Polish World Champion?

[Mateusz]

I pretty much agree with Frigbo there, but I'll word it differently 

 

Polish riders tend to reach their best level very early in their careers. Most drop back quite quickly, some stay at that level. It's strange !

I guess it's because they are pushed so hard by their clubs/managers at home. As well as the fact that the modern Polish generation is a very determined one.

 

I think that while there is still a big variety of tracks in the GP series, we won't be seeing a Polish Individual World Champion yet.

I would say the best way for a Polish rider to advance at a good rate over all track types would be to ride in the Polish and British Leagues only, over at least 5 years. Swedish tracks are quite neutral and don't lend themselves to improving rider techniques.

If a really good Polish kid took on the British Premier League for 2 seasons, then the Elite (or whatever our future set-up is) for 3 seasons...while riding in the top league at home, then Poland might just get the Champion they are waiting for...and richly deserve 

 

That's my opinion anyway...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Couldn't agree more.

 

Back to the topic, at this moment I think it's KK who's gonna be Polish number one after all.. But I'm not his fan at all and I'm not sure if I'd be happy with his future successes in GP. Strange, as I'm quite patriotic but mostly for the reasons mentioned above I can't stand KK sometimes.

I grew up on Gollob's successes, started getting into speedway when he was on top - late 90s. And I know there will be never any comparison between joy I feel when Gollob wins and when KK may win. No way it can taste the same.

Really would like to see Jarek Hampel achieve something. He's not a Bydgoszcz bloke like Gollob who I could be mad about for years but he is a very clever and nice guy and I wish him all the best.

[Lezaw]

Well, for sure it would be grand if Jarek could get to the top 4, 5 in SGP in future, but this whole thread gives me some thoughts; namely I am bit afraid whether it is not that way that you have to be some sort of "animal" if you want to reach the top in speedway? I took a glimpse on last few years final SGP standings and in general only extremely focused and determined riders won the whole series for the couple of recent years. Maybe some dudes are just to soft to be number one. Like Nicki said this year - he wanted to be the champ and simply did all he could to gain the top. Like Jason last year and Tony 2 years before. All of them take (or took) no prisoners during "their" seasons. In Poland there is common opinion that e.g. Leigh Adams is not the one to get the title as he simply rides to gently. So does Jarek. KK on the other hand rides hard and he seems to be extremely focused and determined. But the way he does lot of things leaves lot to be desired.

 

And to the question about Polish league... Well everyone knows that the preasure in Poland is higher and (many of) supporters do not accept defeats. Well, is this right? It gives an extra emotions for sure. :]

[superguest]

Look at those footages and judge yourselves. Is that a proper behaviour?

 

Czestochowa - Leszno 22.07.2007 http://nieznajomy70.wrzuta.pl/film/s72F6eLSi7/

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Just out of interest was KK excluded from that heat?

[Lezaw]

Just out of interest was KK excluded from that heat?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nope... Ref said it was Greg's fault. I have no idea what Greg did wrong. KK is the one who goes on the outside and makes their bikes clash. Greg was chasing from behind but still on the same path. KK left no room. That is my view.

[Hazzman]

KK on the other hand rides hard and he seems to be extremely focused and determined. But the way he does lot of things leaves lot to be desired.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Something Cegleski recently mentioned? To be a world champion, you can't be an angel on a bike.

[SCOOBYDO]

Nope... Ref said it was Greg's fault. I have no idea what Greg did wrong. KK is the one who goes on the outside and makes their bikes clash. Greg was chasing from behind but still on the same path. KK left no room. That is my view.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I agree, the top riders do tend to give each other enough room to make a pass. It's called mutual respect !!

 

The door was closed on Greg as he was walking through it !!!

[TwoMinuteWarning]

I am bit afraid whether it is not that way that you have to be some sort of "animal" if you want to reach the top in speedway?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well, I think this is mostly right, but there is always one champion to disprove the theory - Mark Loram is a "nice guy", and also one of the greatest "racers" I have ever seen.

 

So you do not HAVE to be an animal to win!

[Lezaw]

Well, I think this is mostly right, but there is always one champion to disprove the theory - Mark Loram is a "nice guy", and also one of the greatest "racers" I have ever seen. 

 

So you do not HAVE to be an animal to win!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Right, right, I've been even thinking about Mark while writing my words, but I was trying to say that I feel like few things have changed since 2003, 2004. Since that time we have some sort or dominators-era. You know what I mean. Somehow I can't imagine fellow like Mark or Greg to be World Champ again. Not because they have no skills or something, they do! But there is something before few last seasons that people can, hm, feel that one or another rider will get the trophy. Determination? Atmosphere of willingness? I don't know how to explain that. Though it's not possible, it was not some BIG surprise that Nicki beats everyone up this season. He send a warning to others before this season - "look, I want to be World Champ again, I take no prisoners". Yo get me? So did Jason last year, and before Tony did not have to say that, it was obvious as he was on his "final lap", right? Look at Jason, even though he still rocks on he is a half of last-year-Jason. I presume that next year Nicki will do the same. So in my opinion to be World Champion you have to (maybe not be a beast, as I said before) but extra-focused and determined, and sometimes act like an animal. Well until it is on track I can understand it, but I will never accept acting like KK did last time. This is simply showing lack of respect to your rivals. Damn, forget word "rivals", lack of respect to your mates or team-mates (like with Jagus - Smederna). Why to do that?

