Seb the Snail Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) Despite the absence of Sajfutdinov, Batchelor and Hampel, this was a fitting way to kick start the 2009 season, celebrate 60 years of history up at the Abbey, and also pay tribute to those riders that are no longer with us. The heroes of yesteryear got a great reception and the minutes applause for Bob Kilby and co was well supported. On track it was a tale of 2 riders, with the resurgent Antonio Lindback eventually having to pay second fiddle to the home skipper after going unbeaten through the qualifying heats. Adams gave a real master class in the final, missing the gate but finding a perfect line off turn 2 before surging ahead down the back straight. Nicki dealt with Lindback in customary style, before a rare mistake gave KK the chance to slip into second. Of the other Robins, Pavlic gave Leigh a real battle in Heat 7 but was generally awful from the gate elsewhere, Fisher gave a great interview but seemed intent on scoring in letters rather than numbers (0-EF-FX-EF-EF) and Steady was just that; steady. Good to see a few Forum members too, but above all good to see some bikes and a bumper crowd. The first of many if the team lives up to expectations. On the downside there were traffic problems (largely due to the new lights) and programme problems (largely due to the fact that they sold out while most of the crowd were stuck in the traffic problems). In Racecard Order: Charlie (4) - not quite his usual self and scoring fell away after The Fish clattered him on the Pits Bend. Nicolai (5) - battled hard all night and could pose some problems in a week or two when Wolves come to town. Pavlic (1) - lulling the league into a false sense of security. Top tactics Rosco. Bomber (8+0) - see Charlie. Apart from the bit about The Fish. Jimmy (4) - Snails like Jimmy; hope he has a good summer. NKI (9+1) - solid after drawing a blank in his opener. Clean (14+3+3) - scored most of his points the hard way. Noddy (7) - expected more and no doubt will be all the better for his visit when the Pirates come to town. Bjerre (7) - didn't make the semis. Shame. KK (8+2+2) - snuck into second from nowhere after a very slow start. The Fish (0) - see Pavlic. Rico (9+1) - par for the course. Nicki (13+3+1) - not at his electric best, but the usual mix of brilliance and controversy nonetheless. Steady (9+0) - outscored Mads and Charlie so a good home debut. Toninho (15+2+0) - superb tonight, riding some great lines when he needed to but mostly bursting clear from the gate. Despatched by Nicki in the Final. Mads (7) - pick and mix tonight. Not my favourite by any means but sure to give his all for the Panthers. Edited March 16, 2009 by Seb the Snail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Good to see some speedway but not a classic meeting - as to be expected really with the season openers, the Ruski and Hampel may have livened things up a bit. Lindback was superb during the qualifying, his performance being the highlight of the night along with escaping from the car park by 9:05pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 A reasonable enough meeting that was totally spoilt by that idiot Nicki Pedersen. This afternoon I watched two rider leave the track in the back of an ambulance and Nicki Pedersen was intent on making that 3 this evening with the move he pulled on Lindback. The guy is a nut case who not only ended Lindbacks race and potentially a great race with Adams but could have left Antonio in a bad way. He wonders why a most people booed him at Cardiff, the guy a dick head and frankly if I never have to see him on speedway bike again I'd not be disappointed. Antonio was bloody awesome tonight, I've never been his biggest fan but riding like that and he will be soon. Fast, smooth, stylish yet still aggressive and giving it 100% He has changed but for the better, he was a joy to watch tonight and I hope he's back in the EL soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaColette Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) A reasonable enough meeting that was totally spoilt by that idiot Nicki Pedersen. This afternoon I watched two rider leave the track in the back of an ambulance and Nicki Pedersen was intent on making that 3 this evening with the move he pulled on Lindback. The guy is a nut case who not only ended Lindbacks race and potentially a great race with Adams but could have left Antonio in a bad way. He wonders why a most people booed him at Cardiff, the guy a dick head and frankly if I never have to see him on speedway bike again I'd not be disappointed. Antonio was bloody awesome tonight, I've never been his biggest fan but riding like that and he will be soon. Fast, smooth, stylish yet still aggressive and giving it 100% He has changed but for the better, he was a joy to watch tonight and I hope he's back in the EL soon. Am not sure if nicki has a problem with anton as most times they have met especially in racing in england nicki seems to 'take him out', maybe its just a coincedence but have seen it at least 3 or 4 times now. Have to see what happens on weds. Edited March 15, 2009 by lisa-colette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMGracing Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Am not sure if nicki has a problem with anton as most times they have met especially in racing in england nicki seems to 'take him out', maybe its just a coincedence but have seen it at least 3 or 4 times now. Have to see what happens on weds. Well you know what they say if you can't beat them than take them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Well you know what they say if you can't beat them than take them out. I didn't see any complaints about Ricky Wells riding at Sheffield though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaColette Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 Well you know what they say if you can't beat them than take them out. Been reading nicki's guide to speedway then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sjl Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 I wasn't there so cannot comment too much but it appears that Simon Steadynow scored reasonable points --- hope it's the start of a great season for him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seb the Snail Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 (edited) I wasn't there so cannot comment too much but it appears that Simon Steadynow scored reasonable points --- hope it's the start of a great season for him! Simon did his job tonight, getting the better of the likes of Mads, Holder, Bjerre and Charlie. If he keeps that sort of form up then there will be no complaints. Nicki was very hard on Antonio but it wasn't the worst move I've ever seen. Lindback was undoubtedly second on merit if not on the scorecard. Edited March 16, 2009 by Seb the Snail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Simon did his job tonight, getting the better of the likes of Mads, Holder, Bjerre and Charlie. If he keeps that sort of form up then there will be no complaints. Nicki was very hard on Antonio but it wasn't the worst move I've ever seen. Lindback