grands prix series 2005...

[Guest BilaHora]

All

 

The New Year has dawned.

The countdown to the 2005 Grands Prix series is underway. We know the fifteen permanent members of the circus but how do we see them performing in 2005?

I list below the fifteen permanent members of the Grands Prix troop for 2005 and give my assessment of how they will perform in the series:

 

Adams, Leigh: The change to a traditional twenty-heat formula for the 2005 series would, one would think, suit the supreme consistency of Mr Adams more than anyone else. This may well be true, but Mr Adams consistently made the semi-finals under the previous formula and then failed to deliver in semi-finals or finals. I expect 2005 to be much the same as 2004 for Mr Adams: there, or thereabouts, but unlikely to be crowned world champion.

 

Andersen, Hans: Mr Andersen seems to have set himself a target of finishing sixth in the Grands Prix standings in 2005 and this seems a reasonable target. Mr Andersen has the ability and the character to build on his success in the 2004 Scandinavian Grand Prix at Gothenburg and one cannot rule out a victory in one of the 2005 Grands Prix. I rather think Mr Andersen will finish around about his target of sixth.

 

Chrzanowski, Tomasz: Probably seen as the “…whipping boy” of the 2005 Grands Prix series, Mr Chrzanowski has nothing to lose and much to gain. The first Grand Prix of the series is in his home country of Poland and a good result at Wroclaw could give him confidence for the rest of the series. A poor result at Wroclaw and Mr Chzranowski is more than likely to fulfil his allotted role of “…whipping boy”. It is difficult to conceive that Mr Chrzanowski will be anywhere else other than in the lower reaches of the standings, but stranger things have happened; just ask Jerzy Szczakiel (a totally unexpected but thoroughly deserving world champion in 1973).

 

Crump, Jason: Won the world title handily in 2004 and what a thoroughly deserved triumph it was. It is difficult, if not impossible, to conceive that Mr Crump will not be in the chase for the world title again this year. I would suggest that Mr Crump is almost certain to be in the top three when the 2005 series is complete and it is entirely possible that Mr Crump will be receiving his second world crown at Lonigo.

 

Gollob, Tomasz: The move towards more permanent tracks should benefit Mr Gollob, although, as I have stated before, his disappointments in 2004, save for Bydgoszcz, came on the permanent tracks he usually adores. Mr Gollob looked down on power, especially at Krsko, however, a mooted change to GM machinery should provided the Polish legend with more power and a good chance of his first world title.

 

Hampel, Jaroslaw: The pretender to Mr Gollob’s crown as Polish No 1, Mr Hampel should definitely benefit from the move to more permanent tracks. Mr Hampel really did perform poorly on the temporary tracks in 2004 and, unless he can improve on this aspect dramatically in 2005, the temporary tracks could put paid to a serious challenge for the title from Mr Hampel. That said, I would expect to see Mr Hampel consolidate his position in the Grands Prix series this coming season.

 

Hancock, Greg: Mr Hancock enjoyed a splendid 2004 season, finishing third in the title race, but was this simply a last hurrah? I rather think it might well have been. I cannot see Mr Hancock improving on this position in 2005 and, indeed, I see him slipping back down the field.

 

Jonsson, Andreas: There is no denying that Mr Jonsson is hugely gifted, but, if the truth be known, we have all been waiting rather too long for that real “…breakthrough” season from him, both in the Elite League and at Grands Prix level. I see Mr Jonsson remaining somewhat static in the Grands Prix standings but a serious charge for the title cannot be totally dismissed as fantasy.

 

Lindback, Antonio: Mr Lindback struggled in his only Grand Prix appearance in 2004 (Gothenburg), looking out of his depth at this level. In addition, Mr Lindback had an indifferent World Team Championship (WTC) in 2004, although he did improve as the tournament progressed. However, one has to consider that in the WTC he fell under the protective penumbra of Tony Rickardsson and in the Grands Prix series Mr Rickardsson is likely to be concentrating solely on his own ambitions. I expect Mr Lindback to struggle in the lower end of the rankings and will probably have to rely on the charity of BSI and the FIM for 2006 qualification.

