JT Posted June 21, 2004 Report Share Posted June 21, 2004 (edited) Below are the best teams I feel each of the top World Cup Countries could field in the forthcoming SWC at Poole and Eastbourne. Team GB 1.D.Norris 10.32 2.M.Loram 10.12 3.S.Nicholls 8.50 4.G.Havelock 8.44 5.L Richardson 7.93 The GB team really picks itself in my opinion although Screen may be preferred to Havelock at Eastbourne with Havelock reclaiming his place at Poole. By far the strongest team GB will have tracked in this competition. Favourites maybe? OZ 1.L.Adams 11.30 2.J.Crump 10.65 3.R.Sullivan 9.02 4.C.Watson 10.43/2 = 5.22 5.S.Johnston 6.74 /Boyce 4.69 /Parker 4.98 /Lyons 5.51 The Aussies in 2004 will not have it their own way in the qualifier by any means, the top three pick themselves but with Wiltshire retiring and Lyons off form will Craig Watson finally get the recognition from his Newport manager Street, that he deserves? This year Wato has really come to the fore, especially on the international stage where he is the only Aussie to reach the GP Qualifier in Vojens and has beaten proven international riders to make it there. On the domestic scene Wato is the top PL rider. Boyce, Lyons and to a lesser extent Parker (not brilliant at Poole) will fight for the last place with the exciting Johnston. Denmark 1.N.Pedersen 9.29 2.B.Pedersen 8.86 3.H.Andersen 8.63 4.J.B.Jensen 7.32 5.C.Gjedde ?? /N.K.Iversen 6.69 /K.Bjerre 7.58 The top 4 for Denmark are pretty certain, but the last place depends on how successful Charlies return from injury is, if it isn’t successful than two of the most exciting Danish and world talents of the moment Iversen and Bjerre will be the next in line candidates for a very strong looking especially at Poole Danish squad. Sweden 1.T.Rickardsson 10.82 2.A.Jonsson 9.16 3.M.Max 9.29 4.P.Karlsson 9.02>2003 5.A.Lindback 8.84 Sweden along with GB do look very strong especially at Poole and unusually as defending champions look far stronger than when they won it. The final position has to go to Lindback IMO. Poland 1.T.Gollob Picks himself really! 2.J.Hampel 6.24>2003 3.P.Protasiewicz 8.??>2003 4.S.Ulamek 7.66 5.EDIT G.Walasek Another team where the top 4 pretty much pick themselves although only 1 of them is riding in GB this season, the last place I feel will go to EDIT Walasek. CZ 1.B.Brhel Top CZ rider 2.L.Dryml 6.50 3.A.Dryml 6.46 4.T.Topinka 4.56 5.J.Franc 3.52 /A.Rymel 3.60 /P.Ondrasik 3.19 The Czechs will struggle this year in my opinion, the Dryml brothers especially Lukas seemed to have lost it completely. Brhel is an exciting racer, the same goes for Topinka while the last place will be fought out by the Berwick duo and the dark horse Ondrasik who has gone well at Wimbourne Road in the past and is a Czech pairs champion. What do you think about the above teams and whoever else has qualified? Edited June 22, 2004 by JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 (edited) Sweden1.T.Rickardsson 2.A.Jonsson 3.M.Max 4.P.Karlsson 5.A.Lindback Poland 1.T.Gollob 2.J.Hampel 3.P.Protasiewicz 4.S.Ulamek 5.W.Jagus/R.Dobrucki Another team where the top 4 pretty much pick themselves, the last place I feel will go to the impressive at the recent GP Jagus. Wow the Swedes will be strong at Poole ! I reckon Grzegorz Walasek, who put in a mighty perfromance in the Wroclaw GP and at Poole the week after may get the nod for the 5th Polish berth. Rico Edited June 22, 2004 by Rico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 (edited) I feel sure that Travis McGowan will get the call before Craig Watson for Australia and Steve Johnston will be ahead of Boyce, Parker and Lyons. I could be wrong about Boycie though, because he does have extensive knowledge of the Poole track. Rafal Dobrucki will be in the Polish top four at the expense of Pepe I believe and if the Czechs wish to keep one eye on the future they could include Lubos Tomicek in their squad. I can really argue with your other selections although the Swedes usually manage to spring a surprise. And to be honest I believe the Aussies do seem to be red hot favourites on paper. Edited June 22, 2004 by Kevin Hammond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sir Lunchalot Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Surprised no one has mentioned Adam Shields in the Oz discussions. He's just been quietly going about his business scoring some good points and I think he would be a better choice than a few of the others. No disrespect to a few of the older riders but they aren't going to get any better, Shields most probably will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozyace Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 My Aussie team would be: Leigh Adams Jason Crump Ryan Sullivan Johno Jason Lyons The top three pick themselves - pure class! Johno's having a stellar year and deserves a walk up start because he's me mate. - seriously though he had 11 away at Poole earlier this season and with away matches at both Poole and Eastbourne coming up in the next few weeks he may prove himself. Lyonsy is havin a shocker, to put it mildly but i think once his confidence is back and it won't be long, he would love the chance to show the Poole fans just how good he is. It's going to be a tough call for the last two spots with Watto, Moose, Boycie, Rooboy and Adam Shields all making strong claims. Also what about our own J.J. (rude boy) Jon Jorgensen, if he is picked for Denmark can he can he double up for Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted June 22, 2004 Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Rafal Dobrucki will be in the Polish top four at the expense of Pepe I believe and if the Czechs wish to keep one eye on the future they could include Lubos Tomicek in their squad. Can't see Dobrucki getting in ahead of Pepe myself. Pepe is a GP rider (ok he's not had a great start to the season, but he's getting there) and he won the WC Grand Final at Poole last season (which RD finished 8th or so). Rafal doesn't have the international experience of Pepe. He's done very well for Oxford this season but I don't see him ousting Pepe from the team. I'd certainly have Walasek in the Polish 5 at Poole, just for his track knowledge - Eastbourne is a