dirtytrick

If he qualified on the night then he deserves it, despite the rubbishe he gets on here (magnus that is), as for Holder, top bloke and really deserves it, as Steve says,special!!

You're getting the idea now then?

both correct. But you don't have one of Girls Aloud or Lady Ga Ga walking out onto the pitch, sidling up to messrs Peitersen or Strauss and asking them if there's any turn in the pitch, if facing a left hander affects their shot selection or whether impending cloud cover is going to make the ball swing.

Yes you could be right. Afterall, all the other female luminaries that have graced our speedway coverage have gone on to host world's greatest sporting events, anchored the world's finest news programmes, presented the most prestigious of media broadcasts........... mmm........ or maybe not. Suzi Perry? A true bike loving presenter, good all round knowledge and presenting skills. Would have succeeded regardless of Sky. Ditched them and went on to better things. The exception that proves the rule I'm afraid.

Oh don't you know, it's to keep the poor working class oiks amused between trying to do the Sun crossword and slurrrrrping on their mugs of tea. Oh and the answer to your question is NO.

Incorrect. Sports channels/programmes keep hold of their best presenters, good presentation adds hugely to the product. If it is your opinion she has presented two bigger sports already, why has she 'downsized' to speedway then? Think about it.

Am I going completely mad or have you lot (well the majority on this thread) completely lost the plot?? If you think Charlie is in any way a decent presenter you need to have a word with yourself. If her standard of presentation, her clarity of delivery and her level of knowledge is, in your view, 'good', then how damned low have you set the bar?? How bad would you have to be to be 'bad' ?? The mind boggles! This is one of the biggest problems in speedway, the willingness to accept such pathetically low standards in all areas of the sport, and why it will remain a laughable minority sport. I have absolutely nothing against her as an individual, she clearly is an enthusiastic individual trying her best to operate well outside her comfort zone, for that I applaud her. But for christ's sake, when will this obsession with Sky and the Murdoch mafia to have 'pretty young things' as the wallpaper for their sports coverage and anchor roles ever end? It's all getting a little silly. Is it too much to ask to just have people presenting that actually know what they are talking about? I don't give a monkeys what people look like, fat, thin, black, white, beautiful, plain, anything, just please be comfortable, knowledgable and concise. It ain't rocket science. She has a terrible habit of tripping over her own words, irritatingly not finishing sentences when she's getting things in a muddle, and then giggles like a little schoolgirl ( which is basically nerves ) when she interviews riders. Am I the only one that finds this embarrassing, embarrassing for her actually? I guess the calculation is that speedway is predominantly watched by working class, poorly schooled Sun reading males who will overlook the pretty little thing's mistakes as long as they can gawp at her squeeking away at the microphone. There is a very very disparaging view of the people that watch speedway in the media, that's obvious. Thick, in other words. Well how does that make you feel, patronised or what? It's an interesting view to suggest it's sexism, it is of course, in some respects, because she's only there for her attractive qualities if we are honest, but it's more a class issue isn't it? Imagine if they tried it with cricket, for example? Not in a million years, because afterall, that's watched by port sipping well heeled middle class types (!), who simply wouldn't put up with such a thing. Still, if that's the standard you are happy with, and you feel it promotes progression and professionalism in the sport, then fair do's. But to me, it just adds to the embarrassing amatuerism this sport seems to want to revert to lately, and it's a real shame.

You know who you are........ Just to say thank you to the gang for my goodies, suffice it to say I had rather an unconventional breakfast this morning! You guy sare the best. DT XXX

EASYJET flights on sale from today for Gatwick to Prague. Snapped mine up this morning for 86 quid all in, not bad for a bank holiday weekend. Prices going up all the time so hurry hurry hurry!

It's a bit of a minefield trying to get a good hotel in Prague but I can recommend a few. For a central location near the Powder Tower try the K+K Central, it's an awesome hotel with a fantastic breakfast including champagne, and about a ten minute walk to Charles Bridge. It's on the pricey side though, but the place to go if you want to treat yourself. Couldn't fault it last year. Booked through Expedia. Two years ago we stayed in the Carlton Hotel ( formerly The Bristol ), this is also a fantastic hotel and spottless clean with really tasteful and roomy accomodation. You can walk into town from the hotel but as it's in Zizov it takes abut 25mins. There is a tram outside the hotel so thats the best option. The bars and food here are very cheap. Booked through Hotelconnect. Next year we are in the Bellagio, five minutes from the old town in the Jewish Quarter. Got a very good deal ( almost 50% cheaper in some cases) for a group booking and the company was extremey helpful (http://www.marys.cz/). They also do very cheap apartments too. Always use Tripadvisor.com for the best lowdown on your hotel, don't rely on the hotels' own blurb!

Hi, a group of four of us are staying in Verona the weekend of the Italian Gp and need some help with transport. We are ok to get to Lonigo but are finding it a little tricky getting back into town ( VERONA) after the meeting. We are happy to pay the going rate to anyone with free spaces on their coach or similar that could accomodate four of us. Any help with this or any advice greatly recieved. Please email me (dirtytrick@bikerider.com) if you can help. DT

Hi James, I have sent you an email regarding the post above. If you can help me out with any info I would be most grateful, thanks DT

Hi Grassergirl Take your print-out tickets to the standing area entrance where they zip the bar code and let you straight in, all very easy and no exchanging for 'proper' tickets required. Well thats what happened last year anyway. Regards