 

Nicholls, Scott: Britain’s best hope in the 2005 Grands Prix series, which is, in all honesty, not saying much. Mr Nicholl’s should be consistently the best British performer in the series and he may make the occasional semi-final, perhaps even final, but he is unlikely to be in the top eight of the standings come the end of the 2005 series.

 

Pedersen, Bjarne: A somewhat surprising, albeit deserved, victory in the European Grand Prix at Wroclaw in 2004 was hardly built upon during the remainder of the 2004 Grands Prix series by Mr Pedersen. I cannot see Mr Pedersen “…pulling up any trees” in the 2005 Grands Prix series where, I rather fancy, the change in formula will hinder him. I see Mr Pedersen in the lower reaches of the standings in 2005 and trusting in the charity of BSI and the FIM for inclusion in the 2006 Grands Prix series.

 

Pedersen, Nicki: The 2003 world champion had a difficult season at this level in 2004. He appeared to struggle under the weight of his own expectations and some of his racing was dangerously over-aggressive and desperate. Still, Mr Pedersen consistently reached semi-finals in 2004 and I anticipate seeing a more relaxed Mr Pedersen do much the same in 2005. I cannot see Mr Pedersen regaining his world crown but he should be comfortably secure in the rankings.

 

Richardson, Lee: In my humble opinion, Mr Richardson is likely to be disadvantaged by the changes introduced for the 2005 series. The competition is much tougher this time around, and the move to a traditional twenty-heat formula means his ability to pull off a lightening start in a crucial eliminator is gone. The occasional semi-final cannot be ruled out, but I anticipate seeing Mr Richardson struggling towards the lower end of the rankings in 2005.

 

Rickardsson, Tony: The complete professional and a rider I believe has taken the sport of speedway onto a new level, in much the same way Ivan Mauger did in the late-1960s and early-1970s. With the goal of equalling Mr Mauger’s record of six world crowns driving him on, his huge talent and meticulous attention to detail, Mr Rickardsson will, once again, be a major force in the 2005 Grands Prix series.

 

Sullivan, Ryan: Mr Sullivan had a rather disastrous Grands Prix series in 2004 and had to rely on the charity of BSI and the FIM to remain in the series. Mr Sullivan, however, surely deserved this second chance with his record of four Grand Prix victories, but he is unlikely to receive a third chance. Therefore, Mr Sullivan must have a solid 2005 Grands Prix series. However, I do not see it happening. Mr Sullivan, like a few others, might make the occasional semi-final or final but I see him around mid-table in the final standings.

 

As a little final note, I will make my own personal ill-founded predictions for the top three in the Grand Prix standings at the end of the 2005 season:

 

No 1. Tomasz Gollob (the triumph of hope over expectation, I know)

No 2. Jason Crump

No 3. Tony Rickardsson

 

I know you will all disagree with me.

 

Regards

 

BilaHora

Edited January 11, 2005 by BilaHora

[Cornishman]

interseting thoughts and i agree with most of it although:

 

1) i think scotty will finish in the top 8 if he stays injury free

 

and

 

 

2) if tomasz gollob wins the series i'll literally eat my hat (my bomber harris one)

[Scunny Stag]

Interesting Bila Hora but who's prepared to stick there neck out and give a finishing order? Of course injuries will make a difference but I must say it's very difficult.

 

Apart from saying Crump, Rickardsson, N.Pedersen and possibly Adams, will make the top 4 and Chrzanowski being last I wouldn't like to predict the rest. Anyone else?

[Guest latvian-speedway]

I think that A.Jonsson could be in TOP3, couldn't he??

[Rico]

Fantastic posting Mr Bila Hora.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments, most of which I concur with, and it has whetted the appetite for what should be an exciting season in the GPs. I reckon the new format should provide a lot of excitement and the guarantee of each of the riders getting a minimum 5 races over the event night is good for fans and riders alike.

 

I can see the last 4 heats of the 20 being a scramble to qualify for the semi-finals, with riders desperate to qualify yet already qualified opponents not turning off the gas as they know they might be throwing away a GP point if they fail in their semi-final. The semi-finals could be real harem-scarem stuff as the difference between making the final and not could be a lot of points to the riders. Edge of the seat stuff coming up I hope.

