Bojangles

I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but it's left a nice 8.9 (Leon Madsen, et al) shaped hole. And the fact that it'll be the last signing announced also has to be a good sign. 1. Leon Madsen 2. Erik Riss 3. Maciej Janowski 4. Charles Wright 5. Rohan Tungate 6. Peter Kildemand 7. Luke Killeen Not a bad team that!

I presume he'll start at reserve on that average as well.

They will surely leave the biggest signing to last, no? Will be such an anti-climax otherwise. Kildemand on a 5, and Madsen on an 8. Job done.

Jody Scott and Jacob Clouting also back with the Chargers in 2025.

I've heard Madsen's name a couple of times this week as well.... nothing on Kubera, though. I'd happily take either.

Of course it's relevant as you stated it was a prime example of a rider who would have benefited from more rides. Jacob Fellows had numerous rides around Oxford, in practice (doing lap after lap following meetings) and racing, and he never progressed - there was no improvement, as the scores show. Why do you think an extra ride or two would have made the difference? I get the essence of your original point, though, but perhaps using Fellows wasn't a good example.

It's not about win at all costs, it's about developing the right riders who have a future in the sport. If Fellows was taken out for a 36-year-old journeyman, then I agree with you. If he's taken out and replaced by a more promising rider who would benefit more, then I'm all for it.

You seem to have omitted Jacob Fellows' scores in those meetings... H vs Leicester: 1+1 (scored a point as Max James was excluded) H vs Belle Vue: 0 - A vs Belle Vue: 0 A vs Mildenhall: 1 (scored point as Sam Woods was excluded) Would he have benefited more from an extra ride half a lap behind the opposition, or did Luke Killeen (etc.) benefit more from those extra rides? Yes, it's a development league, but riders should still be competitive at that level if they want the rides surely? Jacob Fellows could have been in 7 heats in those meetings and he would have scored the same (bar exclusions) as he was so far off the pace. Instead the likes of Luke Killeen got them, and look where he is now.

He'll be straight back in the Oxford team the second he's fit enough. Whoever is signed at 5 as a replacement (Riss?) will be well aware of that, and on a relevant contract I'm sure.

Oxford is a Wednesday track.

Nicholls having an operation on his shoulder tomorrow. Oxford confirmed he will miss the start of the season.

If Gilkes has been tapped up by Oxford, it surely means either Jenkins or Heeps won't be in the team next year. Can't see Jenkins having much trouble getting a spot elsewhere, but who would want Heeps? Big difference between his home and away average this season.

No space in the Spires team... 1. TBC 2. Riss 3. Janowski 4. Wright 5. Tungate 6. Schlein 7. Killeen

You dislike them because of the fans behaviour, NOT just because of the success.

Yeah, I edited my previous post to try and clarify that a bit. Don't think it's totally the same - some serial winners are loved (the likes of Roger Federer/Usain Bolt come to mind), while others are disliked (Floyd Mayweather, etc.) because of the way they act.

The main part of the dislike for Poole is the way their fans behave, surely?

They're wrong. Those averages don't include any cup of playoff fixtures. Hardly 2024 averages! Typical British Speedway.

Where did you get 6.19 from? It's 6.43 Meetings: 31 Rides: 150 Points: 216 Bonus: 25 Total: 241 Average: 6.43

Yeah, I doubt he was cheap! Maybe Ashton felt a bit disgruntled that Luke Killeen rose above him in the pecking order.... or he just wanted to race at Glasgow each week as he likes it there. Either way, I'd rather have him than not have him.

He's deleted his FB post saying he's signed for Oxford Cheetahs in 2025.

I'd say Oxford get bigger crowds than both.

Yeah, I'm sure he would laugh and laugh if he read that. There's one plonker, and it's not me. You're a grown man - almost a pensioner apparently - grow up!

Not picking on him? You posted a picture of a tricycle and said he need to practice on that!

Absolute nonsense. This is a prime example of somebody having read a few comments on a forum and has judged Boughen because of it. Have you ever seen him actually race live? I've said multiple times on this forum, it's not a traffic thing. He lifts off on the first lap on occasion (most noticeable at the start/first bend), but then gets going for the rest of the race and is quick. No idea why he does it, but he does. It's not really held back his progression (other than towards the end of this season), so let's see what he does next year before writing him off. Perfect example that 1) he lifts off on the first lap, but 2) he's not afraid to mix it in traffic right here...

If Oxford were to pull out of the Championship KO Cup like they did in the Premiership, and the BSN Series were ditched (can't see a place for this in a 2H2A league), then a 2H2A season would add a grand total of 0 Cheetahs fixtures to the calendar (16 new league fixtures - 8 less KO Cup fixtures and 8 less BSN Series fixtures). Of course that scenario is based on KO Cup and BSN Series finals appearances, but you get the idea. Certainly sounds doable. Should stress this isn't on Oxford, though. Oxford aren't holding the SCB to ransom like some have claimed, it simply must have already been decided that 1H1A will be happening in 2025 for them to have declared they are running in three leagues. Unless something like the above scenario has been agreed upon.