Gb Team Announced.

[Steve Shovlar]

Todays Echo.

 

Neil confident in Ed’s ability

By Phil Chard

 

PIRATES team manager Neil Middleditch believes Edward Kennett will "lift his game" for the World Team Cup.

 

The 20-year-old Poole Castle Cover rider will make his debut in the competition at Coventry on July 16 when Team GB host Sweden, the United States and Russia.

 

Kennett has already lifted the British Under-21 title, finished fourth in the senior championship and reached the finals of the individual and team junior events this year.

 

Now Middleditch, who is also manager of Team GB, believes Kennett can shine again in the cut-throat environment of World Cup competition.

 

Kennett is one of four riders "who picked themselves", the others being captain Scott Nicholls, new British Grand Prix champion Chris Harris and the experienced Lee Richardson.

 

Simon Stead and reserve David Howe make up the side.

 

Middleditch said: "Ed's average (of 7.32) in the Elite League actually belies how good he is.

 

"He is in terrific form. He sometimes loses points by trying too hard. But I think he will lift his game for the World Cup.

 

"To be honest, I think the top four riders pick themselves, and he is one of them.

 

"Simon, David and Olly Allen, who is a Coventry rider, also came into the equation and it was Simon and David who got the nod, with David at reserve.

 

"Ed, on his current form, is like Bomber. He is just making progress all the time."

 

Kennett has appeared for Team GB before, but not in the red-hot amphitheatre of speedway's top team event.

 

Middleditch said: "I've told Ed he has to enjoy the experience and just try to treat it as any other meeting, like Bomber does in the GPs.

 

"Ed was very pleased when I told him. He was overjoyed and can hardly wait for the World Cup to get started.

 

"It is just reward for the way he has stepped up this year.

 

"Some people might say I'm being biased picking him because I'm at Poole, but that isn't the case because he has gone to other tracks and beaten the best as well."

 

Harris, meanwhile, is still celebrating his success at Cardiff on Saturday when he lifted his first GP title in only his sixth meeting.

 

Only seven other riders have won a GP round after making less appearances in the competition since its inception in 1995.

 

They are Tomasz Gollob, who won at the first attempt, Billy Hamill (two), Martin Dugard (two), Tommy Knudsen (two), Brian Andersen (four), Jason Crump (five) and Hans Nielsen (five).

 

Bomber rode once as a wild card in the Millennium Stadium in 2003, prior to his full debut GP campaign this season.

[BritPete]

I think Middlo has got it right. It would be sheer folly to leave Kennett out because of one poor meeting at Coventry, he is after all the best British prospect. Besides, Lee R. has had two poor meetings here this season, yet no one is saying he should not be in the team. (yet)

 

 

David Howe scored seven here for Wolverhampton but when you take a close look at his races, he only beat Janniro, Smolinski and a very poor Richardson...twice! Allen was leading him until he fell too! ( I'm quoting live updates here)

 

Howe has been around for years, and he has had plenty of chances. I firmly believe that he is going nowhere at this level. He is at reserve though, so he may get yet another chance.

 

 

Stead is having a poor season, but like Richardson he is capable of performing well at this level.

 

Bring it on!

Edited July 3, 2007 by BritPete

[orion]

The team about right i think the big worry is stead who has been hopeless this year but has had his best meetings at brandon .

 

As for howe he been found out at the gp and the gp round and can't cut the mustard at this level.

 

 

Also the five in the team at the moment would be the five who would ride in poland if we got into the final .

 

I do think thou that allen on his home track should have been put in at reserve.

Edited July 3, 2007 by orion

[Joester]

Simple if Stead or Kennett start off badly - after two rides - bring in Howe as reserve.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think it's only for injuries and tape touching that reserves can come in for, in the World Cup, not general replacements. I'm not 100% sure, but that's what I've heard.

[Sir Jasper]

Personally that is the team I would have gone for, with Kennet getting the nod as he is younger

[Hazzman]

I think it's only for injuries and tape touching that reserves can come in for, in the World Cup, not general replacements. I'm not 100% sure, but that's what I've heard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I read that's not the case.

 

The reserve come in for anybody at anytime - but once he takes one rider's ride, he has all of that riders' rides.

 

People back in Winter were suggestion the situation of having a topline rider at reserve ready to come in for one rider once he's had his ride against the very top or very worst riders.