was undoubtedly second on merit if not on the scorecard. It must have been, SCB says so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niclas Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Am not sure if nicki has a problem with anton as most times they have met especially in racing in england nicki seems to 'take him out', maybe its just a coincedence but have seen it at least 3 or 4 times now. Have to see what happens on weds. Last year, in Denmark, Antonio crashed pretty bad after a fight with Nicki. Antonio tried to go around Nicki but Nicki closed the door and Antonio overturned and was hit by the riders coming behind. Nicki was excluded but was accusing Antonio for being to wild on the track. I am pretty sure Nicki wants to make an example against Antonio and tell him who is the champ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarrenCook Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Nicki was very hard on Antonio but it wasn't the worst move I've ever seen. Quite right, SCB is overreacting. Nicky just came out wide on bend 4, took Antonio's line & leg & forced him to shut off. Standard Nicky & that's why the aggressive little g*t is World Champ & nice Leigh Adams never will be. Leigh would have kept it tight or shut off & made a fair race of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keef Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Great night of entertainment at the Stade de Lite...good weather, like the old days in the 60s/70s, queueing to get in, car park full, told there was over 4,000 present. Bloody geezer selling hot dogs in our usual space. Not enough progs but a batch was printed and raced up from Bristol half-way through meeting. Fitting tribute to Kilb, good to see the old riders there. Had brief chat to Don Rogers. Fireworks as good as Cardiff!! Superb riding from Lindback, glad he's not riding against Robins this season, easily beat Leigh in heat, but brilliant 2nd. bend surge from Adams in Final left Pedersen Lindblack and Kasprzak for dead. Pav, Holder, and Gjedde were disappointing, and The Fish showed what was to come when he slid into Charlie on pits bend Steady rode well. Would have liked to have seen Batch and Trav competing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Clean (14+3+3) - scored most of his points the hard way. Put on a bit of a show eh Fitting to see that he won this meeting. Nicki was excluded but was accusing Antonio for being to wild on the track Christ almighty talk about the pot calling the kettle black, perhaps it's because Antonio isn't in total control of his bike like Nicki used to put his moves down to .......... aggressive little g*t And some call him other names haha I don't think I've ever read it written that a meeting from the Abbey Stadium was fantastic, what is wrong with that track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Bee Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Nicki was out of order in the final. Not seen it from Nicki for a long time but it was like watching old Nicki who when he wasn't quick enough threw the bike at people. A rider should never be put in a position where they either have to shut off completely and end up 50 yeards behind, or go flying into the air fence. Thankfully KK passed the little rubbish. Possibly a slight over reaction given that I had to watch Wato go off to hospital after a sickening crash in the afternoon and then having to watch Nickis disregard for Lindbacks space in the final but I stand by what I said. Lindback was superb. He left Adams and and Pedersen for dead in the heats, they couldn't get close. Completely different rider to the joke that was over here for BV, and the rather more dangerous Poole version. Could watch him race all day long. More annoyingly was the fact Swindon decided to ignore the normal GP format for the semi finals. Adams and Nicki P should have been in 1 semi, and Anton in the other. As it was Mr. Clean conveniantly got a nice easy semi final and and almost guarenteed first choice for the final Harris started very well and got what I believe was the quickest time of the night in his first ride? Got slower as it went on and got boxed in in the semi. Hope he steps it up a notch for tonight at Wolves. On the whole not bad for an early season meeting. Impressed with what Ronnie Russel has done with the track, looks like he's cut away at the bends to make it more like a diamond? Certainly seemed to open up a few more lines and as the track beds in I'm expecting some excellent racing at the Abbey this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 excellent racing at the Abbey I look forward to the reports quoting this line Hope it happens too!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keef Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 The Adams cutback and blast through on the inside of the leading trio of Pedersen Lindback and Kasprzak was as good a manouevre as I've seen at Blunsdon. Also Adams chasing down Holder and his pass was excellent stuff. He wasn't gating well in most races. Hopefully with the new lines there will be better racing at the Abbey this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm_31 Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 More annoyingly was the fact Swindon decided to ignore the normal GP format for the semi finals. Adams and Nicki P should have been in 1 semi, and Anton in the other. As it was Mr. Clean conveniantly got a nice easy semi final and and almost guarenteed first choice for the final Just a note, the choice of gates for the final were done by the toss of a coin. Made no difference what semi they were in, also add the fact Adams had beated everyone bar Lindback was there any doubt he would be in the final ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Bee Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 I had no issue with Adams making the final, but if Lindback had had the easy semi he'd earnt, he would almost definately have won it and been in with a shout of first choice for the final. Whilst it was done on the Toss of the coin, that was only to decide between Adams and Nicki, the 2 semi winners. Lindback would have almost certainly been involved in that toss for first choice had the semi final line-ups been correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Robin Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 I had no issue with Adams making the final, but if Lindback had had the easy semi he'd earnt, he would almost definately have won it and been in with a shout of first choice for the final. Whilst it was done on the Toss of the coin, that was only to decide between Adams and Nicki, the 2 semi winners. Lindback would have almost certainly been involved in that toss for first choice had the semi final line-ups been correct. The referee made the call as to which rider rode in which semi final. Essentially 1,3,5 & 7 were in the first semi and 2, 4, 6 & 8 were in the 2nd semi. It was decided before the meeting that that was the way the semi finals would be run. There was no agenda or fudge as you allege. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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