 

As for predictions I've definitely let my heart rule my head and why not - it's a new year, perfect time to dream !

 

1) Tomasz Gollob

2) Tony Rickardsson

3) Leigh Adams

 

This I really see as Gollob's last chance saloon and he has (as has tRick) got a substantial amount of sponorship to fund his title challenge this year. I can see the above three together with Crump, AJ and NP making the vast majority of the semi-finals with the other spots being swapped around a few of the riders (Nicholls, Andersen, Hampel, B Pedersen, Hancock, Sullivan).

 

I see a tough baptism for Lindback in the GPs and don't see him setting this particular stage alight just yet (no doubt he will in the future). Might scrape into a semi-final or two, which imho would be an achievment for one so young. Richardson I think will find the competiton a lot hotter this year with a lot less cannon fodder in the meetings and Chrzanowski will just find it too hot to handle.

 

As you state the return to more permanent tracks SHOULD suit Gollob and hopefully he will have the equipment to match his undoubted talent. It's quality, not quantity with the narrowing of the field and I'm just praying the real cream rises to the top

 

Rico

[garf]

Hiya Mr. Bila Hora!

 

Interesting post you have made.

 

I'm just missing one rider, the first reserve, who I believe will come into action.

IMO he will be qualifying to or pretty close to the semis in the races he will be riding in.

 

So depending on the no. of injuries between the settled GP riders we will see KB ending in the top 10.

[pugwash]

I suspect that it will be, as always, down to consistency :

1. Rickardsson.

2. Crump.

3. Adams.

[The Know]

I think 05 will be the year you see tony, jason and leigh start to slip back with the younger riders starting to be more dominant. Denmark will step up a gear with riders filling the top 3 places in sgp at times and making the wtc their own.

G.B has no chance of a world champion this year as scott has lost his drive slightly and lee even though very good has not got the abiltiy to go the next step. We will just have to wait and see what happens but i think it will a case of out with the old and in with the new. (WHO CARES WHO WINS LETS JUST HAVE GOOD CLOSE RACING )

[iris123]

Just as important, The Know.What is happening to BSI's master plan to take the GP series to the big city stadiums?It's all looking very provincial now.

[Guest Aussie Dirtdingo Throttlejockey]

Just as important, The Know.What is happening to BSI's master plan to take the GP series to the big city stadiums?It's all looking very provincial now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

What a wonderfuly refreshing post Bila . I will stick my neck out here and say Tony Ricko will once again reign supreme and finally crack Maugers record this year and in 06 and thank christ i reckon he deserves it more to be finally named the World greatest of all time regardless of any era. Some will disagree with that no worries but the guy has been the modern day consumate professional from since stepping up in 94 and the rest as they say has been gravy. I also hope on a personal note he gets his butt back into Elite League racing in some form with whatever club. So i reckon the following love it or leave it : P.S. i still reckon the series over the past couple of years has been robbed without the presence of Billy The Bullet

 

Ricko

Crump

Gollob

Adams

Pedersen N

Hancock

Jonsson

Andersen

Sullivan

Hampel

Nicholls

Pedersen B

Richardson

Lindback

Chrzanowski

[The Know]

Just as important IRES 123, HOW MANY G.Ps do you support. Have run at large stadiums for a few years now but not enough people turn out. As they say if you dont use it you will lose it and you wont get knocked over by the rush to take it over. Speedway at domestic or international level will always be a minority sport so you have to do the very best with the tools provided. Their are big plans for the future but somtimes you need to take a step backwards to then go forward and this is what is happening. ( see you all in poland then )

[iris123]

Only been to one.If the product isn't of interest i won't spend on it.As it happens i might go to Copenhagen or maybe Prague,but i will say straight out i am not keen on this K.O format.Even if they had a GP in Germany i wouldn't travel all the way to Bavaria to see it.In my opinion speedway exists in a small world,too small to make for a GP series of more than 4 or 5 meetings.Thats why i would rather join 8,000 at an open meeting at Teterow than travel to Slovenia with 4 or 5,000 others.

