BritPete

Thanks for that norbold, it all fits together like a jigsaw puzzle! now, who has got one of those leaflets! It is very odd that I cannot recall what happened yesterday, but events of 44 years ago are no problem at all! I did get the legs the wrong way round though, as Fundin was on his home track on the 1st! most unusual for him to get beat at home in a golden helmet match race!

The question is then, was the second leg on the 1st of september 1961? Actually, it was a little more than just a leaflet, it was a mini programme, showing two races with the riders names and helmet colours, plus a space to fill in, in case there was a deciding race!

Sometime in the early 60's I was going into Wembley stadium for a big meeting, it was NOT the world final though, it could have been the British final, I am not sure. Anyway, on the way in some leaflets were being handed out, stating that a run-off for the Golden helmet match race title may be held prior to the evenings meeting, it all depended on the result of the second leg which was held the night before. The two riders in question were Ove Fundin and Bjorn Knutsson, Fundin had, rather unusually, lost his home leg, and as I was very much of aware of, had also lost the second leg at Southampton the previous night, so there was no run-off! Unfortunately I did not keep the leaflet, does anybody else remember this? has anybody actually still got one of these leaflets?

Of course the Brits have helped each other out in the past, I was in Sweden when Michael lee became World Champion, he would have won it anyway, but, he did have a helping hand to score his 14 points! I was just making the point that there are not enough good Brits out there to be in that position very often today.

Well said, HS. Just as I admitted I was wrong about Nicholls' performance tonight! We all make mistakes...as the dalek said, climbing off the dustbin! Not like you to be funny, AndyM!

Testicles? is that a family word?

The Polish riders have often helped each other in these situations, and the Swedes, and the Americans, it's just a shame that the Brits are not in a position to do it!

As I said, time will tell, right now nobody knows.

Age has nothing do do with it! LOL, tell that to TR, he is a far better rider now than he was 10 years ago,why? because of his experience! Look at the way he went by Nicki tonight, not only did he get by, but, he also managed to stop Crump's inside run at the same time! That is what experience can do!

iris, you really do need to get out more!

If you really think that Mauger was better than Rickardsson, then that is your opinion, I will always disagree, and, I do not believe that I am the only one. That overtake was a very rare occurence for him, the likes of Rickardsson, Briggo, Collins etc. would make such moves most weeks of the season, and, they would do so for fun!

Rickardsson will be just as motivated next year, have no doubts about that! The question is, can he go one better than Mauger? he could so easily have been looking at his 7th win right now, but, injury prevented him. Will he still be able to do it at the age of 35 next year? Only time will tell!

I missed that meeting! however, you will be very hard pressed to build up a collection of Mauger's greatest overtakes!

Crump doesn't look so slow now!

Lindback's fault without a doubt, and Crump does look slow! Easy to forget that Lindback is only 20 though!

Scottie will be a hot favourite at Oxford tomorrow! Great win!

True, but Crump is the defending champion, and no doubt he had thoughts of doing it again, but now he knows he cannot.

Crump has been mentally destroyed by the amazing form of Rickardsson, this came across very clearly in crump's interview earlier.

I saw all of Mauger's career, and most of Brigg's and Fundin's etc. It is all well and good saying that you cannot compare era's, but, there is one aspect of it whereby you can, IMO. How good were these riders when they missed the start? Briggs was superb from the back, as good as anyone you can think of, Fundin was a very fast starter, but, when he missed the start he was capable of winning races, and I saw him do it many times. Mauger, however was the exception, I watched him in many, many meetings across the country, and never once did I see him get past anyone, if he missed the start, then he lost the race, in fact he was notorious for it, and no doubt that contributed greatly to his unpopularity. Mauger is of course amongst the greats, but the best of all? not to me, as far as I'm concerned the greatest ever would have to have more to his armoury than to be a quick starter.

Maybe this explains the poor performances by Davidsson and Alden at Swindon last thursday! maybe it was a case of Swedish Junior Final--itis!

My competition points are sinking like a stone!

Jason who?

What a dirty ride by Hancock, taking poor old Nicki out!

Has anyone ever known a race to be re-run after it has been completed?