Chris Harris And Scott Nicholls

[spin king]

I don't know what the score is between Scott and Chris, pure guess work is that maybe Scott got a little bit miffed about Bomber's British Grand Prix win, apart from that win Bomber's Grand Prix record has been very average, but there was alot made about his Grand Prix win, and I think that might have gotten to him.

If there are differences between them both unlike the Danes, the two don't seem to be able to put their differences aside in the World Team Cup, which is sad.

As for Bomber been out while the early hours, nobody has actually said whether he was drinking, but I know the Grand Prix at Cardiff 2007, I was told that there was a Danish rider out very late, so I don't really put much into that.

As for Jim Lynch I think that I seem to remember reading that Neil Middleditch paid his own way for the Grand Prix, which is again a shame if it is true.

I think now is the time to forget about about British success in Grand Prix, maybe keep Bomber in there, as this is only his second year, but that is always assuming that he can get an invitation, but I question whether or not he feels in his own mind whether or not he can compete at this level or not, I am not totally convinced that he does. For me Scott has had his time, he is going backwards and not getting any better in fact he is getting worse, maybe it is that he now has a family and his priorities have changed, having a family can do that to some people.

For me the time is right for us to start looking at the younger riders from this country, and getting them prepared and ready for the Grand Prix series, riders that spring to mind are Tai Woffenden, Adam Roynon, Joe Haines and Lewis Bridger, there are others that I think that might push their way forward, but these riders need to be the nucleus of our future, this is what the Danes did they stuck with a group of young riders, nurtured them, and now and when you look they now have four riders in the Grand Prix series, and who is to say next year they won't have five riders.

[Hazzman]

People seem to be forgotting Bomber's podium finish at Wroclaw last season.....so he can't be a one-show pony.

[shadow]

Well a wee word with the sports psychologists that look after the British cyclists might be the order of the day .

 

Maybe a spell at Ivan Mauger's training camp listening to the old maestro about how to ride a speedway bike and get out of the gate could be a good use of their time!! Mauger wasn't a natural, but he learnt how to do it.

[shadow]

For me the time is right for us to start looking at the younger riders from this country, and getting them prepared and ready for the Grand Prix series, riders that spring to mind are Tai Woffenden, Adam Roynon, Joe Haines and Lewis Bridger

 

You'd never see him out on the piss the night before a GP would you?!!!

[Subedei]

Maybe a spell at Ivan Mauger's training camp listening to the old maestro about how to ride a speedway bike and get out of the gate could be a good use of their time!! Mauger wasn't a natural, but he learnt how to do it.

 

Mauger had drive, determination and will power, something completely lacking in the global superstar and Harris. Nothing was handed to Mauger on a plate. They've had it too easy.

 

[schumi]

Might be now, Mr.Hammarby has put his hand in his pocket.....

Nope, still R/R for Nicholls.

[5 FURROW]

I don't think it really matters if they " get on " or not . Nicki Pedersen and Hans Andersen haven't exactly been bosom buddies over the years , but it hasn't held them back .

Despite , somehow , winning the British GP last year Harris doesn't convince me as a GP rider . Don't know what Nicholls's problem is though .

How right you may be about them not getting on as individuals the same applies with Pedersen & Andersen but having attended the world cup the team spirit amongst the Danes was unreal compared with team GB both Harris & Nicholls were opposite ends of the pits they stood the either side of the riders encolsures at practice the younger riders in my opinion needed advice on the large stage so what did they have to do walk to one side of the pits to speak to one then go the other side to talk to the other one couldnt do it as a team as far as i am concerned Jim Lynch needs to get on top of this like yesterday and not tomorrow else this is only gonna esculate if the two riders concerned cannot be man enough to sort it throw both of them out and go with a completely new young squad who could given a chance give it a go

[paul84]

Sounds like a plan 5 FURROW team sprite is nil with team gb anyone can see that from just watching them on telly, something has to be done!

[Guest sjl]

As representatives of G.B speedway can someone not put Scott and Bomber in a room together and tell them not to leave until they appear to have put their differences behind them? The public wish to see them acting as adults who represent our country as a united front.

