Gp Challenge

[The Know]

Umm !! two poles that are way out of their depth . Glad i wont be their next year to watch them ride round at the back.

[Steve Shovlar]

People need to realise that Walasek is a number one in Poland and not the same rider we see over here in the UK struggling around on a 5-6 point average. In Poland he is a serious force to be reckoned with. of course he won't make much of a dent in the GP series but he isn't as bad as many envisage.

 

But Falcace makes some interesting points. It's very hard for a youngster to come in and compete at this very top level against the old boys.

 

Not only have the oldies (Crump, Adams, Hancock, Gollob) got a great team in place but they also keep themselves safe and fit. They can go on for years at this level by playing their safe hands. For a youngster to step up and be consistent is almost impossible without hyge backing. Sure they can make a dent ( Lindback almost got there on a couple of occassions and should have won a GP at Daugvapils) but the amount needed to compete competitively throughout a whole GO season is far more than these young lads can possibly earn through points money alone.

 

There are riders out there who do have the ability to make the breakthrough, but more than skill on a bike is needed. Holder is the obvious candidate but he has already said he just doesn't have the financial resources in place to compete in 2009. If offered a place I doubt he would turn it down, but he probably wouldn't do as well as he would lie with his gear and team stretched to the limit. Same goes for the other youngsters.

 

Nicki Pedersen is dominating the series as much as TRick did a few years ago. There is no one in the current GP field who can live with him on a consistent basis, so he is realistically going to win the GP series at least two more times before he starts to slip back into the field/someone comes up to challange him.

 

The days of a Michael Lee/boy wonder coming into the GP series and winning the WC are long gone. Consistency is king and to be consistent means a big back up team, lots experience, and lots of money. And only the old boys have that.

[The Know]

People need to realise that Walasek is a number one in Poland and not the same rider we see over here in the UK struggling around on a 5-6 point average. In Poland he is a serious force to be reckoned with. of course he won't make much of a dent in the GP series but he isn't as bad as many envisage.

 

But Falcace makes some interesting points. It's very hard for a youngster to come in and compete at this very top level against the old boys.

 

Not only have the oldies (Crump, Adams, Hancock, Gollob) got a great team in place but they also keep themselves safe and fit. They can go on for years at this level by playing their safe hands. For a youngster to step up and be consistent is almost impossible without hyge backing. Sure they can make a dent ( Lindback almost got there on a couple of occassions and should have won a GP at Daugvapils) but the amount needed to compete competitively throughout a whole GO season is far more than these young lads can possibly earn through points money alone.

 

There are riders out there who do have the ability to make the breakthrough, but more than skill on a bike is needed. Holder is the obvious candidate but he has already said he just doesn't have the financial resources in place to compete in 2009. If offered a place I doubt he would turn it down, but he probably wouldn't do as well as he would lie with his gear and team stretched to the limit. Same goes for the other youngsters.

 

Nicki Pedersen is dominating the series as much as TRick did a few years ago. There is no one in the current GP field who can live with him on a consistent basis, so he is realistically going to win the GP series at least two more times before he starts to slip back into the field/someone comes up to challange him.

 

The days of a Michael Lee/boy wonder coming into the GP series and winning the WC are long gone. Consistency is king and to be consistent means a big back up team, lots experience, and lots of money. And only the old boys have that.

 

 

Dont agree about Walasek as he is to interested in partying and does not focus 100% on his riding.

 

If you are well organised and ride abroad already it is not that expensive to race and do well in the g.p.

[leanne1706]

Have only just come online and seen the result of this meeting from yesterday...

 

Would just like to say I am really really chuffed for Kenneth - I think he may well shock a few people next year.

 

As for all the sniping on here. It's getting boring. Certain people are sounding like a stuck record, and their opinions are just nonsense.

 

These three riders have gotten through by right; they've qualified. They raced against what was put in front of them (in every stage up to the final) and they won, fair and square (I haven't seen any of yesterday's meeting, so I only guess it was all fair and square).