[SCB]

Howe has been around for years, and he has  had plenty of chances.

 

Stead is having a poor season, but like Richardson he is capable of performing well at this level.

Well Stead and Howe have been around the same amount of time, both were members of the 1997-98 Peterborough CL and PL wonder teams. It was only last season that Steady has ever had a better season than David too.

 

I can accept Olly not riding, I can see the thikning there, he's an on-form reserve and sometimes an out of form heatleader coming good on the day is the way to go but leaving Howe in reserve is an oddity IMO, better season than Stead, Kennett and Richardson, currently on much better form that Stead and just ahead of Kennett (Rico is currently on much better form).

 

I'll be there on the day, they'll all get my support but I'm just worried that Middlo has already started getting things wrong.

[BritPete]

Yes, but Stead has done ok riding for team GB in the past, Howe proved recently at Cardiff that he is not good enough at the top level. Although it's a gamble, Stead had to get the nod over Howe.

[iris123]

they'll all get my support but I'm just worried that Middlo has already started getting things wrong.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just remember no matter what happens.........he is a great bloke.All the riders love him.If you think you can do better...... I'm sure they are phrases we will hear from certain forumites soon enough.

Let's hope that Bombers win in the GP inspires the whole team.If one or two of them can get out and win the first couple of heats that should hopefully get everyone motivated

[SCB]

Just remember no matter what happens.........he is a great bloke.All the riders love him.If you think you can do better......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I have justified my thinking here, so one of two things will happen, Middlo is right and I'm pleased to be wrong, or he's wrong and then people cannot claim hindsight is a wonderful thing

[leanne1706]

Yes, but Stead has done ok riding for team GB in the past, Howe proved recently at Cardiff that he is not good enough  at the top level. Although it's a gamble, Stead had to get the nod over Howe.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Some have said you can't judge Ed by his one poor meeting at Coventry, and in the same instance you can't judge David by his performance on Saturday night. I don't think he disgraced himself by any means... he didn't finish last, he picked up some points, and he had a couple of thrilling and skillful rides.

 

I'm glad he's at least at reserve after his poor form last season, but going by this season I do believe he should have been thought of ahead of either Ed, who I think needs another year or so before he is considered for the national stage; or Steady, who is only just returning from injury.

[SCB]

Ed had one poor meeting at Coventry? No, try never had a good one and had about 8-10 poor meetings! He doesn't ride Coventry well, he never has.

[BritPete]

I think the sad fact here is that we do not have five solid riders at the moment. That's why we are on here bickering about which rider is the the best of the lower order ones.

 

I still believe that Middlo has got it right though, and who knows, this may kick start the season for Simon Stead. If not, then David Howe will get his chance.

 

All we can do is to get behind them and hope they can achieve something.

[Steve Shovlar]

Ed had one poor meeting at Coventry?  No, try never had a good one and had about 8-10 poor meetings!  He doesn't ride Coventry well, he never has.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well Eddie will be riding at Brandon next Monday weather permitting, so we will see how he will do. It will also be good practice for the WTC.

 

Personally I would put Eddie above both Stead and Howe for a place.

[tigerblues]

Not a bad side, I think I'd have put Olly Allen in myself and Kennett at reserve and then swapped them round if we get into the race off or final.. and then left out one of Stead and Richardson but Middlo's got the right idea IMO.

[SCB]

Well Eddie will be riding at Brandon next Monday weather permitting, so we will see how he will do. It will also be good practice for the WTC.

 

Personally I would put Eddie above both Stead and Howe for a place.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Believe me when I say I will be really pleased if Ed scores well next week, will be interesting to see what happens should he only score the usual 3 though won't it? Especially if Olly score well Hopefully and 30 point Bees win with 15 points for Ed and me admitting that Middlo has finally become a speedway genius.

 

I'd have Ed in the 1-5 at just about any other track though.

 

 

Also, on thinking about it a bit more, Middlo may be onto something, put the risky guys in the 1-5 and the more solid, reliable, unlikely to win a heat but unlikely to come last rider in reserve, that way, if the gamble pays off, great, if it doesn't, you have the insurance back in reserve.

[21st century heathen]

I'm with SCB on this one. You have to take a 'horses for course' approach. So let's look at the riders in question.

 

Edward - I've never seen him do anything of note at Coventry, and I've been going every week for the last 3 years. Having a fantastic season and I'd name him in the 1-5 just about anywhere...except Brandon. I hope he and Middlo prove me wrong.