[Chris]

He still scored nearly as much as Nicholls and Harris put together.

 

And no doubt Nicki Pedersen and Jason Crump have early nights the night before the Grand Prix. It's called professionalism - and it's what the British riders lack.

 

When I'm out on the piss the night before the Swedish GP, I don't expect to bump into any riders.

 

All the best

Rob

 

Yep unbelievable Rob, you on a night out.

 

[philipg]

if scott does,nt make top eight by right this its time for him to be put out to grass, he is not good enough. chris well this year he has been poor ,its his second year so ,i,ll allow him one more next but no top eight place next year and out you go

its a good job they have seedings in this gp stuff.if it was the proper world championship niether would get to a final

good job i ,m old enough to remember the 70,s and early 80s when we had world class riders ,aint got none now

[Cheekee Raylee Monkee]

Can he though . Apart from that freak performance at Cardiff 2007 , he hasn't remotely looked competative in GP's . Even his famous " aiming for 5 points " ambition , has looked beyond him recently .

 

 

Sad to say that I agree. I fear that the extraordinary night in Cardiff in 2007 may go down as something of a 'Szczackiel-esque' (is that a word...... It is now ) moment. Best we savour the memory.

 

I find it painful to watch the GP's from a Brit point of view and if I hear Scott saying that he is "that close" to winning a GP once more I really will weep into my beer. They are both good riders but as proved consistently in GP's & in successive World Cups, GB does not have a genuine world class rider. The point has already been made by another correspondent that Scott (consistently) and Bomber don't bother with the GP qualifiers. So if they don't make the top 8 what justification is there for either to get a wild card based on either performance or potential? If it means that there is no Brit in the series in 2009, so be it. We'll still watch it on TV & go the Cardiff (there will be a Brit wild card).

 

We bang on about Tai & for me its a pleasure to watch his sublime talent at Rye. But he's just 18 and who knows when he might reach his peak. We need to be reasonable in our expectations - so let's stop this talk of a GP wildcard for 2009 & let the lad develop naturally to fulfil whatever his potential ultimately proves to be.

 

Oh and what is the gentleman's club (BSPA) doing to nuture and support Tai & the other young Brits? They could do a lot worse than grab Ivan Mauger when he comes over to run his training schools every Spring. Why not pay the great man for an additional day & insist all the GB squad spend a day with him at somewhere like Scunthorpe - or abroad where the weather would be more settled for a pre-season 'masterclass'. Can anyone say that a day spent under his guidance regarding on and off the track matters would not enable each of them to walk away better equipped to succeed in the season ahead? But that would mean investing a couple of bob - & that would never do.

 

Maybe a day spent with the Galloping Mauger might open the eyes of young Mr Bridger?

[Subedei]

We bang on about Tai & for me its a pleasure to watch his sublime talent at Rye. But he's just 18 and who knows when he might reach his peak. We need to be reasonable in our expectations - so let's stop this talk of a GP wildcard for 2009 & let the lad develop naturally to fulfil whatever his potential ultimately proves to be.

 

It was encouraging to see Rob Woffinden trying to quash the hype surrounding his prodigiously talented son in this week's Speedway Star.

"But just because he scored nine points in that meeting [the SWC race-off] and had a really good day at the races, in my eyes, it doesn't necessarily mean he's reached international standard yet," were the wise words of Woffinden Snr. If the youngster listens to his father and not the quarter-wits on Sky Sports, young Woffinden might just fulfill his potential.

Edited August 21, 2008 by Subedei

[chugbunny2]

He still scored nearly as much as Nicholls and Harris put together.

 

And no doubt Nicki Pedersen and Jason Crump have early nights the night before the Grand Prix. It's called professionalism - and it's what the British riders lack.

 

When I'm out on the piss the night before the Swedish GP, I don't expect to bump into any riders.

 

All the best

Rob

 

Just to put things into perspective here, I was also staying at the said hotel in Vastervik where as you quite rightly said Chris Harris was drinking.

But you failed to say what he was drinking, I cannot see that 2 Cokes on Thursday night and 2 orange Tangos on Friday night constitutes as you so airily put it 'on the piss'!

