PolskiZuzel

What pressure, Mr Rising ? You like keeping us in suspense, don't you? I repeat again, what pressure he was put under by Torun? If there was any pressure, then - in my opinion - that pressure arose from the fact that he had a choice. To ride for Torun, or to ride for BSI/IMG. Personally speaking - he made the right decision. Perhaps the BSI/IMG will finally wake up and rejuvenate the whole system and pay decent wages to riders.

Go on, tell us more. What's going to happen on Monday?

Perhaps :-) But when you allow yourself to look at it objectively then you must realize that speedway is an INDIVIDUAL sport. It is like running, jumping, throwing, boxing, etc. One individual against another, sometimes more than another. Teams have been created later. Not only in speedway, but also athletics...and even boxing.

But there is a doubt, Mr. Rising, there is !!. Just look at Darcy Ward. He is young, he is aspiring...but he doesn't want to ride in SGP. And there are many more like him. In the present format SGP is a 'dead duck'. The future lies with European Speedway League, and the World Cup like the Daily Mirror Championship back in the 70's. As far as individual World Championship is concerned let's go back to proven formula on one day World Final.

Per Jonsson, The 1990 individual speedway world champion whose riding career was abruptly interrupted in Poland by a spine injury has always been fondly remembered in this speedway mad country, and in Torun, the club he rode for, he is simply adored until this day. He was given an honoray citezenpship of this town and they even named a street after him, the street leading directly to the most modern speedway stadium in the world. When Polish Motor Union (PZM) came up with an idea of staging a challenge match featuring three time team world champions in a row Poland vs Rest of the World, Per Jonsson was the natural choice as "the world" team manager. Jonsson is extremely pleased with the Poles choice and is looking forward to coming to Torun once again. I am incredibly excited every time I come to Torun. Whenever I'm here I am being met with fans' phenomenal kindness - it is something indescribable. It's very edifying to know that so many people remember me, even though I don't ride enymore. I know that there are now new idols, new heroes, and yet the whole time everyone welcome me here even so warm.. I look forward to the next meeting with these wonderful fans! - admits Jonsson. Former World Champion, this time is coming to Torun in an entirely new role. - I have received a proposal to manage the Rest of the World speedway team in this event and I made the decision without hesitation. This is a huge honour for me, but also a challenge and a robust test. I must admit that I feel a slight stress before this match. After all, I shall lead world's top riders gathered in one team against the World team champions, who will have the support of thousands of Polish fans. It won't be an easy task, but I am very pleased to be able to take part in this spectacle - he says. He is happy with the selection of the team that he is to lead. - I have at my disposal riders that every team manager must be dreaming of. It took me some time to determine the riding order as to optimally exploit the true potential of this "dream team". This will be an exciting duel. - says Per Jonsson. Here's is the final line-up of his team: 1st Greg Hancock 2nd Nicki Pedersen 3rd Andreas Jonsson 4th Antonio Lindbaeck 5th Chris Holder 6th Martin Vaculik 7th Darcy Ward The newly crowned World Champion - Greg Hancock will ride in pair with Nicki Pedersen, who with his spectacular rides always provides plenty of excitement for every fan.- I am counting on the experience of these riders. Greg just had a fantastic season and for the second time in his career won the world title, and Nicki did this three times in his career. The last performance of the Dane in Torun tells me that, together with Greg he will make a strong pair. I'm very curious how the two will work together - Rest of the World manager explains. The two compatriots of Per Jonsson, world no. 2, Andreas Jonsson and Antonio Lindbaeck , who takes place of injured Australian Ryan Sullivan will make the second pair.. - I am sure they will do their best at Torun's track. I have no doubt that the choice of Antonio, who did a great Grand Prix in Torun was a good move - says the Swede. Rest of the World team manager counts on a spectacular and effective ride from his third pairing of Chris Holder and Darcy Ward. - When it came to Chris and Darcy the decision was easy The two young Australians understand each other perfectly on and off the track. They have proved that, not once, not twice, starting in the Elite League for Poole Pirates. Their opponents will have many problems with this pair. Both are also very familiar with Torun's Moto Arena; Chris races on the Torun's track in the Polish ExtraLiga, while Darcy also on the Torun's books, took third place at the recent Polish Grand Prix in Torun and had fantastic season on loan to Gdansk. Topping the 1st Division's averages, ahead of Emil Sayfutdinov. I am convinced that they won't disappoint me, and this go also for Slovakian U-21 Martin Vaculik who in the Polish League is very effective. ... sportowefakty.pl

