leanne1706

Personal things aside (ie ability, skill)... he had the same chances. He's beaten the top guys in the past, there was nothing to say he couldn't step it up (like Davidsson does at international level) and beat them again. But, anyway, my point is that Lynch would've had a lot of explaining to do had either Stead or Allen scored a maximum (or, say, double figures) and then he'd still replaced them.

Ok, I got one wrong, but you get my drift.

Yeh, you're right, but he had the same chance as everyone else - he has the equipment, he's fit, he had the same track as the others who did get top scores... IF (and I know it's a big if) he had done it, what would Lynch have done then??

I don't think they have to sing (or "goldfish") - we won the rugby world cup without every player singing the national anthem, why should our boys feel they have to? They may be trying to focus on the meeting, and I'm sure their head is buzzing with a lot more than "oh, I have to sing now..." Yes, I agree. There were time when you saw Rico going out with Scotty to his bike and giving him a pat on the back, and Bomber was often watching the races beside Lynch - who knows what they were talking about? But, to be fair, I was watching on Sky and the cameras weren't constantly on Team GB, I don't know what was going on in the pits. But, we were shown Scott - the captain! - sitting in his chair on his own far too often for my liking. Very well said. Why are people putting such a downer on Olly? He did a far better job than "captain" Nicholls. He looked good on the track, his face was full of emotion, he actually raced rather than gave up... he tried his best. What more can you ask? Yeh, part of me agrees with that. But, they are a team - I think they need to show a little more team spirit. And that should've started with the team manager showing a bit more confidence in them and NOT telling Olly and Stead they wouldn't be riding in Denmark whatever happens. Seriously, if either of them had scored maximums, how could he have justified not taking them? It's not an issue, but what if...?

I agree about Allen. He may not have picked up as many points as we'd have hoped, but he still did better than our captain! Just a shame Scott will get put in ahead of him on Thursday, even though Olly performed better. At least he looked like he was trying, never gave up and raced for the line every time. And in the pits, while the others (bar Scotty) still looked quite jovial, Olly had a face like thunder - obviously wasn't happy with the way the night was going. He always steps up for the World Cup and GPs - hopefully he'll be a permanent fixture on the GP circuit next year. He rode his little socks off last night! Man, looking at that just brings it home, doesn't it? Scott scored only a third of what he scored last year, Bomber less than half, Steady only a fifth... that's woeful. Unfortunately, Stead looked well out of his depth - Olly maybe did try too hard at times, but at least he was trying! It's such a shame that we can only replace two riders. IMO, Scott needs a wake-up call. Has he got complacent? Does he just assume, like the rest of us, that he will automatically be in the team? Maybe Lynch could do with replacing Steady and Scotty? Why replace Olly? He was our second highest scorer. That's so unfair. Tai and Kennett could very well have done better, but the fact is Olly did better than Scott and Rico, yet they're getting another chance. Where's the sense in that? Does Lynch have the balls to replace one of his "big guns"?? I doubt it...

I lost count of the amount of times we were told "the referee's holding the tapes" on Saturday night. Very annoying by the end of the meeting.

With a bit of passion!

How about getting behind the boys that are riding tonight? It doesn't matter what we say on here today - Olly is riding ahead of Tai, and he's going to go out there and do his best for his country. Can't we just be supportive, for one day?

I know you're all just trying to be funny, but don't you think now - the day of the actual meeting - is the time to get behind the boys??

I completely missed this! Thanks Does this actually involve riding in any form, though?! Oh god, I don't even wanna know what that involves! He knows better No, I don't actually, he just knows better than to comment ** smilies deleted in quotes coz there were too many!

Only if he takes his skirt off He's a good little racer, from what I've seen of him, but would he be able to up his game like everyone else seems to for the World Cup?

We witnessed it on a flight back from JFK just a few weeks ago... luckily, we weren't affected. I guess because Davey was riding on Friday night, that limited the flights he could get so he might have had no choice other than to cut it fine...

Well, the commentary team are saying Bomber doesn't look fully fit, but he's doing alright on the track! I'd say he'll be ok for next Monday, touch wood!! Slightly worrying that Allen isn't riding, though. Any news on Scotty?

Bomber and Olly are hoping to ride tonight, so that shouldn't be a problem. Not sure about Scotty, though.

Wooh! Go Kenny And yay for Jonas and Niels, too

Not complaining about the stadium itself, not in the slightest. Not happy with the way speedway fans are being milked for every penny by the hotels around the stadium... that's if you can book one!

Depends what else is on that day, I guess. But there must be some way around it...

Even if they brought the start time forward by an hour that would help... I reckon it would be do-able for a lot of people. Plus, there's better songs to sing on the way to Wembley! "Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, we're going to Wembley..." I'm not sure there are any for Cardiff!

I've never had a problem, but like I said, only been a couple of times. Obviously, that could be a problem unless, like you say, they change the start time. Anyone know what time trains out of Cardiff run until? You might find it's not too dissimilar...

I don't think the Tube would be that much of a hassle. It's easy to use, and drops you off within walking distance of pretty much anywhere you want to go in London. They run regularly, so even if you miss one or it is packed, just wait a few minutes for the next one! Whereas, in Cardiff, you can only walk to and from the stadium if you've been one of the lucky ones who has already got a central hotel for 2009. We certainly couldn't have walked from the Ibis at Cardiff Gate. Well, we could've, but it would've taken a wee while! And, I understand, depending on where you're going the trains aren't necessarily that regular or run that late.

But, as has already been said, what happens to the other tens of thousands of fans who can't get tickets? I guess the same as happens at all the other GP tracks if it rains. It's the chance you take with speedway... I've never been to the new Wembley, but have been to the O2 a couple of times and there doesn't seem to be a big problem with people getting out. No worse than at Cardiff and trying to find a bus/taxi etc... at least a Tube is, pretty much, guaranteed. Thinking about it, though, the O2 would be a great venue - the O2 Village provides the pubs and bars that everyone is so keen on (plus an indoor ice rink, presuming it is there all year), plus the venue itself is amazing and easy to get to.

I agree - Cardiff has become a bit stale, and I feel like we're all being exploited by the hotel chains/owners because they know we'll all descend on the capital. It's not fair, but we all still pay the prices, because we want to stay and have a drink. At least Wembley is accessible from a lot of places and the train services to and from London run late. Plus, if you can't afford to stay in London, find somewhere just outside and get the Tube in - simple, not like trying to get into and out of Cardiff city centre if you're staying outside.

21CH, that's a great post. I also watched some of the Sky coverage for the first time last night, and thought the presenters' comments were OTT. Also, having seen heat 17, even my hubby (who will go against Nicki at every given opportunity... can't imagine why!) said that Adams took a right turn clattered into Pedersen. And ditto about the tapes incident - even the commentators didn't notice it until the re-run.

Aww, there goes all the fun and games!

Got to say, I completely agree! Of course luck was on his side, but does that count as cheating? He didn't deliberately knock anyone off, crash into anyone etc etc, so is he a cheat? Really? A lucky guy, yes. A cheat, not IMO. I wonder what the WTC will bring?! Perhaps Hans will take centre stage and complain about Bomber being a Conference League rider again...