 

I have my own list of favourite riders who did not become World Champion, maybe because of their atitude or lack of ability to "close the door" and slam your rival to the fence just to be 1st on finish line. I say, maybe. Anyway, some will say that there is Leigh Adams on that list... Well maybe, don't take a chance away from Leigh, he is still riding and fighting. On my list there is Tommy Knudsen, Wroclaw legend.

 

As I am thinking about it, I catch myself on that thought that I really don't want (need) to have Pole as a Champ. I wish I had one in the TOP10 but really charismatic and fair riding bloke. Somebody could give Adam Skornicki a Wild Card?

[Steve Turner]

Great post Lezaw

 

Tommy Knudsen, Wroclaw legend.

And Coventry legend, and my favourite rider ever. And what a gentleman indeed the best.

 

 

As I am thinking about it, I catch myself on that thought that I really don't want (need) to have Pole as a Champ. I wish I had one in the TOP10 but really charismatic and fair riding bloke. Somebody could give Adam Skornicki a Wild Card?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can see you're a charismatic and fair man yourself ! Thanks for making me smile

[Liverstam]

This is simply showing lack of respect to your rivals. Damn, forget word "rivals", lack of respect to your mates or team-mates (like with Jagus - Smederna). Why to do that?

 

So what did KK do to Jagus? I tried to quote your earlier post Lezaw but failed. You wrote something about "fail" which I couldn't quite grasp. Please explain

[Lezaw]

I can see you're a charismatic and fair man yourself ! Thanks for making me smile

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you very much! I'm glad that someone understand my "english struggle" at all.

 

So what did KK do to Jagus? I tried to quote your earlier post Lezaw but failed. You wrote something about "fail" which I couldn't quite grasp.  Please explain 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, Jagoda (as Poles call Jagus due to his second name - "jagoda" means "berry" ) scored maximum that day and Torun won on away in Leszno. KK scored relatively poor that day and came 4th in 15 ht, which Jagus won. After this heat KK came by and took Jagus front wheel with his hook (right?). Anyway Jagus fell down and KK rode away like nothing happened. Take a look at the movie I linked on 1st page of this thread.

 

Regards!

[Ghostwalker]

Thank you very much! I'm glad that someone understand my "english struggle" at all.

Well, Jagoda (as Poles call Jagus due to his second name - "jagoda" means "berry" ) scored maximum that day and Torun won on away in Leszno. KK scored relatively poor that day and came 4th in 15 ht, which Jagus won. After this heat KK came by and took Jagus front wheel with his hook (right?). Anyway Jagus fell down and KK rode away like nothing happened. Take a look at the movie I linked on 1st page of this thread.

 

Regards!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

awful but they did ride together last Tuesday with no problem in heat 14 where they did a very nice 5-1 team ride against Adams.

[Trees]

Lezaw - in the 2nd race u show of Kasprzak and Hancock it looks to me as if Kasprzak was just riding his line and Hancock came round the outside and got caught up with Kasprzak ..................

 

Couldn't view the first video, something to do with copyright ...............

[Hazzman]

Changing the subject slightly, why isn't KK in tonight's Polish Individual Championships?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

He had a bit of a baby's strop in the Semi-Final.

 

Scored 1 point.

 

First ride - Last

Second ride - Engine Failure

Third ride - 1 pt

 

Withdrew bemoaning his motors.

[Liverstam]

Thank you very much! I'm glad that someone understand my "english struggle" at all.

Well, Jagoda (as Poles call Jagus due to his second name - "jagoda" means "berry" ) scored maximum that day and Torun won on away in Leszno. KK scored relatively poor that day and came 4th in 15 ht, which Jagus won. After this heat KK came by and took Jagus front wheel with his hook (right?). Anyway Jagus fell down and KK rode away like nothing happened. Take a look at the movie I linked on 1st page of this thread.

 

Regards!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thank you Lezaw, very good account. But the video you linked seems to have been withdrawn from youtube.

[Lezaw]

I will find another one and post an URL here. No worries.

[Subedei]

Well, I think this is mostly right, but there is always one champion to disprove the theory - Mark Loram is a "nice guy", and also one of the greatest "racers" I have ever seen. 

 

So you do not HAVE to be an animal to win!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

It could, of course, be pointed out that Mark Loram didn't win a single GP the year he became champion - consistency did it for him, not winning.

[Lezaw]

Polish fans are just shocked. After being punished with a (relatively small) fine for unfair behaviour KK was awarded with Wild Card for Polish GP round in Bydgoszcz... What a lack of costistency...

[Steve Turner]

It doesn't matter which country you watch your speedway in, Lezaw...the sport is organized in a strange way !

Speedway is not unique in that way though...many sports are the same.

 

In this case, I guess it is because of his performance in the SWC...and the PZM recognize that right now, Krzysztof is the best hope for Polish speedway.

[Ghostwalker]

Polish fans are just shocked. After being punished with a (relatively small) fine for unfair behaviour KK was awarded with Wild Card for Polish GP round in Bydgoszcz... What a lack of costistency...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

well i would guess that PZM thinks that KK have gotten his penalty with the fine and that they consider to be the one who deserves the WC the most after his ride in the SWC final. where he was the best scoring polish rider.