(copied from yahoo speedway group) This year, the Polish national speedway team won the World Cup for the third time in a row . For several years the Polish riders have been among the best in the world. Given the unique atmosphere at the events with Polish representatives, the Polish Automobile Association in partnership with Sports Marketing One decided to organize on 16 October 2011 a speedway match featuring Poland vs Rest of the World. The Poland - Rest of the World match will be an excellent opportunity to test the strength of Polish riders and prove that it was not by chance that there is no better speedway team in the world. It won't be easy. Before the Polish team lays a difficult challenge - this time the Poles will have to face the star-studded team of world Speedway. Place and the date of this match was not chosen by chance. Torun's Moto-Arena is the most modern speedway stadium in the world. Torun is an ideal venue for organization of competitions at the highest level. There is a perfect viewing of the track from any the spot in the stands. The Marian Rose stadium was designed in such a way that the riders have opportunity to pass each other and as often as they can throughout the entire length of a track. Moreover, recently built roof over Moto-Arena ensures that the organizers do not have to worry about interruption of the meeting because of rain. The match at Torun against the rest of the world is to sum up very exciting and successful season for the Polish speedway. In Torun there will be opportunity to applaud the New Individual World Champion as well as the New U-21 Individual World Champion. The Match will be held according to rules prevailing in the Polish Speedway Ekstra-Liga, some say - the best in the world. Teams will consist of five seniors and two juniors, who will compete in fifteen races. What is new is the fact that in case of eight or more points ahead of one of the teams, it will be possible to use "The Joker", by a team manager. His points will count double, so the whole show should be even more attractive. The line-ups Rest of the world 01 GREG HANCOCK - USA 02 ANDREAS JONSSON - SWEDEN 03 CHRIS HOLDER - AUSTRALIA 04 NICKI PEDERSEN - DENMARK 05 ANTONIO LINDBAECK - SWEDEN (replacing Ryan Sullivan /injured/) 06 DARCY WARD - AUSTRALIA 07 MARTIN VACULIK - SLOVAKIA Poland 09 TOMASZ GOLLOB 10 ADRIAN MIEDZINSKI 11 PIOTR PROTASIEWICZ 12 JANUSZ KOLODZIEJ 13 JAROSLAW HAMPEL 14 MACIEJ JANOWSKI 15 PRZEMYSLAW PAWLICKI

I doubt it. Polish ExtraLiga starts (most probably) next day, Sunday April 1st. Do do see a way of shifting 10 GP stars back to Poland in 24h? regards PolskiZuzel

Thanks for posting. Being traditionalist myself, your spreadsheet is just what I need! Thanks.

Bagpuss, so what that the Poles have three GP and a quarter of the field are Polish. You, i.e. Britain can have as many as you wish (or can afford) so why don't you have more than one Cardiff? Who is stopping you ? Answer me this, please. As for a quarter of the field being Polish, again, who is stopping you having more riders than one Harris? Who, or what is stopping you having riders who are winning SWC three times in a row. Answer me, and yourself this, please

Read all about her here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urszula_Dudziak

No, she isn't. Urszula Dudziak is well known Polish jazz singer and a fan of speedway for the last 50 years.