[dublin duke]

Both Hancock and Lindback will finish in the top 6.

 

T. Rickardsson will be champion.

[Cornishman]

so has anyone on here got any confidence in the brits at all

 

 

 

 

i reckon lee will struggle but scotty (if he stays fit) will have his best year yet and qualify for the 2006 competition with ease.

 

im going for scotty 6th-8th

 

 

and lee 12th

[The Know]

Scott will be very very lucky to finish in the top six and lindback has no chance of this, more likely to end up in the pits crying like in swedish g.p.

[sjw ministerofport]

I think the new system will give more excitment than the one used over the last few years.

I would like to see your selected winner triumph Mr BilaHora but doubt it.

I think that Tony will probably win as he seems to be able to work out whats needed to come out on top usually. How ever saying that last year he did seem to slip on more occasions than normal.

 

Jason will retain his crown.

 

 

If there was a return to the old one off Championship im sure anyone of the GP stadiums would be filled. I remember the crowds at Wembley. I would not want to go back to the one off finals as i enjoy following the GPs.

[SCB]

I think Bilahora has it almost spot on. Ignoring his wish to see Tommy G win a World title I think most of what he says is about right, mind you, I'd love to see Tomasz up there battling it out for a title as Tomasz epitomizes what speedway should be about.

 

Crump and Trick as the top 2, after that, who knows? I'll say Leigh Adams.

[danish kitty]

Crump, Rickardsson and Hancock as the top 3 in any order.

 

Would be nice to see Greg Hancock win another title before he gets to far past it.

 

I know Hans Andersen has set him self a target of sixth place, but i think he can do much better.

I also think Jarek Hample can do quite well next year.

 

As for the Brits, both Scotty and Lee will do ok, but they really NEED to put their minds to it, to get what they want.

[ZKZ Kitten]

As i`m not very in performance of all these riders I`d share my feelings about them (not all of them) only. In a typical girl`s way...

 

 

Andersen, Hans: All girls love him I suppose. Ha, that`s a myth. I don`t love him really. I think he has a great opportunity to develop his riding in the coming season but that`s really all. No chances for podium in my opinion.

 

Chrzanowski, Tomasz: As a great patriot I would say. I believe in Tomek. As Mr Protasiewicz, Mr Dobrucki and Mr Walasek made me sad about their results - he is my hope for future. So does young Mr Kasprzak.

 

Crump, Jason: My sister`s favourite rider, what makes me mad, cause I wish Mr Richardson was her favourite rider. And she says Jason is beautiful. Kill me and I wont say he is even nice... he deserved his first place but he doesnt deserve her "love"...

 

Gollob, Tomasz: I have two wishes about my Polish star. Firstly, I wish he didnt throw his bike after each bad race. Secondly, I wish he could won this year GP series... sweet dream...

 

Hampel, Jaroslaw: My second Polish star. Vey handsome, young man. Already has a beautiful wife And seriosuly I hope he will do much better this year and end the season in the Top 5, cause he deserve it as he showed last year...

 

Lindback, Antonio: One wish. I wish he rode more carefully and fair in future. I hate his behaviour. I hate it!

 

Pedersen, Nicki: In my Polish team, once again. I have to say I`m incredibly happy with it. I should also say he is a very, very good rider. Some of you can disagree...

 

Richardson, Lee: I will leave it free cause I experienced unpleasantness after exposing my feeling about him on this forum... I`m still upset with that...

 

Rickardsson, Tony: My No 1 in this year GP. That`s all I want to say.

 

 

Thanks for your attention...

 

P.S. Mr BilaHora,

 

I`m very sorry about the way i replied your thread but as I said once I`m not very... ermm, clever recently... you know why. All in all, I did my best,

 

Regards,

 

Kitten

Edited January 12, 2005 by ZKZ Kitten

[Trees]

I sincerely hope this year will be Leigh's year, with Crumpy second (he can have the title next year again ) I, too, would like to see Tomasz Gollob up in the top 3 also.