Individual Speedway Wc Qr 4 Lonigo (italy) 21th June 2008

[Anders]

Whats the format on this how many more rounds and when are they before we know who and how many are actually in the GP'S next year?

 

The four quarterfinals have now been held. The semifinals runs on July 5th in Terenzano (Italy) and Motala (Sweden), 8+1 riders qualifies from each semifinal to the final held in Zielona Gora on September 14th. The top three from Zielona Gora advances to the 2009 Grand Prix.

 

Pretty sure the powers that be will offer him a permanent wild card anyway. No one else out there with the ability and skill to compete with the top boys and they would give a place to Noddy every time over has beens Ferjan, Lung and Sullivan.

 

God, I'm stupid to catch this bait, but I can't help myself...

 

No one else out there, please don't tell Emil Sajfutdinov.

 

Calling a 25 year old (Ljung) a "has been" is a bit harsh, he may never be a Grand Prix regular but he is a solid league rider with a WTC gold medal in the bag. Just because riders doesn't ride, or did not do well in previous seasons in the British league, it doesn't mean they are "has beens". Lubos Tomicek has done well as a reserve replacement in this year's Grand Prix but I'm sure the three riders mentioned could have done equally well as reserve replacements.

[pugwash]

Well done Matej.

Back in the GP and back in the Pirates lineup will do me fine.

What's his average these days? He's certainly better round Winborne Rd than Watto, Freddie, Skornicki, Zorro and DD.

 

[pedropete]

Terrible night for Chris Holder with two EF's and an exclusion. Looks like it all went wrong in the space of 5 rides. The two he finshed gathered 5 points so when the bike worked he was fine.

 

Pretty sure the powers that be will offer him a permanent wild card anyway. No one else out there with the ability and skill to compete with the top boys and they would give a place to Noddy every time over has beens Ferjan, Lung and Sullivan.

 

Interestingly he did say in yesterdays paper he didn't have the backing to compete at GP level and needed much more sponsorship to get what was needed in place.

 

He won't get a place if Crump, Adams and Sullivan are in it. He is good in a poor Elite League Steve, but he is not a top rider in Sweden or Poland yet. He will be though.

[pugwash]

I agree, they wont run with 4 Aussies. If Ryan misses out then they probably will wildcard Noddy in.

[flagrag]

I went to the meeting last night and it was good such a fast track with quite a bit of passing. I must say im no Poole fan but Chris Holder was the most unlucky rider in his 1st race got excluded for nothing was nowhere near the other rider and then his engine failures were while leading by almost half a straight he was very annoyed by this and I did notice that he was using his Polish bikes and Mechanics I wonder if that had anything to do with EF's as he had a right go at his mechanics after 2nd failure.

 

The brits took quite a while to get the hang of the track and Steady didnt look fast enough on his 1st bike I got some very strange looks when cheering for brits in run off against Carpenese who actually impressed me but it was on his home track so should have been good.

 

I think the right man won in Sullivan as he looked the best rider on the night as Ferjan was just gating as per usual

[Trees]

just goes to show he still has a massive way to go to prove himself yet.

clearly not to GP standard standard yet as this was a well watered down qualification round.

I'd say it was bad luck that spoilt his chances.

[Steve Shovlar]

I went to the meeting last night and it was good such a fast track with quite a bit of passing. I must say im no Poole fan but Chris Holder was the most unlucky rider in his 1st race got excluded for nothing was nowhere near the other rider and then his engine failures were while leading by almost half a straight he was very annoyed by this and I did notice that he was using his Polish bikes and Mechanics I wonder if that had anything to do with EF's as he had a right go at his mechanics after 2nd failure.

 

The brits took quite a while to get the hang of the track and Steady didnt look fast enough on his 1st bike I got some very strange looks when cheering for brits in run off against Carpenese who actually impressed me but it was on his home track so should have been good.