You are quite right. AJ action (he extended his left arm showing Dudek which line to take) started a catalaogue of errors. As far as I know, Pavlic has no broken bones

Pavlic's terrible crash New silencers to blame?

The same what the witch does for Ipswich, or eagle for Eastbourne, etc

Gdansk won 49-41 This is just too much. Bydgoszcz with the Xliga line-up has lost its 2nd match. Clearly, Emil and co. is not what it seems.

First get your facts rights...and then comment about the Poles. There is NO POLISH EKSTRALIGA TOMORROW

Nice one, Mateusz !

Marek Cieslak on falubaz.com says that SVEMO permission has been granted and the GKSZ is to announce it tomorrow. Mind you tomorrow is a fool's day, isn't ?

The 2011 EkstraLiga is made up of eight team, each consisting 7 riders, out of which at least three must have PZM (Polish) licence and no other. The top six riders must have accumulated CMA of max. 44 points and no less than 34 pts. Two GP riders are perimitted for each team Nos 6-7 are reserved for two U-21 riders which also have to have PZM (Polish) licence and no other. LESZNO The only, but the most painful loss for the Polish champions, is retirement of a great Australian, Leigh Adams who after spending 15 seasons in Leszno, each of which ended with an excellent average, decided to retire. His lowest CMA of 8.64 - in those 15 years - gave him last season fifth place among the most effective riders in the Polish Extra League. Adam Skornicki who re-joined Leszno is not likely to score as many points as Adams did. The 2011 Leszno's squad: Janusz Kolodziej - 10.22, Jaroslaw Hampel - 9.66, Damian Balinski - 8.58, Troy Batchelor - 6.48, Adam Skornicki - 6.05, Jurica Pavlic - 5.28, Slawomir Musielak - 2.50, Tobias Musielak. In: Adam Skornicki (Poznan). Out: Leigh Adams (retired), Adam Shields (Wroclaw)). ZIELONA GORA Polish League's 2010 champion runners up have been hailed as the kings of the hunt for new faces. In addition to the great Andreas Jonsson they also engaged the National Team coach, Marek Cieslak, as the coach of their team. Another new face in their team is Jonas Davidsson although he may not even be selected for the first team. It will depend on the form of other riders within the squad. Zielona Gora fans had to say, with regret, farewell to long serving Fredrik Lindgren, Niels Iversen, and successful coach Piotr Zyto. The 2011 Zielona Gora's squad: Greg Hancock - 8.63, Andreas Jonsson - 8.30, Piotr Protasiewicz - 7.54, Rafal Dobrucki - 7.01, Jonas Davidsson - 6.80, Grzegorz Zengota - 5.60 , Patryk Dudek - 4.36, Kacper Rogowski , Adam Strzelec. In: Andreas Jonsson (Bydgoszcz), Jonas Davidsson (Czestochowa). Out: Niels K Iversen TORUN Riding speedway ceased to make me happy - said last autumn the legendary Torun's rider, Wieslaw Jagus. The 2010 season was the worst in his career. The Dane, Hans Andersen, also failed last season to impress at Torun, so this year he will look for a better form in Gorzow, alongside his countryman Nicki Pedersen and world champion, Tomasz Gollob. In this situation, the third team in the Polish 2010 season had to reach for reinforcement. Torun's hunt concentrated on Rune Holta, who sometimes can be less predictable than other top stars, but his last season was very good. The 2011 Torun's squad: Rune Holta - 8.64, Ryan Sullivan - 8.43, Adrian Miedzinski - 7.29, Chris Holder - 7.04, Michael Jepsen Jensen - 6.67, Matej Kus - 4.10, Kamil Pulczynski, Emil Pulczynski. In: Rune Holta (Czestochowa), Matej Kus (Gdansk). Out: Wieslaw Jagus (retirement), Hans Andersen (Gorzow), Darcy Ward (Gdansk). WROCLAW There is a tough new season ahead for the fourth team in Polish EkstraLiga 2010. Jason Crump, and coach Mark Cieslak have left for the new pastures. Wroclaw however managed to keep Dane Kenneth Bjerre and an exiciting U-21 great talent, Maciej Janowski. They should be the team leaders for the new season. The other riders are destined to be known as the also run . Adam Shields