Col

Russia deserved to win, best team over the 4 days of racing. Enjoy SON overall, would welcome its annual existance alongside the SWC. It does need tweaking. With GB a point up on Russia, Russia should have required a 4-2 to win. Regardless of how many ponits behind, a 5-1 wins a team the semi or final.

I didn't know Woffinden was Crocodilian. That explains his prowess on a bike

And the Danes won it every year from 1983 to 1988. The Danes also dominate the pairs from 1985-1990. Different times though, if this was televised which seems unlikely as there were only 4 UK TV stations at the time (no idea about the rest of Europe) those who were televising it either had very little competition for advertising at the same time, or no such pressure if it wasn't televised.

Looking forward to the final, I expect it to be a straight shoot out between Poland & Russia with Sweden the most likely to take the other spot on the rostrum. With the possible exception of the Germans all teams have the potential to be spoilers but I don't see making the rostrum. I was in Bydgoszcz when Iversen overtook Kolodziej on the final bend to steal the title away from the home nation but since then (& the following year) several high quality Polish riders have established themselves and I doubt any nation would get close to competing with them in a 4 man team scenario. But fair play to Sweden last year, they kept the final interesting.

Picking straws & I don't think Lindback really needed much help but Lindgren looked for him at least twice every bend when they were on a 5-1.

Could there anywhere less accessible in the country that has a Speedway track?

Now there is sadly no Brandon where do you suggest it be held that is closer to the middle of the country, neither Perry Barr nor Monmore are suitable.

The only question for me was which other team from Teterow would qualify along with Russia & Denmark, had the Latvians been at full strength & Ļebedevs riding like he did last year then I don't think it would have been as clear cut as it was.

But if they replaced Cook last night as he was injured he couldn't be used at the weekend I assume? Not that the usual candidates Harris or King are performing particularly well this year, with S Worrall injured & probably a year too early for Bewley I guess options are very limited.

Was at the NSS last night and having to drive on A roads all the way to Stoke as the nearest M60 junction (southbound at least) to the NSS was shut didn't have time to post last night or watch the TV version of events, also only read the latest page of comments. The best races of the night both all involved Australia, the heats against Sweden, Finland & France were the best action. Was surprised Cook only got one heat, didn't understand why he didn't get a ride (probably with Lambert) against the lesser teams. Injured? Lindgren was super fast all night, looks like he might challenge for the world title this year, when I thought his time had passed. Unlike Doyle who doesn't seem to be riding with the confidence he had the two previous years. Milik showed he can mix it with the best.

Topic retitled as requested.

Haven't been on the forum over the weekend, I was very disappointed with event 1. The racing was pretty abysmal on a very dusty track and the knock out heats at the event were a total farce, with Manzares injured & no reserve to replace him, then the Danes celebrating a 3-3 via former GP riders keeping a virtual unknown in 4th was pretty poor from them. Hopefully event 2 will be better, however it's pretty obvious which 3 teams will progress. At least the format lends itself to making all heats interesting towards the end. The final looks like a straight shoot out between the Poles & the Russians, with Denmark & Germany battling it out for 6th.

Isn't the Pardubice track more reliable to decent racing?

Dudek & Woffinden are both Monster Sponsored, they'll surely be in the GP's next year.

At which away tracks do you think Belle Vue will pick up the points they lost at home to Kings Lynn? Which team do you think will go to Kings Lynn & win?

I'm sure Margate beach is just as nice & much closer

Whole lotta fiddling been going on.

Busk-Jacobsen when he gates looks assured, when he doesn't gate he's dreadful.

I was very wrong. This is closer than the meeting at Blunsdon, KK could be bothered (eventually) & Cook is missing for the Aces at Leicester. Harris is quite frankly embarrassing.

So Starke has replaced Neilsen?

How come no Neilsen & the two Poles are at reserve?

Of the 4 meetings this evening only one has the away #1 missing, so why televise it? Kasprzak can't be bothered so it might remain vaguely close. Doyle's return to Blunsdon is surely where the TV cameras should be?

Not read all of what has been posted. Thought Lindgren's move in the final was tough but there was no need for Woffinden to retire. Thought both semi final referee decisions were correct. Pedersen realised he was beat, laid the bike down in hope rather than expectation. Janowski tried to turn back inside Sayfutdinov, but there wasn't room so he hit the Russian's back wheel.

Surely putting Proctor at 5 & Klindt at 3 would make Workington much stronger?

Has anyone answered this? I'm not local but there is a train station fairly close. Belle Vue is the name of the train station. I assume there is a train station at Manchester airport since it's the biggest in England outside London, but it is a fair way south of the city. Google says it's 50-60 minutes by train going via the city centre train station. Again I've never used the city centre train station and these can be confusing.