 

I think the right man won in Sullivan as he looked the best rider on the night as Ferjan was just gating as per usual

 

Thanks for the report Flagrag. looking at that field it would not have suprised me if Holder had won that meeting. To say he is not ready is frankly rubbish. He is doing well in all leagues and in Poland he is scoring very big. The only thing he lacks is the backing and having enough quality equipment for GPs. Racing and skill wise he is already good enough to challnge.

 

I also don't believe that he would be overlooked for a lesser rider because he is an Aussie. The GP series need the very best riders in it, and to pass over Holder to put in another Pole/Swede/Croatian etc would be foolhardy by the powers that be. It would have been clearly noticed what happened to Holder last night and I am quietly confident he will get a permanent wildcard.

 

And Anders, yes I know Emil Saifudinov is a great talent. Been watching his meeting at Bydgoszsz this year, but I feel Holder has a little bit more. Both of course will be a the top of the sport in years to come, alongside Batchelor, Woffinden, Languta, and Bridger (I hope being a Brit, and putting club loyalties aside)

Edited June 22, 2008 by Steve Shovlar

[salty]

Surprised and a tad disappointed to see Holder bow out. With Saifatdinov only making it as reserve as well it seems some of the old guard will be strongly in the running for qualification.

Strong WTC's and Under 21 campaigns from Holder and Emil may see them having a chance of a nomination to GP 2009, but there are a lot of other factors at play (unfortunately). It might well be that the GP organisers would see Emil's inclusion as a massive boost given the money floating about in Russia, whilst Noddy unfortunately doesn't have the same pull.

I guess a lot will depend on the make up of the top 8 this year and the 3 qualifiers.

 

[Steve Shovlar]

The GP organisers don't want to see the likes of Sullivan, Monberg, Ferjan, etc under any circumstances. They bring nothing to the GP series at all. In fact they make it dull.

 

The GP series need fresh blood in it and the likes of Holder and Saifudinov and even Kennett must be allowed in to give it a go. If a rider fails to make the top 10, they should automatically miss out on the following year unless they have been unfortunately injured.

 

Riders like Bjarne, Dryml, KK, etc should be forced to give way if they can't cut it. Sure there's always winners and losers like any league table, but riders shouldn't just be give a GP slot after 2/3/4 years of not progressing.

 

 

 

 

[Subedei]

The GP organisers don't want to see the likes of Sullivan, Monberg, Ferjan, etc under any circumstances. They bring nothing to the GP series at all. In fact they make it dull.

 

Which is why they hate the qualifiers almost as much as the British champion and Chris Harris do. But the fans complain if there isn't a legitimate means of having riders outside the circus qualify. And it's pointless trying to guess the BSI/FIM nominations at this stage of the game. If Sullivan qualifies and Adams and Crump remain in the circus for 2009, that effectively rules out Holder. You can only start guessing at the nominations after the qualifiers are known, by which time you also have a good idea which riders are going to be in the top eight.

 

Riders like Bjarne, Dryml, KK, etc should be forced to give way if they can't cut it. Sure there's always winners and losers like any league table, but riders shouldn't just be give a GP slot after 2/3/4 years of not progressing.

 

You forgot to mention the British champion and Chris Harris in that list. At least riders like BP, Dryml and Kasprzak (why the hell is he in your list, this is his first season for crying out loud?) have taken part in the qualification process. A process that the two British riders seem to regard as beneath them.

 

Edited June 22, 2008 by Subedei

[Steve Shovlar]

You forgot to mention the British champion and Chris Harris in that list. At least riders like BP, Dryml and Kasprzak (why the hell is he in your list, this is his first season for crying out loud?) have taken part in the qualification process. A process that the two British riders seem to regard as beneath them.

 

 

I was unduely harsh on KK, but his GP form has been diabolical so far this year.

 

The reason Harris and Nicholls don't bother with the qualifiers is because there are no other Brits threatening their places. It would serve Harris and Nicholls right if the GP organisers went for Kennett and AN Other in 2009.

 

We do need qualifiers because a closed shop is unfair. But it brings with it the dregs of Ferjan, Sullivan, Pepe etc, which is not good. Perhaps they should be banned from qualifying rounds? If a rider has been in the series and got booted off, perhaps they can't re-enter?