tough call though based on this seasons form. Rico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted June 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2004 Forgot about Walasek, I will stick him in my Polish team now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splatty Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 Apparently The Daily Mirror published yesterday that Stuart Robson and Chris Neath are to be called up to the GB squad - can anyone confirm this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjasica Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 I think Jagus should be in the team instead of Ulamek and Pepe should be dropped after his display at Cardiff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 Australia has to be Adams, Crump, Sullivan, Sheilds, McGowan. Boyce as back up at Poole, as much as I'd love to see Wato rid ein the SWC (and I guess he does deserve it because of his GP qualifiers(which he and Dave Norris will qualify from, with Puk in 3rd and 1st reserve) I don't think Poole is his type of track but then I don't think it suits Adam Sheilds so he might find Johnston or Boyce stealing his place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lioness Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 Surprised no one has mentioned Adam Shields in the Oz discussions. He's just been quietly going about his business scoring some good points and I think he would be a better choice than a few of the others. No disrespect to a few of the older riders but they aren't going to get any better, Shields most probably will. Or Rory Schlein? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted June 25, 2004 Report Share Posted June 25, 2004 How about Bajerski for Poland?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted June 26, 2004 Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 Kasper in for Polska. Will go well if the poles make it thro' to Poole. Travis in for Oz. I must admit that I have slagged of this competition, silly joker rule etc, but 4 OR 5 teams look to be really exciting, should make for great racing. Sweden look to be the only team though that don't have a week link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryW Posted June 26, 2004 Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 Can't see Dobrucki getting in ahead of Pepe myself. Pepe is a GP rider (ok he's not had a great start to the season, but he's getting there) and he won the WC Grand Final at Poole last season (which RD finished 8th or so). Rafal doesn't have the international experience of Pepe. He's done very well for Oxford this season but I don't see him ousting Pepe from the team. I would certainly include Pepe at Poole where he has, as you say, a pretty good record. Not so sure about the qualifying round at Eastbourne though. Can't think whether he has ever done anything of note around there in his career. He actually missed both of Peterborough's visits last season. Maybe that tells a story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn Posted June 26, 2004 Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 (edited) Re: Aussies..... Their top 3 are obvious but with the retirement of Todd Wiltshire and Jason Lyons's shocker of a year it leaves a gaping hole in the team! Jason Crump said at the start of the year that some of the younger guys need to step up a level because after Crumpy, Adams + Sully there is a big gap in aussie talent!! I think Adam Shields(particulally at Eastbourne), Travis McGowan and Rory Schlein should all be seriously considered for a team place! If Sheilds is injured, I'd pick Crump Sullivan Adams McGowan Schlein If not then I'd swap McGowan for Sheilds Edited June 26, 2004 by SullyRox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted June 26, 2004 Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 Crump Adams Sullivan Johnstone Lyons I rekon even with Lyons poor form he will get in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest martyn_k11 Posted June 26, 2004 Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 robson should make the team as he is good at both tracks and he is a damn good racer he will try for every point he gets he has been over looked alot this season he should have been wildcard for the gp but no some old man got it called chris louis and we all know how good he was ha ha ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted June 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 (edited) Sorry but after a struggling return from injury Robbo will have no chance against the likes of Norris, Havelock, Screeny and Louis for those last two places! On the OZ topic, Rory is one for the future but I think their are riders available to OZ who internationally are just ahead of him at this stage, his time will come in the near future though! For Poland, Pepe I believe had a maximum or close to one at Eastbourne in the last World Cup? It is hard to stress how much these riders raise their game compared to league racing, you may call it selfish on the riders part (Riding far better individually then team wise) but averages in league racing doesn't count a lot when it comes to the cut and thrust of international speedway! Edited June 26, 2004 by JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted June 26, 2004 Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 Puk and KB have done themselves no harm tonight if they want a SWC place. 1. Nicki Pedersen 2. Bjarne Pedersen 3. Hans Andersen 4. Niels Kristian Iversen 5. Kenneth Bjerre stand by reserve Jesper Jensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted June 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2004 Poland have announced a shortlist of the riders for the SWC: 1. Tomasz Gollob (captain) 2. Piotr Protasiewicz 3. Grzegorz Walasek 4. Jaroslaw Hampel 5. Krzysztof Kasprzak 6. Rafal Dobrucki 7. Wieslaw Jagus 8. Sebastian Ulamek 9. Tomasz Chrzanowski 10. Marcin Rempala 11. Janusz Kolodziej 12. Robert Miskowiak Wouldn't suprise me if this list is in order! I can see the riders highlighted being the 5 riders at the Poole meeting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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