Subedei Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 (edited) So, it’s only a couple of weeks away. The Big One: Cardiff 2005. We know the riders, but how do we see them going in the sport’s showpiece event in the Millennium Stadium? Listed below are the riders (I’ve included Bjerre and Hampel, since it remains unclear which one will be there) and my thoughts on their prospects: L Adams: It’s been a disappointing GP series so far for the highly fancied Australian. The semis are once again proving to be his Achilles Heel and it looks like they always will be. But he can always spring the odd GP win and has gone well at Cardiff in the past. I take Adams to make the semis and then bomb out. H Andersen: Is having a fine season domestically and maybe as well as he expected in the GP series, except for a disappointing opener in Wroclaw. Was eliminated from Cardiff last year after a tussle with Holta saw the Norwegian on the deck and Andersen excluded. I can’t see him pulling up any trees at the Millenium Stadium this season. He’ll be doing well to make the semis. K Bjerre: Has done very well in his 2 GPs this season. Made the semis in Eskilstuna and won his 1st heat in Krsko. I think he’ll adapt easily to the temporary track in Cardiff and if the draw’s kind to him, he may even make the semis. T Chrzanowski: Can’t see the unfancied Pole doing anything on Cardiff’s temporary track. Hasn’t a hope of reaching the semis. J Crump: The champ’s having a great season, without ever hitting his stride yet, in my opinion. He’s a class act with skill, determination and a will to win that is 2nd to none. He’ll make the final and he might even win it. He has to, or TR will be disappearing over the horizon to his 6th world crown. T Gollob: The Polish folk hero made a decent effort at Cardiff last year. And his duel with Nicki P was one of the highlights of the meeting. He’s not having the best of times in the GPs this season, but he made the semis in Krsko. Engines look to be his main concern, and Cardiff isn’t really a power circuit. I take aTomek Gollob to make the semis and then the final and then the top spot on the podium. The mighty TG to win in Cardiff. J Hampel: Has missed the last 2 GPs with injury, seriously denting his hopes of automatic qualification for next season. And Cardiff isn’t his type of track. I can’t see him doing anything. G Hancock: Won at Cardiff last season. But this season has seen him slipping down the order. He’s not made the semis in the last 2 GPs and I don’t see that changing in Cardiff. A Jonsson: Was absolutely sensational at Cardiff last season. And I can see him doing well again this year, and he needs to. He’s had a disastrous series thus far. I take Jonsson to wow the crowd again with the daredevil riding he’s capable of and I think he’ll make the final. A Lindback: Has had a great start to his GP career. But the wheels came off a bit in Krsko for the young fellow. I still see nerves and pressure as being major issues for the guy and for that reason I don’t see him making much of an impression in the intimidating surroundings of the Millenium Stadium. That said, he’s got the talent to prove me wrong. S Nicholls: Rode very well in Krsko for little reward. I can see him doing a similar job in Cardiff, but hopefully with a place in the semis as the reward. D Norris: Was the hero last year, defeating Gollob and TR on his way to elimination at the last hurdle before the semis. This season he’s been troubled by a head injury that doesn’t seem to want to clear up. I wouldn’t expect too much from the guy this year and then he might just delight you. He could make the semis, but I doubt it. B Pedersen: Was disappointing in Wroclaw, outstanding in Eskilstuna and then disappointing in Krsko. Does that mean we’re in for an outstanding Bjarne in Cardiff? I doubt it. I think he’ll be amongst the also-rans. N Pedersen: I’d say Nicki P is riding better now than at any time in his career. But the competition’s a lot hotter this year. He’s pushed himself into contention for the crown by making the finals in Eskilstuna and Krsko, but another slip-up and it’s all over for him in my opinion. He’s won at Cardiff before and he could win again this year. But I don’t see it. He’ll make the semis L Richardson: Is having a terrible GP series this year. But he made it to the final at Cardiff last season. I don’t think the new format suits Richardson. I can’t see him making the semis this time around. T Rickardsson: Has been outstanding, absolutely outstanding in the GPs so far this year. The ultimate professional and surely worthy of emulating Mauger’s 6 titles? And there looks to be more determination about the fellow this year. He’s taking no prisoners. A certainty to make the final as far as I’m concerned. R Sullivan: I thought the guy did well in Eskilstuna without much reward. The reward came at Krsko where he looked more like the rider that was a challenger for the crown just a few seasons ago. He might make the semis at Cardiff, but then again he might not. And my prediction: 1. Tomasz Gollob 2. Jason Crump 3. Andreas Jonsson 4. Tony Rickardsson I'll end with a couple of questions: 1. Will Jonathan Green get TG to speak to him again this year? 2. How many times will Sophie Blake interview Lee Richardson? Thoughts anyone? Edited June 3, 2005 by Subedei Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swindonbabe Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Is Kenneth going to be riding in this one as he's only in as a replacement for Jarek Hampel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subedei Posted May 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 I don't know. That's why I put both in. Besides from which, Garf will go mad if I don't include him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZKZ Kitten Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 T Gollob: I take aTomek Gollob to make the semis and then the final and then the top spot on the podium. The mighty TG to win in Cardiff. may it be... J Hampel: Has missed the last 2 GPs with injury, seriously denting his hopes of automatic qualification for next season. And Cardiff isn’t his type of track. I can’t see him doing anything. may it not be please... I'll end with a couple of questions:How many times will Sophie Blake interview Lee Richardson? hands off Sophie Blake, he's mine and only mine! seriously, i will kick her a*se if she touches him and finally my prediction: 1. Nicki Pedersen 2. Jason Crump 3. Tony Rickardsson 4. Tomasz Gollob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garf Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 I don't know. That's why I put both in. Besides from which, Garf will go mad if I don't include him. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Moi, mad ? NNAAAAAAHHHHHHH, not at all. But you are partly right. I think I would have mensioned, or posted a little "something" in your thread that would indicate my "unpleasure", if he was not mentioned. I really do hope he will be in the Cardiff GP as well. cya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamieat1212345678 Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 my prediction 1.leigh adams 2.tony rickardsson 3.scott niholls 4.jason crump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chivs Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 (edited) Chivsy predictions for the semis - in point order J Crump T Rick N Pedersen G Hancock R Sullivan L Adams A Jonsson S Nicholls Final to consist of T Rick N Pedersen G Hancock R Sullivan with Hancock taking his 2nd Cardiff crown from Rickardsson, Pedersen Sullivan just missing the rostrum Edited May 31, 2005 by Chivs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strop Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Final will be 1. T Rickardsson 2. N Pedersen 3. G Hancock 4. S Nicholls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shale Eater Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 1 Tony Rickardsson 2 Jason Crump 3 Nicki Pedersen 4 Scott Nicholls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gav Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 1. T. Rickardsson 2. N. Pedersen 3. A. Jonsson 4. J. Crump I think you are well out with Gollob mate, maybe in poland later in the season. I like your comments on aj thats why we all like him at cov. when he is in full flow there arnt many riders that are as exciting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelloggs Posted June 2, 2005 Report Share Posted June 2, 2005 i would like to see in the final T Rickardson J Crump N Pedersen L Adams (go leigh!!!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beesboybert Posted June 2, 2005 Report Share Posted June 2, 2005 Berts prediction 1 N.Pedersen 2 S.Nicholls 3 J.Crump 4 G.Hancock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandits4eva Posted June 2, 2005 Report Share Posted June 2, 2005 My prediction for top 4 anyways in no order 1. david norris... i so hope he does it this year 2. scott nicholls...hitting form at a perfect time 3. tony rickardsson.. i dont think he'll miss the final this year anyways 4. jason crump the other 4 i expect to make the semi finals greg hancock nicki pedersen leigh adams andreas jonsson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beercellar Posted June 3, 2005 Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 Gregg Hancock Nicki Pedersen Tony Rickardson Dave Norris Go dave,do well,like matej zagar did last sat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardKennettRacing Posted June 3, 2005 Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 Think Floppy might be a spoiler in this one. But Tricky could win it, the way he is going! C'mon Nicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odds On Posted June 3, 2005 Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 here goes then, The winner will either be Nikki Pedersen or Crumpie,I know it's a sweeping statement and many will disagree but hey-ho!! Crumpie,consistantly gating well and being a man made track gating will be of paramount importance,plus in reality he knows he has to win it to put pressure on Trick. Pedersen,goes well round Cardiff and dare I say it looked quick and more on the same planet at the last GP!! Regarding Trick,the smaller,tricky,slightly unpredictable track will not be to his liking and will struggle to make the final,Cardiffs track needs more than just full gas!! Crump, N Pedersen, G Hancock, Any Brit!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted June 3, 2005 Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 (edited) Apart from wanting the Brits to go well, I think they will. I can see all three making the semi's along with Nicki, Greg, Hans, AJ, Tony. I think Jason and Leigh could miss out because the Brits will be lifted by the home crowd to give just that little bit extra that's been missing, the track will suit Greg's style, the Danes go well at Monmore which is almost an identical size/shape and being slick will suit their generally quick gating, AJ is flying and must translate that into a GP result of note soon, and Tony is a step ahead of everybody so far. Odds On - Tony has won there, although I agree it's not his fave track. Edited June 3, 2005 by 21st century heathen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerblues Posted June 3, 2005 Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 (edited) In no particular order, I think finals will be Crump Nicki P Nicholls Adams? Will be really pleased if all 3 Brits make finals. Be honest, how many of you disagree with that? Edited June 3, 2005 by tigerblues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanisnumber1 Posted June 3, 2005 Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 Final will be made up of: - Crump, Rickardsson, Nicki Pedersen, Nicholls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cov_bees_2005 Posted June 3, 2005 Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 mmmmmmmmm tough one this.................ill go for 1.jason crump 2.scott nicholls 3.tony rickardsson 4.leigh adams but i do hope that it will be 1.scotty 2.crump but i dont think it will happen but i will be happy with any brit in the final like everybody else im sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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