 

These riders have done what they had to - got through to the GP Challenge, and finished in the top three.

 

What more do you want, blood!?

 

As for next year's wildcards - I hope Jonas Davidsson is considered. He was so unfortunate to miss out on competing in the GP Challenge because of his injury, and I think one of those top three places would have been his if he'd been there yesterday.

 

After Scott's performance on Saturday, I think he has it in him to finish in the top eight, and I hope he does. I think Bomber has been out of his depth this year - it's someone other Brit's turn to give it a go. Who, I don't know... Tai's too young, Kennett's not ready. Stead, Howe, Allen - wouldn't make an impact at all. Danny King? Nah. Richardson showed last night that's he's not up to it. So who?

 

[MattyHart]

Bjerre will do well, Walasek will have the odd good score, Ulamek may do, but i doubt it.

Edited September 15, 2008 by MattyHart

[spook]

it's someone other Brit's turn to give it a go. Who, I don't know... Tai's too young, Kennett's not ready. Stead, Howe, Allen - wouldn't make an impact at all. Danny King? Nah. Richardson showed last night that's he's not up to it. So who?

 

there isnt anyone until the likes of Ed Kennett and Tai are ready to take the step up to that level........if they ever manage to........ I can feel the anxiety in the BSI offices from here

[Jenn]

Yeah right, and in theory Pedersen or Gollob won yesterday.......will you be the one to tell Hancock that he didn`t deserve to win in Bydgodszcz?

Ahhhh - I didnt say WON - I said "in theory Lindgren was better"

 

I'm sure Greg would admit that both Gollob and Ped performed better throughout the meeting than he did - but I'm not questioning whether Holta or Hancock were rightful winners!

 

The facts are there - Lindgren was the best rider in Gothenburg. Gollob and Pedersen in Poland. They just happened to screw up the finals

[orion]

Not sure why people are knocking ulamek ....... he got into the gp by right so will take his chance. on his day he can gate as good as anyone and is hard to catch .

 

I would expect a few poor gp's but a couple where he has a going day and puts starts together and makes a final ....to say he's a no hoper is a joke .

[Jeff.]

Not sure why people are knocking ulamek ....... he got into the gp by right so will take his chance. on his day he can gate as good as anyone and is hard to catch .

 

I would expect a few poor gp's but a couple where he has a going day and puts starts together and makes a final ....to say he's a no hoper is a joke .

 

Amazingly people cite nominations as a farce and urge qualification, then these same numptys are saying it is a shambles that these riders qualify and they make a mockery of the GP, make your mind up.

 

To my mind this GP challenge only adds weight to the arguement in favour of nominations, we could end up back with the farce of the old world finals with two thirds of the field just making up numbers and world class riders sitting in the stands watching them

 

[J_D]

this gp challenge nonsense needs to be stopped asap.

 

walasek and ulamek gp riders!!!!!!!!! what a joke. fair play they got threw on merit, but they will do absoloutely nowt in the gps next year, and bjerre will marginally be better.

 

the amount of tripe threw the years that have got threw and proved to be a laughing stock is bizarre.

 

 

Three gating tarts (to a lesser extent Bjerre) make it to the GP series, in theory they should enhance the series as the likes of Crump, Nicholls, Jonsson, Hans, Freddie, Holta will have a field day passing them, as they are much better quicker riders over four laps. All have the ability to have the odd good GP but i would expect the two Poles to drop out after a year.

 

Real losers could be Holta (unless top 8 finish, but winning a GP he may get a wild card) and Bjarne who i feel are better than the riders that will replace them.

 

2 from Nicholls/Holta/Lindgren (depends who get 8th), plus Harris should be certain wildcards, leaving one place up for grabs. Maybe add a Russian if they go with a GP there?

 

Fairplay to Bjerre never in the semi, Watt fails to arrive and he gets promoted and carrying an injury and qualifies. He deserves his chance.