[scotty2hotty]

Just want to say well done to Kyle Legault. Only 2 months since he broke his leg. I know he probably isn't happy with his score but coming back from an injury like that and giving it a go. is enough to earn my full respect.

[salty]

I was unduely harsh on KK, but his GP form has been diabolical so far this year.

 

The reason Harris and Nicholls don't bother with the qualifiers is because there are no other Brits threatening their places. It would serve Harris and Nicholls right if the GP organisers went for Kennett and AN Other in 2009.

 

We do need qualifiers because a closed shop is unfair. But it brings with it the dregs of Ferjan, Sullivan, Pepe etc, which is not good. Perhaps they should be banned from qualifying rounds? If a rider has been in the series and got booted off, perhaps they can't re-enter?

Don't think you can ban people from the qualifiers, surely they should be open for all?

If Ferjan and Pepe were truly the dregs then they wouldn't be able to qualify would they?

I take your point that they wouldn't add much to the series, but if they qualify legitimately then they deserve to have a go.

Sulli was a worthwhile Gp rider not so long ago, would be interesting to see if he can get back in. 3 Aussies in the Semi's, if 1 were to qualify then Noddy wouldn't be getting a sniff for 2009.

 

I would love to see another Brit qualifying by right, but a strong performance by Kennett next Saturday (what price him being the first Brit to win a GP race this season?) if he can back it up in the WTC and the qualifiers could see him getting a shot next year.

[flagrag]

Shovlar- For once I have to agree with you on Chris Holder if he continues to progress at his current rate he should recieve a wild card for 2009 and I have heard a few things that indicate a decision has already been made that he will be in the 2009 series providing he has a good World Cup this year.

 

If it had been the original lineup at Lonigo I think Freddie Lindgren would have won it and would have said that Janniro and Batchelor would have have made the cut above J Monberg and on how he rode last night probaly Daniel King.

 

I cant believe how welcome the Italians have made us and therew as a good crowd there with plenty of cheering for the race winners and lots of fans staying behing to watch presentation and to chat to riders after the meeting

[brendanfan]

Oh Shovlar you do make me laugh when Ryan helped Poole out a couple of year's back to you he was the best thing since slice bread kettle and black come to mind!!!!

[Steve Shovlar]

Oh Shovlar you do make me laugh when Ryan helped Poole out a couple of year's back to you he was the best thing since slice bread kettle and black come to mind!!!!

 

I think you have got me mixed up with someone else. I have never, ever been a fan of Sullivan and was relieved when he did his disappearing act. He was terrible for Poole. A gating tart who showed no passing ability at all when he rode for us.

Edited June 22, 2008 by Steve Shovlar

[Subedei]

I think you have got me mixed up with someone else. I have never, ever been a fan of Sullivan and was relieved when he did his disappearing act. He was terrible for Poole. A gating tart who showed no passing ability at all when he rode for us.

 

But you did think it was an "astonishing feat" for 3M to keep the top five from 2004 together for 2005. And that top five included Messrs Sullivan and Ferjan.

 

[Steve Shovlar]

But you did think it was an "astonishing feat" for 3M to keep the top five from 2004 together for 2005. And that top five included Messrs Sullivan and Ferjan.

 

Ferjan is a far more popular rider at Poole than Sullivan ever was. In 2005 he was terrible. I remember being at Monmore one night and their reserves had him for breakfast.

[pugwash]

To be fair to Matej, I think that he lost a lot of confidence the night that nasty nicki stuck him in the fence on turn 4. Before that he was scoring pretty well, averaging something like 7.5, if I remember right. It was also Sullivan as skipper who had to be dragged off Pedersen before he ripped his head off.

Ryan was a good team player as all Aussies are and was a good skipper but had his own problems which was eventually very sad.

 

 

[tomazpozrl]

Some pics from Lonigo (courtesy of Saso Kljucaric sports photography): http://www.fotokljucaric.net/gallery.php?f=Lonigo