TTT

Credit to King's Lynn for not running off to the CHAMP whilst making up every excuse under the sun to avoid the big boys like Poole have done for a good few years now. Not Buster's biggest fan as everyone knows but I can respect the fact that he's not afraid to mix it with the big boys despite him operating on a tight budget.

Must admit, I'm amazed at how Nilsson is a 4.50. Richard Coleman is a true professional to a point where he's found something wrong with the rules set by amateurs on assessed averages. 6.00 would've been a fair assessment imo as it's likely that Kim's final average would be anywhere between 5.75 and 6.50 which would be on point with the vast majority of engine room riders.

The last averages I have for Nilsson and Riss in the Top flight are Nilsson 7.13 and Riss 6.69 = 13.82 Rumoured to sign both of them for a combined 9.55. That's some serious saver on the pair, Just got to hope Riss stays fit but at the end of the day I'd rather take a chance on Erik then a Youngster from Europe with no UK experience as I've seen too many of them flop drastically like Gusts and Hellstrom-Bangs to name some recent examples.

Agree I always back the Brits (Except Lambert) because I just can't take to him at all.

King confirmed on the socials now. Deserved his place in the 1-7 imo, High GSA for sure but last year Danny stepped up when the Club needed riders to step up and embrace the pressure of the tough challenge ahead.

Riss is much better than his average and he proved that at Oxford when beating some top riders on a consistent basis. Scored 20 odd one night against Ipswich if I remember correctly and that was with Doyle and Emil in the side which goes to show Erik's ability. Just got to hope he stays fit, Nilsson would have a familiar face in the pits to help him settle in so it's looking good on the Team spirit front as well which is something that was lacking last year.

Remains to be seen but one thing for sure is that Picko won't be fazed by going out in Heat 1 with the opportunity to lead by example. His mindset and the self belief Picko has is top draw to a point where he wants to be a No.1 because he's not satisfied being a No.5 who spends his career playing second fiddle to a GP rider. He'll throw the kitchen sink at every race and if he doesn't do well @ No.1 then it won't be the pressure that gets to him.

Kemp isn't great but he's a more reliable option then others on the table. I personally look at it this way.... ERIK RISS Postive Good rider if he's fit (Big If) and he's been part of the Landshut setup with Nilsson so it's a good combination for Team spirit. Negative The illness keeps coming back so if it's him then you're playing poker because if the illness returns after others have improved GSA's then it could be a case of scrambling around for a rider on a 3 something to replace him. 4.50 YOUNGSTER Positive If they click, Then they really click to a point where you end up with a gem who makes a mockery of an assessed average. Negative They're BOOM or BUST merchants as we saw this year with Hellstrom-Bangs and if another one falls into the BUST category then it's a scramble for a replacement because with the RS not likely to score many points (If any) then it's too risky to keep the faith by running a Team with two riders not scoring points. DREW KEMP Positive Can ride Ipswich and Leicester very well and has a good few years worth of PREM experience. Negative Can be frustrating and his head does go at times.

Kemp for me all day long @ No.2 with Nilsson @ No.4. Leicester and Ipswich's Rumoured 1-7's look head and shoulders above everyone else on paper. Kemp and Nilsson are both former Lions riders, So logic points towards those two being the best pair to compete with Leicester. I don't think we'll have to worry about the usual when it comes to form around Belle Vue and Sheffield The Tigers Spearhead is rumoured to feature 3 Riders who don't like Foxhall at all to a point where two of them are mentally beaten before Heat 1. Belle Vue are rumoured to show loyalty by running Z. Cook and Blodorn as Heat Leaders with weak reserves and that's nothing to fear imo.

Is Rushen off is the question? If King's Lynn go with Jody Scott as a No.6 it would leave King's Lynn with 6.78 to play with. Can look at riders like Ellis, Flint, Lawson and Wright then instead of taking a punt on a 5.00 foreign rider who might flop on British tracks.

You're right then as it's more up to date. King's Lynn need to pull a rabbit out of the hat on a 5.00 assuming Rushen hasn't gone elsewhere.

I've been using the 2026 Rider Statistics page all winter and it says up to and icluding 16th September.

5.00 Newcomer, Kemp and Jeppesen as options then. Not looking good and the reserves will have to carry the side imo.

Can't fault Mayfield at all this winter, They've done fantastically well on all fronts whether it's Team, Track or GP related. If 2027 doesn't map out as planned then it isn't through a lack of effort because Mayfield have delivered on the hype.

Leaves 5.04 after British Reductions which is a 5.00 Newcomer, Drew Kemp or Jonas Jeppesen type of gap. 1. J. Pickering 8.16 2. 3. C. Harris 6.38 4. A. Rowe 5.92 5. J. Kvech 6.76 6. C. Rushen 4.74 7. J. Scott (RS)