2010 Grand Prix wildcards

[Wolfman1958]

 

can't see how Britain can be given a Wild Card as Scott Nicholls has proved year after year he isnt up to it and looks much better now he is out of the circus while Tai will get another chance in the future.

 

 

The more I think about it the more I think Tai could be a nailed on wild card .. it was his first year & should do much better next season. I think they will cut him some slack and give him another season unless he does not want to do it. Hans would benefit from a year away .. he is nearly 30 now and should be a lot better than he is. Davey Watt is a much more experienced rider but Tai has matched his scores in the series.

Edited September 26, 2010 by Wolfman1958

[spook]

I reckon the 2011 GP line up will be ....

 

1 ~ Tomasz Gollob

2 ~ Jarek Hampel

3 ~ Jason Crump

4 ~ Rune Holta

5 ~ Kenneth Bjerre

6 ~ Greg Hancock

7 ~ Chris Harris

8 ~ Chris Holder

9 ~ Artem Laguta

10 ~ Antonio Lindback

11 ~ Fredrik Lindgren

12 ~ Nicki Pedersen

13 ~ Hans Andersen

14 ~ Andreas Jonsson

15 ~ Emil Sayfutdinov

 

16 ~ WILD CARD

 

17 ~ 18 ~ Track Reserves

19 ~ Janusz Kolodiej

 

 

Emil is gauranteed a selection while the Series wouldn't be the same without Nicki P who has had a bad year and injuries keeping him back from claiming a top 8 spot. When you look around at the World Class riders, there isn't anyone better than AJ and Hans and they can both still mix it with the best and on their day make the rostrum.

 

 

As Janusz Kolodiej is first reserve, then he will probably get a few rides any way but being Polish Champion now he may get a call up but would they want a fourth Pole as well as a Russian ?

 

Can't see how Britain can be given a Wild Card as Scott Nicholls has proved year after year he isnt up to it and looks much better now he is out of the circus while Tai will get another chance in the future.

 

I think you are pretty much on the money there

 

Whether people like it or not (and I personally don't) a quota system rules in the IMG offices..... and that combined with the amount of GP's a nation holds along with just how much a rider stands out determines the picks......... a couple of years ago it was possible for a couple of nations to have 4 riders but for every Russian (and future extra Aussie) who qualifies it makes it less of a viable scenario for IMG unless they are strongarmed into it due to qualification results

 

Emil and Nicki are nailed on WC's for obvious reasons........ that leaves the Danes and the Swedes with only two riders each and the brits with one....... significantly there is no new Brit to try ....and despite sporadic improvement from Tai IMG are not going to be able to justify a 2011 selection for him..... its a similar story for the Danes and Swedes with no stand out guys.............. so I also reckon its going to be Andersen and Jonsson coming back .............. the major threat to that scenario is not Kolodziej imho but an inadvisable bringing back of Scott or Rico purely based on quota......

 

If it works out that way Janusz can count himself unlucky ..... but this is what Hampel went through for what ended up being a few years

[tas]

Really hope Hans will get in because he was doing ok till he had the coming together with Nikki.His scores went down because of injury but he battled on. He had a suspect exclusion in the last gp which cost him a point and they all count.

When do they announce who gets the wild card slots.

[Col]

1 ~ Tomasz Gollob

2 ~ Jarek Hampel

3 ~ Jason Crump

4 ~ Rune Holta

5 ~ Kenneth Bjerre

6 ~ Greg Hancock

7 ~ Chris Harris

8 ~ Chris Holder

9 ~ Artem Laguta

10 ~ Antonio Lindback

11 ~ Fredrik Lindgren

12 ~ Nicki Pedersen

13 ~ Janusz Kolodziej

14 ~ Emil Sayfutdinov

15 ~ Random Brit

 

Can't see AJ or Hans being back to be honest. 2 Swedes, 2 Danes already there assuming Pedersen gets a pick (which he will). Shame but I reckon they'll give another Brit a chance, though none are deserving.

[Grachan]

It's a tricky one this year, with so many big names outside the top 8. So, yes, Andersen and Jonsson could well miss out with N Pedersen and Emil surely getting picks.