and Tomasz Jedrzejak, even together, will not be able to replace Jason Crump's scoring power. The 2011 Wroclaw squad Kenneth Bjerre - 7.73, Adam Shields - 6.50, Piotr Swiderski - 6.37, Tomasz Jedrzejak - 4.00, Dennis Andersson - 3.65 (Lasse Bjerre), Maciej Janowski - 5.94, Patryk Kociemba Patryk Malitowski. In: Adam Shields (Leszno), Tomasz Jedrzejak (Tarnow). Out: Jason Crump (Rzeszow), Leon Madsen (Tarnow). TARNOW Last season, Tarnow were sentenced for defeat, and yet they surprised many observers by retaining their EksraLiga status. Tarnow , a team without big stars is to remain as such, although they will certainly be stronger. Extra power to the "Sparrows" will give Swede Fredrik Lindgren and Dane Leon Madsen. Tarnow have built for the new season a team of riders with similar - and what is important - enough skills to retain their place in the EkstraLiga. If they had more power in u-21 riders, they would have a chance to beat the best. The 2011 Tarnow squad: Krzysztof Kasprzak - 7.38, Sebastian Ulamek - 7.12, Bjarne Pedersen - 6.64, Martin Vaculik - 6.67, Fredrik Lindgren - 6.54, Leon Madsen - 6.86, Tadeusz Kostro - 2.68, James Jamrog. In: Fredrik Lindgren (Zielona Gora), Leon Madsen (Wroclaw). Out: Tomasz Jedrzejak (Wroclaw) . GORZOW Gorzow, in the last couple of seasons 'forever' the sixth ExtraLiga team, in the 2011 season went (half way) Danish. Nicki Pedersen has been joined by Hans Andersen and Niels Iversen, so half of the team. Both riders after less successful season in Torun and Zielona Gora respectably, decided for a change that often helps in achieving better form. At least that is what Gorzow promotion and also the fans believe in. Club's chairman no longer says silly things so perhaps this is the way to do it. Talk less, and do more. If not this year, then perhaps never. The 2011 Gorzow squad: Tomasz Gollob - 10.93, Nicki Pedersen - 9.95, Hans Andersen - 6.76, Niels Iversen - 6.50, Matej Zagar - 6.27, Artur Mroczka - 4.28, Pawel Zmarzlik - 2.50, Bartosz Zmarzlik Lukasz Cyran. In: Hans Andersen (Torun), Niels Iversen (Zielona Gora), Artur Mroczka(Grudziadz). Out: David Ruud (Grudziadz), Tomasz Gapinski (Bydgoszcz), Zbigniew Suchecki (Lublin). CZESTOCHOWA Although they never appeared in the Polish EkstraLiga, Czestochowa chairman believes that his two new signings, Under-21 years of age Artyom, and his six years older brother Gregor Laguta, are capable of leading the Czestochowa club in the new season. The Laguta brothers are to lead Czestochowa towards something more than the relegation play-offs. But it looks as though Czestochowa together with Wroclaw are destined to be the Red Lantern of the 2011 Polish EkstraLiga The 2011 Czestochowa squad. Grigory Laguta - 7.57, Artyom Laguta - 6.63, Daniel Nermark - 6.91, Patrick Hougaard - 6.50, Rafal Szombierski - 6.12 Peter Karlsson - 5.96, , Marcel Kaiser - 2.66, Martin Bubel. In: Daniel Nermark (Rybnik), Grigory Laguta (Daugavpils), Artyom Laguta (Daugavpils), Patrick Hougaard (Tarnow), Marcel Kaiser (Ostrow). Out: Rune Holta (Torun), Jonas Davidsson (Zielona Gora), Lewis Bridger (Gniezno), Boris Miturski (Krosno). RZESZOW Mrs. Marta Poltorak, the Rzeszow chairperson has left most of her team which last season won promotion to the ExtraLeague. She is experienced enough to know that in the highest league a team needs a real leader, so she signed a big star. This bright new star at Rzeszow is Jason Crump. The other riders in her team seems to have their best years behind them. It does not change the fact that Rzeszow, should not to worry about staying in the EkstraLiga for the next season. But thinking about the top three places will probably have to be put aside for another time. The 2011 RZESZOW squad Jason Crump - 8.28, Lee Richardson - 7.48, Rafal Okoniewski - 6.85, Chris Harris - 6.52, Maciej Kuciapa - 6.24, Ryan Fisher - 6.50, Dawid Lampart - 5.01, Lukasz Kret. In: Jason Crump (Wroclaw). Out: Mikael Max (Gdansk). Best wishes to every team