[bazaar3]

and deserves to a better rider than the 3 that qualified.

 

 

Could have said exactly the same about the 3 that qualified last year and the year before that......they may not win a series but there is always a chance of a GP win as Rune Holta and Brian Andersen have proved.

[salty]

To my mind this GP challenge only adds weight to the arguement in favour of nominations, we could end up back with the farce of the old world finals with two thirds of the field just making up numbers and world class riders sitting in the stands watching them

And these World class riders sitting in the stands are?

 

Difference between the old world finals and now is that there used to be approximately 5 spots for qualifiers from the Continental Final (Poles, Russians, Czechs or Germans) leaving possibly better riders from the "West" missing out. Nowadays the qualification process is more open and everyone gets an equal chance. The 3 guys got there fair and square and beat everybody else to do so - fair play to them, much worthier of a place than those who have to rely on a nomination.

[orion]

And these World class riders sitting in the stands are?

 

Difference between the old world finals and now is that there used to be approximately 5 spots for qualifiers from the Continental Final (Poles, Russians, Czechs or Germans) leaving possibly better riders from the "West" missing out. Nowadays the qualification process is more open and everyone gets an equal chance. The 3 guys got there fair and square and beat everybody else to do so - fair play to them, much worthier of a place than those who have to rely on a nomination.

 

100 % correct

 

[tarabanko]

Boring boring - old farts going through except Bjerre!

[M08]

All 3 riders are better than Lukas Dryml, so what's the problem

 

Personally, I think Scott Nicholls will qualify - finishing 8th overall.

Edited September 15, 2008 by M08

[spook]

 

And these World class riders sitting in the stands are?

 

Difference between the old world finals and now is that there used to be approximately 5 spots for qualifiers from the Continental Final (Poles, Russians, Czechs or Germans) leaving possibly better riders from the "West" missing out. Nowadays the qualification process is more open and everyone gets an equal chance. The 3 guys got there fair and square and beat everybody else to do so - fair play to them, much worthier of a place than those who have to rely on a nomination.

 

 

100 % correct

 

 

for this to ever be anything approaching fair then they have to open all the 7 spots up to qualifying and add more rounds to the qualifying process......

 

 

 

They could even increase the series to two divisions...... it would allow promotion and relegation to be a possibility .......... those young riders would have the infrastructure in place to take on the big boys by the time they got there........... the 2nd div meetings could take place on the sunday therefore not spoiling viewing figures.... and be held at league club tracks....................... they could spend money on machinery within their means (anyone wondered just how much Brian Anderson cost Bomber last year?)................ it would sort out those who will never adapt to the GP system ....... and it would allow for all sorts of permutations as to promotion and relegation places... wild cards etc

 

the only question would be the finances all round in that second division

 

 

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

Nowadays the qualification process is more open and everyone gets an equal chance.

 

 

Have I woken up in a parallel universe...

Never in the history of sport has a competition calling itself a World Championship offered so FEW chances of "qualification"...!!!

[f-s-p]

Have I woken up in a parallel universe...

Never in the history of sport has a competition calling itself a World Championship offered so FEW chances of "qualification"...!!!

64 places were up for Natinonal federations to apply for. Then they had the chance to give them to the riders they wanted. How come thats not "open".

[salty]

Have I woken up in a parallel universe...

Never in the history of sport has a competition calling itself a World Championship offered so FEW chances of "qualification"...!!!

Read the sentence again Derek. The qualification process is more open! You do not have 5 or 6 place allocated to Continental riders as in the days of the one off final. Agree that only 3 riders can qualfy, but at least you should in theory get a GP qualifier consisting of 16 of the "next best" in the world.

[iris123]

Congrats to Kenneth.Good to see him get his chance after being unlucky last year thanks to getting poleaxed by Lindgren Pity Niels missed out as he isn't doing too bad this year.