 

So pleased that Harris looks set to qualify by right. Britain was becoming too much of a charity case. Not sure we'll get a second Brit next year. Woffinden will learn from the experience and hopefully be back. Rico and Nicholls are better riders than Tai but have probably had their day now.

 

Would like Kolodjiez to get a pick. Always good to watch.

[Panthers99]

Ideally:

 

AJ, Hans, Nicki and Emil.

 

More than likely:

 

Nicki, Emil, Kolodziej and Tai.

[JT]

Finally Harris looks like he will actually justify his place in the Grand Prix series, fair play to the guy, although let's face it his task has been made a lot easier by injuries to Sayfutdinov, Pedersen and even Hans Andersen. Andreas Jonsson has no excuse but he has been a brilliant entertainer in the GP's over the years and this time last year would surely have been guaranteed a nomination. This year I'm not so sure.

 

Personally I'd give Jonsson another go over Andersen (Andersen has had a few chances now) alongside Pedersen, Sayfutdinov and Kolodziej who is young, hugely entertaining and actually world class (unlike Woffinden who has been out of his depth this season).

 

HOWEVER as the series returns to a track all the riders know very well I wouldn't put it past one of Andersen, Pedersen and Jonsson having a stormer in Poland and getting in the top 8 at the expense of Harris or Holder who are two of the most unpredictable riders in the series. A Pedersen 20+ point performance to sneak into the top 8?

 

JT.

[ladyluck]

The Polish authorities seem to be pushing hard for Janusz Kolodziej to get a nomination, but it's difficult to see BSI nominating a fourth Pole. However, a storming performance from Kolodziej in Bydgoszcz would certainly strengthen his case. A win would make it very difficult for BSI to ignore him.

The top eight looks pretty much decided. The only rider I think is capable of sneaking into the top eight is Nicki Pedersen he'd have to have a stellar GP while either Harris or Holder have a stinker. It's not impossible. Harris recorded four last places at Bydgoszcz last season before winning his last race.

I can't see Jonsson doing much. When the chips are down; when the pressure is on you can, with a fair degree of certainty, expect Jonsson to disappear. Look at his dismal showing for Bydgoszcz, at Bydgoszcz, when Polonia needed him to help save their Ekstraliga life. Jonsson really has no stomach for the fight and maybe being shown the door would be a "wake-up" call for him.

It's just as well Lindgren qualified, as he certainly wouldn't have deserved a nomination. Remember after the GP Challenge Final? All those Wolves fans confidently expecting a relaxed Lindgren to easily make the top eight. Thruth to be told, Sweden's best performer, reletavely, in the GPs this season has been Magnus Zetterstrom.

As for the "plucky Brits", well, Harris ought to make the top eight. If he slips out, then he wouldn't warrant a fifth nomination, but he'd probably sneak one on the strength of his performances in Gorican and Terenzano. Woffinden, whether you like it or not, is a given. He enjoys the powerful patronage of Sky Sports and that will be enough for a nomination.

My guess regarding the 2011 line-up is:

 

Tomasz Gollob

Jason Crump

Jaroslaw Hampel

Rune Holta

Kenneth Bjerre

Greg Hancock

Chris Harris

Chris Holder

Artem Laguta

Antonio Lindback

Fredrik Lindgren

Emil Sayfutdinov

Nicki Pedersen

Tai Woffinden

A N Other

 

Who will AN Other be? One of Jonsson, Andersen (neither of whom would deserve it), Kolodziej or Darcy Ward (if he wins the World Under-21a again). I'd like it to be Kolodziej, but I think it will be Jonsson.

[Wolfman1958]

One of the downsides of having a guy from Norway riding as a Pole I guess .. aah well never mind

[tyler42]

Woffinden, whether you like it or not, is a given. He enjoys the powerful patronage of Sky Sports and that will be enough for a nomination.

 

I can't see how sky /bsi can justify giving Tai a spot. he is trailing in last place bar Sayfutdinov in the series. A lot of people said Zetterstrom would be outclassed in GP's, but Tai is the one who has been outclassed?

I'm not having a go at Tai, as I think most riders if they were offered a place would take it, but it's a tad to early for Tai. There are far more better riders who would be a plus for the series. If Tai or another Brit gets a nomination, then the Gp's are just a quota system. Not a true world championship.

