Undercover Elephant

We've kept the same coverage on Speed channel and they are heavily advertising live coverage of the Elite league in Aus. What's the update, if any, on coverage from outside the UK?

This post does ring true. Some people have short memories on some of Tai's slap dash comments. The way I see it now, Tai has plenty to prove next season in more ways than one. Lets see if he can prove people wrong and get the job done on a consistant basis.

Hospital? Are you serious? How on earth can this happen on the eve of the biggest weekend of the season for him if this is true

At prices like this, why would this entice families to go and watch this? Value for money? Someone who attended tonight may give their opinion on the admission and the line up.

Yep you're right. Vaculik miles clear of Tai for a pick. Sub Tai for MJJ as a proven winner at International level. My bad!

Exactly right. Why the minority of Brits on here bag one of there own is beyond me. The Harris criticism was justified to the effect that he's a good rider, just not at GP level and deserves time on the bench next season. Should he wish to prove himself again, then he'd enter the qualifiers, and good luck to him if he does. I'm a Brit and I've not seen fans over here in Aus bashing their own, unless some obscure forum does the same, in which I care not to read! My personal choices would be Darcy Ward top of the list, then Hampel, Tai and for his GP win in Denmark I'd go with MJJ for his maiden win this season.

With all due respect to Ales, can anyone really see this rider adding anything to the series next season. Personally I just think he'll make the numbers up in the line up. He hasn't set the world on fire in the time I've known him to race in the British league or at International level. I can't help think that SGP may be thinking the same......

Some interesting comments to read on this topic and enjoyed reading them from both view points on the rights and wrongs. You don't need to read a thread which turns into non constructive drivel with the best will in the world to put a point across. I fully expected this to end up with a lot of nonsense written but both view points on Nicki and his expressive ways have been argued in a positive way, and I completely see both sides on this. I don't want to make more of this than need be, I just like to read other people's thoughts. But regarding sponsors, I had a conversation with someone about this and showed them the footage of Nicki's outbust along with the prior footage of the racing incident in it's entirity. He said that you would think a sponsor of a particular team or individual person would have a quiet word with the organisers and seek clarification on comments and gestures aired, but most importantly the individual himself, especially if they are a main sponsor with a lot at stake perhaps. Take Red Bull as well as Monster which has been mentioned. Does it suit the RB image if this happened to one of there riders/drivers like Emil, Crump or a Travis Pastrana in Nascar? Personally, I would have some concerns if my name is plastered on a speedway racesuit and that rider in particular was seen on TV doing what Nicki did on Saturday night, that's just my opinion. I wouldn't want to see that from a business/commecial standpoint, but then most people wouldn't be that picky in noticing, only a sponsor perhaps??

I don't enjoy being outraged, not at all. I'm just airing an opinion no different to your counter post. I felt perfectly calm when I wrote my post so maybe the tone gives a differing view on how I was feeling when I finally pressed the send button!! Would you think it fair that I said that these riders in the GP series are just amatuers? Of course it wouldn't, these riders are fully paid professional who risk life and limb to earn a living. What I am saying is that the riders have some form of responsibility in making specific comments under close scrutiny of people watching live in person and on TV. I agree with Wendy with your counter comment of having a camera shoved in their face and how do people expect them to react in the immediate moments after an incident. The fact is riders should know in the heat of the moment, the best thing to do is say nothing which puts them in any position to make matters worse. Easier said than done you might say, but it's all about self awareness, self control and choosing your audience to air a rant. They are professionals arn't they, but Nicki's behaviour overstepped the boundry, that's all I'm saying. You can't defend what he actually did surely. Are you saying that it's now an acceptable part of this whole thing. Can we see more riders expressing themselves on camera in hand gestures and swearing with several F bombs and no action taken? It's an FIM santioned series, so would a Lorenzo or a Stoner get away with doing the same thing without some discipline being taken. Yes it adds some spice for the viewer BUT I'm just asking the question whether a sanction should be put in place for this. Let's be honest Nicki is a class rider, a hard rider when he needs to be, and he's not fighting for the Tiddlywinks World Title. This is a cut throat business and I understand riders will do what they have to to gain the upper edge, but there has to be a line towed in the way riders conduct themselves off the track to go with it.

