Brummie Boy Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 (edited) The way the 2006 championship is shaping up it looks very likely that there may only be one Brit in the 2007 GPs. The current top five look to be definitely through: Jason Crump Greg Hancock Leigh Adams Nicki Pedersen Andreas Jonsson Add the three qualifiers: Weislaw Jagus Rune Holta Hans Andersen With one wildcard per meeting that leaves 7 places to fill. With positions 6th to 11th in the current standings being very close between: Jaroslaw Hampel Matej Zagar Tomasz Gollob Bjarne Pedersen Scott Nicholls Antonio Lindback I would suggest that virtually all these are guaranteed a place next year, even if they fail to finish in the top eight. This leaves one pick for next year and I cannot see either Lee Richardson, Simon Stead, Mark Loram or Chris Harris getting the remaining spot over Niels Kristian-Iversen. This would mean that in next year's GP we would have : 4 Danes 3 Poles 2 Aussies 2 Swedes 1 Norwegian 1 American 1 Slovenian 1 Brit With Iversen probably getting that last pick it makes the Danes, with four riders, look a little over represented. However, given Iversen's connections with Reading I would be astounded if he got overlooked. When was the last time GB only had one rider in the World Championships? Edited August 27, 2006 by Brummie Boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 If we're not good enough to qualify we're not good enough, should make our riders more determined to get there in 2008 perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Probably reflects the various countries strengths at the mo.But i very much doubt NKI will be there next year,despite having powerful support.Also think he has proved the doubters wrong and he hasn't struggled like Pepe.If it is given to a Brit( and i would rather Stead or Harris),i hope that they can at least match his performance and maybe really surprise most like Zagar has Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PanthersChamp06 Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Niels is prooving his worth for that last place. His first ever meeting at Prague last night and it went well. Time is on his side though so he can afford to miss out on a season of GP's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bee Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Give it to the Mighty Harris. His showing last week in Vetlanda is worthy of a pick and he soundly beat the likes of Pepe, Ryan, NKI etc...... Harris for GP 2007!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Jasper Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 I cant see the Danes getting 4 people in.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweet_lil_mystery Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 I cant see the Danes getting 4 people in.... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Same, there's no way they'll have four! Nicki and Hans are in there already, so if Bjarne doesn't make the top eight, then they'll give him a wildcard and leave Niels out I reckon. Tough for Niels, but I think four Danes is way too many. I think wildcard-wise it'll maybe be: Bjarne (if he doesnt make the top eight) Antonio (ditto) Scott (ditto) And then another Swede or another Brit - most likely Peter Karlsson or Mark Loram, Chris Harris? I can't say Lee getting another wildcard personally.. Of course that's providing that the likes of Gollob and Hampel don't make the top eight (actually nine, cos of Hans).. Hmm.. kinda confusing isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Niels is prooving his worth for that last place. His first ever meeting at Prague last night and it went well. Time is on his side though so he can afford to miss out on a season of GP's. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes - Crump dropped out of the GPs after his first season, and it hardly put an end to his GP career I think he may miss out because there are already three Danes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Butler Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Maybe 1.5 British contestants. Jason Crump was born in Bristol, England when his father, Phil, was riding for a an English team. He's also based in the Northampton area. Maybe the British speedway authorities could claim a 50% interest in him on the basis that half a loaf is better than no bread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biddows Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Maybe 1.5 British contestants. Jason Crump was born in Bristol, England when his father, Phil, was riding for a an English team. He's also based in the Northampton area. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jason Crump was born in Bristol?? I had no idea... You'd have thought Millard would have mentioned that at some point. Realistically, there will probably be two British entrants for the event next year, since Cardiff is the flagship GP and BSI will want a good turnout. If it were an event between the top 16 riders in the world, there would definitely be only one Brit, but I think we've all agreed that BSI and the FIM are more interested in creating a sellable product than a pure competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masked_rooster Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 one thing for sure it wont be Richardson. scott should make the top 8. i also assume Rickardsson and Anderssen are still listed in the leader board.so there is two you can take out of the equasion. its one of three for me to make up the british interest.Loram,Stead,Harris.i personaly think they will opt for Stead as i think he might have had more GP runs than Harris and BSI do seem to be taking the youth policy which leaves Loram out in the cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garf Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 I cant see the Danes getting 4 people in.... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You might be right here! Too much politics and economy in the GP circus. It does not matter if Denmark had 5 riders in the top 10 in all leagues, we will still only get 3 maybe 4 (if lucky) spots in the circus. You can hardly call the GP's for World championship, as not all the participants has to go through a qualifyer. So in fact it is most likely that some good racers is left out of the circus and some "toddlers" have got the pass. Not quite fair, but the economy and politic decides who are going to be in and who is left out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Several of us predicted this scenario months ago (including Subedei and Kevin M.) It's a symptom of the lack of time, effort and investment put in by our clubs and the BSPA to ensure that our talented riders are boosted through the system rapidly, get the right support and sponsorship, and have the ambition and professionalism to go all the way. We have just as many decent young riders as any other country, but we don't help them. If anything, we offer more support to young Poles, Swedes, Danes and Aussies than to our own. This cannot go on! In short, it won't be fixed in 5 minutes, nor indeed a couple of years. If this is a wake-up call I hope somebody in the halls of power will realise that unless something is done about it, it's not impossible that we could end up with no riders. Time to make sure our youngsters achieve their potential and don't get trapped in the top end of PL or the lower reaches of EL. Let's start by finding money and sponsorship while earmarking the riders who need to be in the next generation GP circus - Stead, Kennett, Bridger, Auty, whoever it happens to be - and making darn sure they get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Butler Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 (edited) Jason Crump was born in Bristol?? I had no idea... You'd have thought Millard would have mentioned that at some point. Realistically, there will probably be two British entrants for the event next year, since Cardiff is the flagship GP and BSI will want a good turnout. If it were an event between the top 16 riders in the world, there would definitely be only one Brit, but I think we've all agreed that BSI and the FIM are more interested in creating a sellable product than a pure competition. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Fortunately, Biddows, Millard apparently didn't think to do so. He would probably have had Jason born 100% in Brisbane which would have been a shock to Mrs [Pat?] Crump who, I assure you, was in Bristol at the time. Edited August 27, 2006 by Ludwig_ron_BertHoven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheekee Raylee Monkee Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Interested to read the debate. Surely the key question is who are the best 15 riders in the world rather than the arbitrary numbers game about how many from each nation? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 i think if we have scott only next year then it will only be for aone year, surely after that harris and stead should get the chance, but to be fair harris would not look out of place in there next year. then we have quite a few to look forward to but thats a few years away, eddie kennett for one seen him quite a few times and he as a good attitude to speedway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerblues Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Rune Holta1 Norwegian <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Wasn't he Polish last year Anyway, if and when Scott takes his place in the remaining 2 rounds he should(if fully fit)score the required points to take him into the top 8, if not he should get a wildcard...somehow I can't see only 1 Brit being included and if there is 2 I'd like to think Lee has had his chances....Bomber Harris for the 2007 GPs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Butler Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Interested to read the debate. Surely the key question is who are the best 15 riders in the world rather than the arbitrary numbers game about how many from each nation? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> What a quaint, old-fashioned and superb idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Butler Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 Wasn't he Polish last year Anyway, if and when Scott takes his place in the remaining 2 rounds he should(if fully fit)score the required points to take him into the top 8, if not he should get a wildcard...somehow I can't see only 1 Brit being included and if there is 2 I'd like to think Lee has had his chances....Bomber Harris for the 2007 GPs. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Fudge, Yes, Rune Holta rode on a Polish licence last year. I read recently that he had fallen out with the Polish authorities - or they with him - so now he's again riding under his true nationality. Hope evrything is OK with you, Ron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted August 27, 2006 Report Share Posted August 27, 2006 (edited) Several people on this forum were insisting he'd taken Polish nationality rather than just riding on a Polish licence. If this were true, he'd be a dual national and could therefore switch between authorities at will - in theory at least. Don't know whether that makes the slightest difference from a speedway perspective. Edited August 27, 2006 by AndyM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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