[MattK]

I can't see how sky /bsi can justify giving Tai a spot. he is trailing in last place bar Sayfutdinov in the series. A lot of people said Zetterstrom would be outclassed in GP's, but Tai is the one who has been outclassed?

I'm not having a go at Tai, as I think most riders if they were offered a place would take it, but it's a tad to early for Tai. There are far more better riders who would be a plus for the series. If Tai or another Brit gets a nomination, then the Gp's are just a quota system. Not a true world championship.

The wildcards have always been used as a quota system to ensure two Brits are in the championship in order to sell tickets to Cardiff.

 

The unusual thing about 2011 is that one of those Brits might actually qualify on merit!

[ladyluck]

I can't see how sky /bsi can justify giving Tai a spot. he is trailing in last place bar Sayfutdinov in the series.

 

Cast your mind back to the first time Woffinden was mentioned on Sky as being a potential nomineee. Tatum insisted that if Woffinden were nominated he should be given two seasons. That will be the argument. It is quite a reasonable one too. BSI nominated Woffinden way too early, it would be unfair to drop him after a single season. That said, the second season is often more difficult that the first (look at Woffinden's subdued EL showings this season).

For me, Zetterstrom has been the best performing Swede in the series, especially comparatively. Everyone has such high hopes for Jonsson and Lindgren, who always fail to deliver. Zetterstrom has exceeded expectations.

[salty]

Cast your mind back to the first time Woffinden was mentioned on Sky as being a potential nomineee. Tatum insisted that if Woffinden were nominated he should be given two seasons. That will be the argument. It is quite a reasonable one too. BSI nominated Woffinden way too early, it would be unfair to drop him after a single season. That said, the second season is often more difficult that the first (look at Woffinden's subdued EL showings this season).

For me, Zetterstrom has been the best performing Swede in the series, especially comparatively. Everyone has such high hopes for Jonsson and Lindgren, who always fail to deliver. Zetterstrom has exceeded expectations.

I can understand the theory behind giving Tai a second year, but I don't agree with it at all. If that line of argument is used to give him a second year, it gives him a chance that no other rider has been given. Whilst other Brits like Bomber and Scott have been serial beneficiaries of the nomination system at least they have generally been competitive in the series. Apart from a handful of promising rides in the WTC Tai hasn't really shown enough in my opinion to be given a second go. His qualifying campaign never got near the final (again)and as yet there has been nothing to suggest he should be picked on merit ahead of the likes of Jonsson, Andersen, Kolodziej or even Ward. If he wasn't a Brit there would be no chance of him getting a pick for next year and with Bomber looking safe the wild card would ensure 2 Brits at Cardiff.

How much sway do Sky actually hold over BSI/IMG?

[ladyluck]

I can understand the theory behind giving Tai a second year, but I don't agree with it at all. If he wasn't a Brit there would be no chance of him getting a pick for next year and with Bomber looking safe the wild card would ensure 2 Brits at Cardiff.

How much sway do Sky actually hold over BSI/IMG?

 

I didn't agree with giving him a nomination for 2010 and I agree that he shouldn't have a nomination for 2011, but I am confident that he will get a nomination.

[Mark]

I don't think some of the Hierachy would allow 4 poles and 2 danes tbh. Top 8 will stay the same, with the wildcards going to Andersen, Pedersen, Saifutidnov and then one out of Kolodziej, Jonsson or a brit. Imo Andersen has done more than Jonsson this year by making two finals to Jonssons one, whilst also picking up injuries on the way, Jonsson has had no troubles this year and ever since that exclusion in the semi earlier in the year just doesn't look interested, at least Andersen is trying.

 

of all the permutations this is the one i think will happen. Andersen, Pedersen and Emil all injured. Plus Tai Woofenden will get a 2nd season to see if he can get better

Edited September 30, 2010 by Mark

[Mateusz]

The latest news I read say that it's gonna be: Emil, Pedersen, Kolodziej and Brit or U21 World Champ.

[f-s-p]

The latest news I read say that it's gonna be: Emil, Pedersen, Kolodziej and Brit or U21 World Champ.

The last I heard it's gonna be Kauko Nieminen and Joonas Kylmäkorpi with HA and NP. The latter two having to pay serious "get'in"money to hold their places...