Kennett No To Gp Chance

[Steve Shovlar]

Just read that Eddie Kennett has decided that he will not do the GP qualifying round he qualified for by finishing 4th in the British Final. A suprise decision but he wants to concentrate on his league form and the U21 qualifier.

 

Todays Echo.

 

TEAM Great Britain boss Neil Middleditch believes Edward Kennett is a "strong contender" to lift the World Under-21 title.

 

Middleditch, who also team manages Pirates, has made his thoughts known during the build up to the Poole Castle Cover rider's semi-final appearance at Vojens, Denmark, tonight (8pm).

 

Kennett is aiming for a top eight performance to book his place in the final at Ostrow, Poland, on September 9.

 

He is also bidding to emulate Ron Preston (1979), Jason Crump (1995), Lee Richardson (1999) and Krzysztof Kasprzak (2005), who all won the crown while Poole riders.

 

Middleditch said: "On current form, Ed would have to be one of the favourites to win it.

 

"He has been riding extremely well in Britain, Poland and all over the place this year. He is really just improving as the weeks go on.

 

"Ed is a great racer. He can trap but when he doesn't he just keeps trying and pulling off great passes.

 

"I think he has made a lot of senior riders in the Elite League sit up and take notice of him.

 

"That's why I think he can win the overall thing. He is the in-form rider at the moment and I don't see any reason why he can't.

 

"There are other good riders out there but he will certainly be one of the favourites."

 

Middleditch, however, has admitted he found it "a little bit surprising" that Kennett had decided not to take part in the 2008 Grand Prix qualifiers this year.

 

Poole's team manager added: "It was every riders' dream to reach the old one-off World Final and these days I think it is to make the GP series.

 

"But Ed just wants to concentrate on the Under-21s this year and if that is what he wants to do, I'll go along with that, although I did speak to him about it at Wolverhampton after the British Final.

 

"He is young and has got plenty of time on his side."

 

Looking ahead to the Speedway World Cup next month, Middleditch would not be drawn on where Kennett stood in his plans for a debut in the competition.

 

However, the national team boss said: "He has put himself in a position to be in my top six.

 

"I will leave my final decision as late as possible to make sure I pick the right riders."

 

Team GB line up against Sweden, United States and Russia at Coventry in Event Two on July 16.

 

Pirates captain Bjarne Pedersen has been named in Denmark's team who will defend the cup he helped them win last year.

 

Denmark: B Pedersen, H Andersen, J B Jensen, K Bjerre, N Pedersen, N K Iversen.

 

The Danes go up against Australia, Poland and Finland in Event One at Vojens on July 14.

 

Poland's 12-man squad is T Gollob, R Holta, W Jagus, K Zabik, A Miedzinski, J Hampel, D Balinski, K Kasprzak, P Protasiewicz, G Walasek, T Chrzanowski, S Ulamek.

[rhidassa]

At least he seems to be focused, and knows what he wants to achieve, I guess.

Bit of a shame he wont try qualifying for next year, but then, he's got plenty of time left to attempt to claim a place in the GP's.

 

Hopefully he'll do well in the U21 tonight, and make it to the final.

[Trees]

He's got many years ahead of him when he'll have the necessary experience to have a serious challenge at becoming world champion, let alone support and sponsorship in place, given that the lower order riders are supposedly losing money by doing the series!

[Chris]

Year too early for him in the GP qualifiers. Another years experience for him and he can give it a proper go in 2008.

 

Should go close in the under 21 final this season, but can't see him winning it on a Polish track as he doesn't have enough experience on them yet. Can't see past Zabik or Holder.

[salty]

Year too early for him in the GP qualifiers. Another years experience for him and he can give it a proper go in 2008.

 

Should go close in the under 21 final this season, but can't see him winning it on a Polish track as he doesn't have enough experience on them yet. Can't see past Zabik or Holder.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Surely having a go in the GP qualifiers would give him the chance to broaden his experience of riding on foreign tracks! Really can't see what harm it would have done him to have a go this year.

[iris123]

Must say,first time i have seen Ed yesterday and was very impressed.He looks like he has the makings of a complete all round rider.Greased lightening out of the gate,but he was also battling away when Kenneth Hansen passed him.Some of the worlds top junior riders were left way behind him.If he can do that on a 300m track can't see why he shouldn't do the same on a Polish track.I guess a lot will depend on getting the set-up perfect for the first heat.You can't afford to get caught out and struggle, or get excluded

[SCB]

So he's not good enough for the GP qualifier by his own admission, he should be told he's not good enough for the SWC either!!

[Hazzman]

Must say,first time i have seen Ed yesterday and was very impressed.He looks like he has the makings of a complete all round rider.Greased lightening out of the gate,but he was also battling away when Kenneth Hansen passed him.Some of the worlds top junior riders were left way behind him.If he can do that on a 300m track can't see why he shouldn't do the same on a Polish track.I guess a lot will depend on getting the set-up perfect for the first heat.You can't afford to get caught out and struggle, or get excluded

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I seen the new 'Kennett' for the first time at Wolves in British Final and must agree. He has the right mix that he can gate and race. Very rare to see a Brit so good at gating.