 

Simon - Traditionally rides Brandon very well indeed. However, for the last year or so his ability to pass has gone AWOL. He only ever does well in the early heats at Brandon now. He can beat Nicholls in heat one, but goes missing later in the meeting as it slickens off. Having had a few knocks this season he is a huge risk.

 

Olly - Has been excellent value at Brandon for over a year now. Dropped to reserve due to a slightly dodgy start with 3 big knocks in quick succession, along with the flying start that Morten made to the season. Has shaken off the knocks now, and is one of the few Brits that can pop out the start. No doubt he'd get in everyone's way and pick up points for us.

 

David - Another that is having a cracking season. I certainly wouldn't name him just about anywhere, as I would with Ed. However, David not only has had a good score at Brandon this season but he has a good career record at Brandon. He's always been a threat there, or at least generally for a number of years (don't need some sado finding a crap score).

 

Without working out the stats exactly I'm sure that Olly and David have a better record at Brandon, with the current knocks and poor form counting heavily against Simon.

 

I sincerely hope I'm wrong about Ed, and I'll support him as much as I will any other Brit that wears the Union Flag and gives his all. The same could be said for Lee. He's not got a great away record, nor has he for a while. He's a very capable rider, and there's no reason that he can't turn it on at Brandon.

 

It's almost time to dust off the British avatar. C'mon boys, do us proud.

[stevebrum]

Scott Nicholls©

Chris Harris

Edward Kennett

Lee Richardson

Simon Stead

 

Reserve-David Howe

 

Good selection by Middlo. Howe has proved what everyone thought, that he's not upto it after his performances in the GP qualifier and at Cardiff where he was outclassed.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

typical of the POOLE/GB manager. What biased rubbish.

Howe is 3rd best brit - so he has earned a full call up.

Have to disagree - he was NOT outclassed at Cardiff! He didnt finish last overall and he past riders and tried in 3 races. Thats NOT outclassed Doubt stead OR kennett would have acored much more as it happens.

Kennett is not ready yet - however i agree he should get a chance.

But as 4th or 5th choice.

WHY OH WHY is lere richardson in?

its no wonder we never get anywhere if we continue to use those who have proved they cant cut it on the big stage.

YES YES i know - the WTC seems to be richos crowning glory. That surely is the only reason he is in.

I believe thats a backward step to take.

Its the side i expected Middlo would pick - but for him to say Kennett `picked himself1 - funny , id say the same thing about howe

[Steve Shovlar]

Steve it's down to potential, and Eddie has it in bucketloads.

 

Listen I am not sticking up for him because he is currently riding for Poole. He is a budgie asset and may well be back there in 2008. Would I still say the same if he was riding for Eastbourne? YES! he has what it takes to be a star on the world stage, and we have watched him from a reserve rider to heat leader so far this year.

 

Every week he has improved and is the total package in the making.

 

DH has had an excellent year. No doubt about it. personally I would have considered him over Stead, who seems to be going backwards. Possibly we will see Stead have a couple fo rides and if he fails, DH will then come in.

 

SCB and a few others have said that Eddie has been poor around Brandon, but he will get it sussed and do well sooner rather than later. Hopefully next Monday.

[pawnbroker]

typical of the POOLE/GB manager. What biased rubbish.

Howe is 3rd best brit - so he has earned a full call up.

Have to disagree - he was NOT outclassed at Cardiff! He didnt finish last overall and he past riders and tried in 3 races. Thats NOT outclassed  Doubt stead OR kennett would have acored much more as it happens.

Kennett is not ready yet - however i agree he should get a chance.

But as 4th or 5th choice.

WHY OH WHY is lere richardson in?

its no wonder we never get anywhere if we continue to use those who have proved they cant cut it on the big stage.

YES YES i know - the WTC seems to be richos crowning glory. That surely is the only reason he is in.

I believe thats a backward step to take.

Its the side i expected Middlo would pick - but for him to say Kennett `picked himself1 - funny , id say the same thing about howe  

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Cut it on the big stage richardson record in world cups is better than any other brit also he came 2nd and 3rd in a gp is world under 21 champ and a elrc winner .

 

What has howe done on the big stage ? score 4 in a gp only because the other riders hit some ruts and got knock by pl riders in gp round last weekend .