It was good to see you (and Mama) again. Yes, I did enjoy the meeting, although it was too cold for my liking

It seems that they will never be satisfied. Now they want to reduce noise by some degree. Then they will say : is not enough, so in the end will we run 'speedway' on electric bikes ? It looks as though over the years speedway in the UK has been marginalized, pushed aside as a noisy, dirty, minority sport, frequented by a handful of working class maniacs. And now, they want to do the same in Poland. Why is it that FIM who has no complaints from the noise generated at the Monaco Moto GP, or enduro trials, suddenly wants to reduce noise generated by speedway. Who generates more noise, four speedway bikes going round the track for a total of 15 minutes?, or Formula One monster cars going through the streets of Monaco. Why don't they fight to reduce the noise coming from the Tottenham or West Ham football ground. Don't football fans generate enough noise to upset neighbours ?

From what I know, British speedway/greyhound racing tracks are usually located far from town's centres. Whilst in Poland they are right in and yet people don't complain. If you ever been at the Bydgoszcz staged GP round you must have noticed tennant tower blocks around the Polonia Stadium. People living in those flat there flock on their balconies and windows during every speedway meeting. They have the best view and they enjoy it. It seems to me the British people got fed up with speedway and have other things to do. Like complaining, complaining and complaining!

That is a matter of opinion :-) According to Czech media http://isport.blesk.cz/clanek/skandaly/97136/lenka-kopalova-nechutna-hra-s-vlastni-smrti.html Lenka is a bit crazy... but alive and well ! We are told on the Facebook that Lenka took an overdose and is dead. Such a death would be investigated by the police, and the Czech Police know nothing about it. "On Sunday she took her bag and went to Prague. She does not study anymore, broke up with her boyfriend and probably should have seen a psychologist, "said her father Paul Kopal. Lenka's parents are divorced and she has been living with her grandparents. She is just a bit crazy and plays around said her grandfather who saw her over the weekend. "She wanted to be an interesting, unique, and maybe she has just found out that she is just an average girl like anyone else. I would not say that such behavior calls for a treatment, but she needs someone to talk to - said psychologist Šárka Bezvodová.