I'm in shock but yet not surprised by Nicki Pedersen's sweary rant towards the AJ incident in the GP last night. How many times are we going to see this man throw his toys out of the pram on live TV and get away with ill thought comments and bad language to not earn a ban for this. Why in life do people think that this is an acceptable way to vent your anger for everyone to see. Some may think it's great TV, but not at this level in particular. Nicki even called the Referee, and I quote, "a tosser" in his interview with Steve Brandon, this is simply not on now is it. A fine does nothing to stop future outbursts, only a race ban would be enough to tell Nicki that he's only got himself to blame. I don't particualry care that Nicki is in the Championship hunt with Greg and Chris, this behaviour has got to stop. Add to that, I think it was completely disgusting of Nicki Pedersen to accuse AJ of putting the bike down on purpose on the finish line and not even mention that he hopes the guy is going to be ok after the accident. That to me is a disgusting way to treat a fellow rider and he shoulkd be ashamed of himself for his unnacceptable behaviour. I think his history shows what this man is really capable of despite his opinions on his exclusion.

Classic Steve Brandon when interviewing Chris Holder after the epic Heat 8 with Emil. "I mean at least you know now what a Russian kitchen sink looks like he threw everything at you then" Chris Holder, after this Cardiff performance truly does look like a World Champion in the making. I've got so much admiration for him to succeed this year. He looks the real deal then ever before.

Just watched Heat 19 again and the battle with Scott and KK made the difference in the end on making the Semi's for KK. Scott did himself proud once again. This surely seals CH 's fate next season. There is no justification to have him in the Series no matter how much his supporters want to see him succeed. I'm sorry people may disagree with the harsh reality as it stands after Cardiff. Kind of Speedway related as far as start line girls go for Cardiff, but who was the cute chick in the yellow outfit last night?!!!! She was smoking beautiful!!

The title is a bit strong don't you think mate? By all means air your views on Rico, but as pointed out, a silence for Lee has taken place at many events around Europe, it doesn't mean that we don't think of Lee and his family any less if there wasn't one at the GP last night because we don't. He'll always be in our thoughts. Just out of interest, was there any notes on the shirts and Lee in the race programme?

We have the Speed Channel feed here in Aus with Fletch and Jan doing the commentating. I am gutted for the Sky viewers not to have seen the entire trophy celebrations like we did here. I did notice that the transmission here over ran into 6am but still managed to show the whole presentation and celebrations with Chris. Nice piece with Keith Flint from The Prodigy. He said he was a first time viewer to Speedway live and was impressed by the whole package it brought. No breaks and the smell of fuel were his words bless him!! Keith talked about owning and riding his own racing team for his Enduro bikes. He's actually leading their Championship. We saw Mark Webber and John McGuiness at the meeting on TV, with John doing a really good interview with Brando. Does Sky Sports News and Sky News in their sports segments actually do anything to promote and cover the British Speedway GP. On Speed Channel here I'd say nearly every commercial it has with the racing coverage they show and promote Speedway for Grand Prix's, Elite Lge and mention Darcy Ward and Chris Holder rather a lot. Surely someone at Sky can sort out a package on footage and reporting for Speedway at league and GP level to feature in bullitins. I'm not saying all the time, but certainly when it comes to GP's and Monday night racing back home.

Why should Wembley be an option considering that the MS doesn't even get filled to capacity??

BUT it does not excuse him shouting and swearing at Race Director Tony Olsen which I personally think at this level is totally unacceptable behaviour from Nicki. By all means air your concerns, but do not shout and say that it's F'ing dangerous and F'ing bleep bleep to the man's face in front of TV cameras. Nothing new there from Pedersen when things don't go his way. He hasn't changed one bit has he. Still a shouting maniac when things don't suit him. I agree that Antonio stands more of a recall for next year with his GP win if he does finish 9th. Then you would have to think about Jarek, Martin V depending on his Challenge result. Add Darcy to the mix alongside Jepsen and there are your picks for 2013. Lindo and Harris lack consistency on a GP to GP level.

Any news on the rider also involved in the crash who hit the fence?

