Steve Shovlar Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 I can't see any of the qualifiers troubling the Top 8 in next year's series, but I like the concept of the GP Qualifier and so they deserve their place for 2009. Ulamek is one of the sport's good guys, and his celebrations are without equal. At least with Bjerre going through I get someone to jeer every other Saturday; well, unless he decides that his leg is broken again. Good news that Holder's chances have been enhanced by Sullivan's late collapse too, but the sooner we have a system based on ability and not nationality the better. I couldn't really give a stuff if we had 5 Aussies, 5 Poles and 5 Danes as long as they are the best 15 riders in the world. But what if Poland suddenly had 10 of the best 15 riders in the world? Wouldn't make great viewing figures outside of Poland for BSI!! There has to be a nationality selection process, with a couple fo extra places available for riders of ability to slot in as well, which is non dependant on nationality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subedei Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 (edited) But what if Poland suddenly had 10 of the best 15 riders in the world? Wouldn't make great viewing figures outside of Poland for BSI!! But what are viewing figures like at Wimborne Road? Do they suffer because none of the Poole riders are British? Edited September 14, 2008 by Subedei Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanya Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Gutted for Puk, he tried so hard carrying his injury and deserved to be in the top 3. I thought the feed was fantastic on the internet and throughly enjoyed it plus the commentary was 10 times better than Skys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schumi Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Just looks like the same old faces fighting !! for the three places. Nicki must be having a laugh as thats 3 of next years competition he can forget about. Well none of the line-up were ever going to trouble him anyway. Fair play to them all for entering though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirateandi Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Gutted for Puk, he tried so hard carrying his injury and deserved to be in the top 3. I thought the feed was fantastic on the internet and throughly enjoyed it plus the commentary was 10 times better than Skys! why the hell did he deserve to be in the top 3 ? guess this means his seasons finished as he requires surgery ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostwalker Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 (edited) my WC picks would be Freddie, NKI. (if they doesnt qualify on their own) and Hampel. Coz' the boty Freddie and Iversen has showned that both of the are capable GP riders. Hampel is a steady league rider with pretty good sores in all 3 leagues. Edited September 14, 2008 by Ghostwalker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seb the Snail Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 But what if Poland suddenly had 10 of the best 15 riders in the world? Wouldn't make great viewing figures outside of Poland for BSI!! There has to be a nationality selection process, with a couple fo extra places available for riders of ability to slot in as well, which is non dependant on nationality. Disagree Steve. The World Championship is at stake and so the best riders in the world should take place in the series, irresepective of where they happened to be born. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazaar3 Posted September 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 I don't think there are many out there until next year who deserve to replace the current crop so I would stick with 9th, 10th and 11th and 12th. Swidders, Holder and the other young guns to be in the 2010 series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Hardly the most inspirational of additions to the GP series (and I say that as a fan of Walasek). Agree about Bjerre's flier in his last heat, and yet the rider off the same gate in the next the heat did exactly the same and it got called back. Do feel for NKI, but feel he might be in with a chance of a wild card. Much as it pains me to say it, I think Bjarne has cooked his goose this year (although missing two rounds through injury hardly helped) and will be looking in from the outside next year. Only redeeming thing from tonight was Sullivan not getting back in - his addition would've been a step backwards and as others have said it does give Holder more of a chance. If I had my way, the wildcards would be NKI, Holder, Sajfutdinov and possibly Pavlic just to freshen the series up a bit. Too much dead wood floating around in the GPs and tonight's qualifiers don't do much to dismiss that perception. Can't honestly see NKI getting a nomination, not with 3 Danes already in. I know there were 4 Danes this year but they had all qualified as of right. I suspect that there might be a call for the young bloods of Holder, Sajfutdinov and Pavlic to be given a go as you say to "freshen the series up a bit". However, there was a similar impetus in the recent past for riders like Zagar, Lindback, Lindgren and KK, but they have all struggled to consistently challenge the top 8. If the likes of Holder and the others have the right sort of backing and support teams then I would love to see them get a go, but it takes serious money to be competitive in the GP's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essaitch Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Well none of the line-up were ever going to trouble him anyway. Fair play to them all for entering though. I think the fact is that there isn't anyone outside the top 8 any better than whats there. Top five are all over 30 too, may not go down well with those calling for young blood, but a fact! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyy Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Put my hands up straight away as not knowing the salution, but. The GP'S are close to getting to predictable, bit like F1. Care needs to be taken else tv intrest etc will begin to slip. Comments by the Sky presenter last night along the lnes all being over and not good for tv could see a fall in coverage. Agree totally with lots of dead wood floating around and as I stated earlier, no matter how they got there 2 of the 3 AIN'T GOT A HOPE. Perhaps only top four should qualify for the next year, no wild cards and entry by qualifying rounds only? Just feel some sort of shake up is needed imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerblues Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 my WC picks would be Freddie, NKI. (if they doesnt qualify on their own) and Hampel. Coz' the boty Freddie and Iversen has showned that both of the are capable GP riders. Hampel is a steady league rider with pretty good sores in all 3 leagues. Lindgren's had one good round Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbit Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Can't honestly see NKI getting a nomination, not with 3 Danes already in. I know there were 4 Danes this year but they had all qualified as of right. I suspect that there might be a call for the young bloods of Holder, Sajfutdinov and Pavlic to be given a go as you say to "freshen the series up a bit". However, there was a similar impetus in the recent past for riders like Zagar, Lindback, Lindgren and KK, but they have all struggled to consistently challenge the top 8. If the likes of Holder and the others have the right sort of backing and support teams then I would love to see them get a go, but it takes serious money to be competitive in the GP's. Good points all. And Holder for one has commented on the finances required, although stops short of dismissing his inclusion as a wild card next year. Wise head on young shoulders that one... The trouble we have at the moment is the series is dominated by about 5 or so riders, all in their mid to late 30s. There will come a time when one by one they fall by the wayside and at the moment, those who would come in to replace them are still some way short. I agree with you about the previous form of the Lindbacks, Zagars etc but think the future bunch still need a chance ahead of those of 'advancing years' who we know will do nothing to enhance the series. I've nothing against riders coming in who might not figure highly in the meetings now, as long as they show potential and add to the entertainment of the series and take a few scalps. Has-been gating tarts need not apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Here's a novel idea . Every rider in the world has a chance of being world champion . Then through a series of qualifying rounds throughout the season we are left with 16 riders riding in a one-off world final . Or has something like that been done before ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddas69 Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Maybe Holta needs to consider changing his nationality again? What makes u think being Norwegian, or Italian, German or Russian for that sake would make it easier to get in among top 4 nations? It is just politics but in a real world Holta should be picked before both Nicholls, Harris and Lindgren for next year. After all he has won a GP and he is also in the Super Prix........ I for one would love to see what happens if he finishes in 9th place and then wins the Super Prix!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Blue Bee Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Not wishing to seem rude but what is the point of these two in the GP's Absolutely no point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddas69 Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Absolutely no point. They have qualified by right not through nationality as certain other riders........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky Blue Bee Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Well if Nicholls doesn't get in the top 8 then he will probably get another wild card and deserves to a better rider than the 3 that qualified. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanya Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 why the hell did he deserve to be in the top 3 ? guess this means his seasons finished as he requires surgery ! Because he rode well tonight with an obvious injury. And he did say that he would be having sugery in the winter and would carry on riding unless he had another big crash. Puk had been riding well in the GPs up until he got his injury even making a final and looked a different rider this time around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subedei Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 and deserves to a better rider than the 3 that qualified. Please provide evidence to support the above statement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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