chunky

I just think it's hilarious reading some of this stuff, both on the BSF, and on Facebook. I reckon it's going to be really tight tonight. Thing is, it seems that the majority of people are convinced that GB are destined to finish stone last. Why? We cruised through the semi-final. We are the only nation with three riders in the top 9 of the GP standings. Yet we are going to be outclassed? Yes, we COULD finish last, but are we really that crappy?

I knew there was a reason I liked you!

Being "set up to fail"? What an extraordinary statement! The SWC is a team event, which each country putting in a team of their best riders. I would consider that Brennan is one of our top four riders, and Ellis is "among" or better riders. They are there because there is nobody CLEARLY better (Ellis is questionable, I agree), so how are they being "set up to fail"?

I would be very shocked if Brennan failed to score tonight...

While they may be justifiable favourites, I certainly don't feel that they are "streets ahead". Zmarzlik, yes (and yes, he is beatable), but Janowski and Dudek have both been remarkably inconsistent this year, and it all depends on who shows up tomorrow. Also, I would say that the Danes are the only ones who don't stand a realistic chance of winning.

It took about 10 minutes - if that...

Again, that is the problem when you stage four meetings in five days. I see no reason why they couldn't have use a couple of tracks.

I can't argue that. It's just that the semis can be a little dull with such a difference between the top two teams and the bottom two.

Just don't blame me if you lose!

Okay, let's assume the Aussies make the final. Each of the four teams has three full-time GP riders. I know that the draw and individual race lineups will affect things, but I just worked something out simply. Let's say that every GP rider will lose to every rider above him in the standings, and beat everyone below him in the standings. So, as Number 1, Zmarzlik would be unbeaten, and Madsen (No. 7), would lose to the four above him (leaving out Lindgren and Vaculik) but beat everyone below him. This is how it would work out: POL 30 - Zmarzlik 15, Dudek 8, Janowski 7. DEN 24 - Madsen 11, Thomsen 7, Michelsen 6. GBR 35 - Bewley 13, Lambert 11, Woffinden 11. AUS 37 - Holder 14, Doyle 13, Fricke 10. So, that's just a simple rating system based on standings, but it doesn't appear to be as clear-cut as a lot of people think.

Yeah, I've seen Lidsey a few times, and was never over-impressed, but he was fantastic last night.

Again, several people have commented that the track condition is perfectly understandable, knowing that there are four meetings in five days. The main thing is that the track is not cutting up with holes and ruts everywhere. Something has to be said for that.

Thank you! I'm not really sure why everybody is writing us off before a wheel has been turned. If our top 3 are performing anywhere near their best, we can do it. They have all proven that Zmarzlik is beatable. Our fourth - whoever that may be - just has to avoid finishing last. There has been nothing from the Danes, Swedes, or Aussies, to suggest that they are superior to us. No, it's not going to be easy, but it's the World Cup - and it shouldn't be easy. All I'm hoping for is that they can provide a half-decent racing track, which won't be easy after three meetings in four days.

Yeah, there are plenty of dick heads on the BSF who could do an equally poor job!

I also dropped my hot dog at White Hart Lane a couple of years later! Yes, I have a history...

He scored 4 in the first leg, and 3 in the second. And he was third highest scorer in the final of the 2022 SoN2.

Brennan IS good enough, he DOES have experience at this level, and he just showed he can compete.

Didn't hurt Brennan at the SoN.

And we know how difficult it is coming in that late when everyone else has been riding all night...

"Lines"? I use that term very loosely...

A quick glimpse here...

Well worth keeping Ellis in for that!

Yeah, there won't be much, if any. You might find some newsreel footage that would include a clip of him, but that's all.

Plechanov, definitely...

But you're using the term, "made sense". You KNOW that clearly doesn't apply'.