It's quite rare these days for any rider to interact with the fans, so it was quite refreshing for Bomber (and his Grandad) to come and chat/socialise or whatever.

To quote 'Sandie', Bomber never usually sleeps before 1am and GP's rarely before 3am, it's just the way he is.

As for the 'Nicholls/Harris' 'squabble', get them both to sort it out between them, if not replace them both in next years GP's.

[Blazeaway]

Just to put things into perspective here, I was also staying at the said hotel in Vastervik where as you quite rightly said Chris Harris was drinking.

But you failed to say what he was drinking, I cannot see that 2 Cokes on Thursday night and 2 orange Tangos on Friday night constitutes as you so airily put it 'on the piss'!

It's quite rare these days for any rider to interact with the fans, so it was quite refreshing for Bomber (and his Grandad) to come and chat/socialise or whatever.

To quote 'Sandie', Bomber never usually sleeps before 1am and GP's rarely before 3am, it's just the way he is.

As for the 'Nicholls/Harris' 'squabble', get them both to sort it out between them, if not replace them both in next years GP's.

 

 

I disagree, I spoke to Crump, Adams, Nicki and Bomber at Poznan airport before the Leszno GP and all were happy to talk. Although out of them all Chris was definately the friendliest.

[Trees]

If the youngster listens to his father and not the quarter-wits on Sky Sports, young Woffinden might just fulfill his potential.

Errrrrrrr I would have thought his Dad will just continue to play a big part in Tai's career, he's so young anyway there is no need to rush into anything??

 

I think SKY are just helping their viewing figs (and Tai I guess) and also speedway so whenever he's billed now people will simply HAVE to watch cos he's on the box or riding in a meeting?

[WembleyLion]

Just to put things into perspective here, I was also staying at the said hotel in Vastervik where as you quite rightly said Chris Harris was drinking.

But you failed to say what he was drinking, I cannot see that 2 Cokes on Thursday night and 2 orange Tangos on Friday night constitutes as you so airily put it 'on the piss'!

It's quite rare these days for any rider to interact with the fans, so it was quite refreshing for Bomber (and his Grandad) to come and chat/socialise or whatever.

To quote 'Sandie', Bomber never usually sleeps before 1am and GP's rarely before 3am, it's just the way he is.

 

 

Yes I agree chugbunny2 , I thought Chris did nothing that was improper. He clearly struggles to sleep well and therefore a few soft drinks and a chat with his Grandad and some fans is as good a way as any to relax for him. It might not work for others but I sensed it was just his way of dealing with the situation.

 

 

[lucifer sam]

Yes I agree chugbunny2 , I thought Chris did nothing that was improper. He clearly struggles to sleep well and therefore a few soft drinks and a chat with his Grandad and some fans is as good a way as any to relax for him. It might not work for others but I sensed it was just his way of dealing with the situation.

 

Hi Chugbunny & Wembley Lion,

 

I didn't actually say Chris was drinking. I was just surprised to bump into him so late in the evening and it came as such a contrast to the approach that I imagine most of the top riders would take.

 

All the best

Rob

 

 

[travtastic]

I thought Chris did nothing that was improper. He clearly struggles to sleep well and therefore a few soft drinks and a chat with his Grandad and some fans is as good a way as any to relax for him. It might not work for others but I sensed it was just his way of dealing with the situation.

 

 

It is nice that he wanted to socialise with fans, rather than sitting in the corner on his own! Top bloke!

With time differences nearly every day/a few times a week, its no suprise that sleeping at local time is an issue! I guess some people can adapt to it better.

[shankley08]

In Chris's defence I understand he cant sleep before a GP. Did your friend say whether he was drinking or not. I suspect the answer was NOT.

So does he lay in bed and toss and turn orgo out - tire himself out and when he hits the pillow he then will fall asleep.

Everyone does differenlty and I have been quick to jump when we have seen riders out late at night -but now I am more tolerant!!

 

 

 

That is slightly unfair.

I suspect Jim is just as passionate for Britain but doesnt have the same personal income as Neil.

As you say Neil had to pay for himself (along with Poole Tourist Board - who whoever it was called) maybe Jim doesnt have a sponsor to help either.