The Polonia Bydgoszcz Stadium grandstands during the Grand Prix tournaments are filled to the brim with not only the Polish fans. A large part of the audience are foreign supporters, who highly appreciate the visit to the city on the Brda river. This Saturday the Polonia Bydgoszcz grandstands will include a large group of fans from Edinburgh, Foreign spectators to the Bydgoszcz GP descend on Friday to have a good time, feel the atmosphere of a real speedway festivity. Traditionally, one of the larger group will arrive from Edinburgh, which each year comes with a growing number of Scottish fans. Organizer of the trip is Tomasz Gollob's faithful supporter, Steve Gilroy, who especially for the SportoweFakty.pl website shared his memories of visits to Bydgoszcz Grand Prix tournaments. "This year it will be my sixth visit to the Bydgoszcz Speedway Grand Prix tournament, and each time my experience of the city and the people I meet is getting better and better"- said the Tomasz Gollob's loyal supporter from Edinburgh. "It all began in 2004 when I arrived at the Grand Prix in a cast of plaster of Paris, after a major football accident, which ended with a broken arm. I was little afraid to participate in such a large event with my arm in a cast, but the Bydgoszcz spectators whom I met were very friendly and took care of me ... "A Friendship Day" was born - fondly reminiscing Steve Gilroy. This year, Steve brings to Bydgoszcz a team of 40 supporters. Initially, the group of his companions were not so numerous. - " During the first visit to the Grand Prix in Bydgoszcz, only one person accompanied me, but the gained experience and enthusiasm I saw after Tomasz Gollob's victory meant that since 2006 I decided to organize visits of larger groups of supporters. In 2006, six people participated in the trip to Bydgoszcz, but this number increased to thirty-six by 2009, and this year reached a record - of forty people participating in the trip - said Stevie. I don't make any money by doing this and for the supporters from Scotland, I promote it as a visit to the "home of world speedway." None of the participants have had any bad experiences so far. The Scottish supporter well remembers his visits to Bydgoszcz, which already turned into a ritual. - " Arriving in Bydgoszcz, we always stay at the local "Hotel Pomorski" in which we are well cared for . On Friday evenings, we usually spend several hours in the hotel bar, and then go to the city centre, where after visiting the premises at the Old Town we hold an annual "pilgrimage" to the Savoy Club, where we slowly build an atmosphere for Saturday's feast of speedway. No matter where we eat or drink, we are met with great hospitality from the locals. I can honestly say that this is a key factor that makes coming back here every year so enjoyable - praised the Bydgoszcz hospitality Stevie Gilroy. In the story of the Scottish fan there is his favorite theme, which is the main reason for his visits to Bydgoszcz. - This year is obviously unique, and I would describe it by using a very British saying "The king has been crowned" - Stevie says with zest. - The King is of course Tomasz Gollob - my hero for many years. The hero, who finally achieved his life's goal of being the Polish world champion. How great it is to repeat these words! My admiration for Gollob started in 1999, when I first visited Poland, participating in the cycle speedway in Rawicz. In that year Tomek won the Grand Prix in Wroclaw, and from that moment I became one of his biggest fans in the UK. Currently, we have the Edinburgh group of fans called "The Tomasz Gollob Appreciation Society", which organizes two or three events at the Edinburgh speedway stadium, during which we celebrate the great ride of the new World Champion - said Tomasz Gollob's loyal supporter from Scotland . I'm not sure if I wanted Tomasz to secure the title before the Bydgoszcz tournament, but I think the way it happened, is the best in the world - admits Steve Gilroy. - Our forty members group from Scotland can no longer wait to meet with residents of Bydgoszcz and show that the Scots and Poles can have fun together like no other! It certainly will be a poignant evening and I am confident that Tomasz will want to win, and symbolically pass next year's Grand Prix tournament to Gorzow - says the fan from Scotland. British fans do not stop their visits to Poland at Bydgoszcz. Usually, with the help of friendly supporters of the Polonia Bydgoszcz team, on Sunday after the Grand Prix they organize trips to speedway meetings in other Polish cities. In this way, they attended Individual Junior World Final at Ostrow the Grand Prix Challenge, at Zielona Gora, or the match at Grudziadz. This year they will direct their steps to Leszno, where together with Polish fans they want to say goodbye to Leigh Adams. source: sportowefakty.pl author: Andrzej "Mama" Matkowski translated by : PolskiZuzel

Not to worry, mate :-) I would rather watch SGP at Torun, or Gorzow, than on this out of date stadium at Sportowa. I came to conclusion that until it gets modernised, I won't be going there anymore. The racing track at Bydgoszcz is good. No doubt about, but as far as spectactor's conditions are concerned...well, this is another story.