I'm an Aussie and I'm glad Nicki P stuck it to Jason Crump's selected team including Chris "I must graciously accept defeat" Holder and Davy "I'm simply just not good enough at International level" Watt

For those that are commenting on the Sky commentary team last night, I was more than pleased by the efforts of Darren Fletcher and Jan Staechmann on our World Cup feed here in Australia on Speed. A refreshing change to the normal proceedings from Pearson and Tatum. Not that I have anything against the regular hosts etc. Jan and Fletch did comment on the ridiculous actions regarding the Joker rule and tactical rides from Nicki and the young Danish rider. It was getting a bit silly an slightly embarrassing to watch, and a review should be looked at i think. Jan said that perhaps Craig Ackroyd may have to step in if things got more ridiculous. Can you imagine if the next set of heats ended with riders actually stopping on the track literally?? I'm in favour of no team making the Final from the beginning of the WC. By all means take an event to Czech Republic but no automatic seeding to the Final. Make sure that the track is not only rider friendly but also TV audience friendly. Nobody wants to watch a slick meeting. I want to be entertained, so give us a track (weather permitting) that is going to provide good action for everyone concerned. Some riders must learn to be gracious in defeat. The Aussies would have been rubbing it in everyone's faces had they won and the actions of some of them leaved a lot to be desired. The post race interview from Jason Crump summed him up to a tee to be frank.

Congratulations to Martin Vaculik on a fantastic GP win. He was simply sensational to watch all evening. This was one of the most entertaining GP's I've watched as every race was full of top quality racing which is what the GP's have become. The young Pole rode the meeting of his life with no fear whatsoever. The subject for us Brits will once again be focussed on Chris Harris. For Harris, I just don't know what the hell is going on when it comes to the GP's. He rides a blinder at Berwick to set him up with another opportunity for next season, but when it comes to the crunch on the world stage he's inconsistent from each event he shows up to. I'm rooting for him to be successful just like the next Brit which comes along but it's so hard to watch him. Only Chris Harris knows what's going on with himself and I'm just lost for words on what the real issues are. Does he honestly think he deserves his place in the Grand Prix Series on his performances. It's simply not good enough. Taking a year out might be the best thing for him, only he knows that. He's just making up the numbers and he knows it. I wish him luck as a supporter but he's got to help himself as the excuses are paper thin at this moment.

I completely agree with you here. What other options does Neil have in this situation, not many. His mistake of the Joker against Emil is one which shouldn't be made at World level. He knows that already, but he took the gamble, it didn't pay off, and in this particular instance he did indeed make the wrong decision on this tactic. It's the easiest thing in the world to do, criticise, be rude, and come across as a complete fool for outrageous comments made by certain fans on here, which quite frankly lets this forum down at times with regards to lack of moderating, with wild insults which only make this site the laughing stock and not Team GB. The buck stops firmly with BSPA plain and simple. Until the necessary plans are put into place, and implimented, to ensure British riders are indeed coming through along with the likes of the Poles, Danes and Swedes, then the whole GB programme will stand still due to lack of committment from the BSPA.

For a moment I choked on a crouton whilst eating some of the mrs soup she made for tea when I read this!!

I have no problem with this at all. You could say the same thing about Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds and Darryl Waltrip each week on Fox Sports coverage of Nascar and it hasn't harmed the output one bit. Fans love it and it gives the feel for the moment a little enhancement. I think it's one of those things where you either love it or loathe it. So who do you get to replace Pearson and Tatum due to the excitment of a move or a race in your opinion? Louis, Johnno (good analysist on comm) You still need a lead anchor during the races??

The decision could be made by the producers at Sky Sports who show the coverage each and every week throughout the season, thats who. They want ratings pure and simple. By having the best line up available, and advertised, will get extra viewers in my opinion compared to no build up and hype which is usually the case. Imapartial? Crikey Sky were on the bandwagon when Tai burst on the scene, Each and every week it was Tai this and Tai that, and all the pressure put on the young lad. Thats what Sky do best, hype everything up to raise the profile more so that people tune in to watch. They promo their product each week etc etc. Sky, like with the PL Darts as I mentioned want the best talent available. Just because the top 6 players in ranking automatically qualify for the PL, doesn't mean Sky with the wild card picks have to have 7th and 8th ranked players. They used Wayne Mardle for more viewers to watch rather than actual players just outside the top 6. All I'm saying is that I'd much rather see Simon Stead as a rider in the British Final as a wild card instead of the poor choice picks the BSPA put in, regardless of whether Auty was in or not due to injury. Thats just my view on it, and Sky may want to look at the same for this format next season. They pay the money for the coverage, so they should be also entitled to a say on the matter also.

I do, as I wouldn't have wrote that if I didn't think so!! A personal opinion and one which friends of mine have shared also! Personally I would pay to watch Stead and Nicholls (in no particular order) for swindon, yes