo outfit on Sunday.

My understanding was protected heats are a Premiership/Rising Star thing, and not applicable in the Championship.

Rain is forecast, but not loads by Glasgow standards. The banking helps with drainage too. Of course the ground gets much colder at this time of year, which doesn't make it a lot harder. We'll see.

Great, that’s what I thought. You are ever-reliable with the nuance of the rules.

Really? Can’t they (theoretically) give 3 to Lee and 1 to Tom?

I don't know about the general track prep, but as far as I know, the starting gates were prepared according to the riders' wishes. Although it seemed to be news to Vadim, from how his bike responded.

Only two quality riders, but got all the bonus points in the league.

He's fast, but he needs to learn racing and positioning around others. When you're the big fish in the small pond like he was until now, you don't need those skills. If he's the real deal, they will come.

They got to pick Edinburgh instead of Redcar and Oxford. I'd call that a benefit.

And another one...

I've heard it will be Sunday. Which is great for me!

If Oxford had won, wouldn't people be saying the opposite? I think it's more a case of two teams with little between them.

Wow. We made hard work of it. Cami tried his best to lose it. Our riders asked for silly track prep. And Lee Complin was the hero. The group of death was certainly entertaining. It's a shame we can't just face them again in the final really.

No disagreement from me. But that's what a lot of refs do. Anyway, all square now, but Oxford have the good gates in 14 and 15.

I'd tend to agree, but it's the standard call from most refs these days. As shown very well by Jason Doyle, regularly.

Well, he might get the ride in the re-run.

I don't fully remember, but it was heat 14 and it was on BSN. The ref got confused about how many rides he'd done, and there was something about a ride that hadn't been counted. I was thinking it was because Nathan went through the tapes, but maybe it was something else.

Now I need to find out what the deal was with Ablitt.

Those who think it strengthens us are wrong. I think he might be struggling for sponsorship, which might be a barrier to coming back. But he's got a great GSA compared to his 2023 average. One of the best in the league.

You know he will, and you know you won't.

Yes, looks like it.