T.N.T. Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Only 2 rounds of the 2011 Grand Prix Series are left to run and the current standings make it odds on that Greg Hancock will be World Champion for the second time in a long and brilliant career while the top 8 are divided by a 10 point gap to Nicki Pedersen in 9th with Fredrik Lindgren two behind him. 11th in line is Antonio Lindback who has already qualified for next year and then there is a 25 point gap between 10th placed Lindgren and 12th placed, Chris Harris who despite being the only Brit in the line up will be unlikely to get a nomination for next season. With GP Qualifiers, Pepe Protasiewicz and Bjarne Pedersen replacing Artem Laguta and Janusz Kolodiej and almost certainly the brilliant Darcy Ward replacing Rune Holta, it looks like they will stick with the current top ten leaving just ONE place to fill ...... but by who ? POSSIBLE 2012 LINE UP 1 Greg Hancock 2 Jarek Hampel 3 Andreas Jonsson 4 Jason Crump 5 Tomasz Gollob 6 Chris Holder 7 Emil Sayfutdinov 8 Kenneth Bjerre 9 Nicki Pedersen 10 Fredrik Lindgren 11 Antonio Lindback 12 Bjarne Pedersen 13 Piotr Protasiewicz 14 Darcy Ward 15 ............ ? Will Harris get the last place or will the highest averaging Brit, Tai Woffinden get another chance ? Who else is there that will enhance the line up more and why ? Personally I cant really see anyone that stands out and would much rather the 15th spot given to a rider in form going into that meeting with the 16th place given to a rider from the country holding the GP Views ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryW Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I wouldn't be sure that Freddie has guaranteed himself a place just yet. His battling performance last night in Denmark did his chances a lot of good, but I suspect that he needs to follow that up with good results in the last 2 rounds to ensure his place. THJ is nipping his heels as a Swedish contender for a pick. I agree that Darcy is sure to be offered a place...The only question is whether he feels he is ready to take it. Despite the utterly pathetic efforts of Chris Harris this season, it's hard to see who could replace him if they want a Brit in the series. Tai has already said that he doesn't want the place. Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson surely would need to make their way through the qualifiers in the style of Bjarne and PePe if they ever want to see SGP action again. Ben Barker? I seriously hope not! Other than Darcy, the best rider outside the series is Grigory Laguta in my opinion. Sadly, I suspect that his chances of getting a nomination are pretty slim, which is a shame as he is a fantastically exciting rider to watch and would enhance the spectacle of the series greatly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I think it'll be the top eleven at the end of the comp, three qualifiers and Darcy. Can't see Bomber not getting a guernsey; he scored the same as Tomasz on Saturday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryW Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Can't see Bomber not getting a guernsey; he scored the same as Tomasz on Saturday night. Oh come on. Is that how we decide it now? Artem Laguta outscored them both...Best give him a place in 2012 too. Tomek has been having a mare since his big crash with Zagar in the Polish league. Matching his poor return last night isn't exactly something to be proud of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImpartialOne Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 (edited) Lindgren is fast becoming the Swedish Harris. Hardly ever qualifies on merit and for me he does little to enhance the series. Unless he qualifies on merit, both he and Harris should miss out next year. Riders I would consider other than Ward: Thomas Jonasson Troy Batchelor Rory Schlein Przemek Pawlicki If a Brit is to be nominated, Tai Woffinden. Edited September 11, 2011 by ImpartialOne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WembleyLion Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 As things stand at the moment I think the nominations will be Nicki and Darcy for sure. Freddie then has a good chance but I feel he needs to do well in the next two rounds. I agree with T.N.T. that no other rider stands out for the remaining place although if the organisers decide it has to be a British rider it will surely be Bomber and he will have to count himself extremely fortunate should that be the case. I also feel that if any of the riders currently in the top 8 are displaced they will be nominated for 2012. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryW Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Totally shocked that both of the previous posters leave Grigory Laguta off their list for a potential nomination. Impartial One even suggested Rory Schlein as an option, but left out Grigory. I'll have my money on Grigory to beat Rory every time they meet on a proper racers track...Oh, maybe that's why Grigory was left out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImpartialOne Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Totally shocked that both of the previous posters leave Grigory Laguta off their list for a potential nomination. Impartial One even suggested Rory Schlein as an option, but left out Grigory. I'll have my money on Grigory to beat Rory every time they meet on a proper racers track...Oh, maybe that's why Grigory was left out To be honest, I haven't seen much of Laguta this year apart from him wobbling all over the place to stop Schlein overtaking him in Sweden last week. I'd need to see better than that to be convinced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flagrag Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I am pretty certain there will be a British rider in the GP in 2012 for commercial reasons who that rider may be is less clear with Harris already having a few chances,Woffy already ruling himself out,Kennett not so good on continent and problems in UK and unlikely that Nicholls or Richardson would want to do it so may be Harris again unless go for younger rider like Barker,king or Bridger. Darcy Ward can't commit to 2012 yet as has some outstanding things that need sorting out and the Laguta brothers I am told burned their bridges with BSI over the Cardiff and Kings Lynn fiasco with visas. I would be surprised if Poles get another place and if do expect will be a Pawlicki brother or Janowski if wins U21 championship Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Totally shocked that both of the previous posters leave Grigory Laguta off their list for a potential nomination. Impartial One even suggested Rory Schlein as an option, but left out Grigory. I'll have my money on Grigory to beat Rory every time they meet on a proper racers track...Oh, maybe that's why Grigory was left out I should have put a smiley after my comment on Bomber's score, Henry. Alas most of Rory's high scores of late seem to have come on tracks that are difficult to master, rather than so-called 'proper racers tracks' like EOES, Brandon and Wimborne Rd - er, hang on a minute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryW Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 I should have put a smiley after my comment on Bomber's score, Henry. Lol...I did wonder about that comment Alas most of Rory's high scores of late seem to have come on tracks that are difficult to master, rather than so-called 'proper racers tracks' like EOES, Brandon and Wimborne Rd - er, hang on a minute! Don't get me wrong, I think Rory is a great rider. He mastered the Dale when he was with us, what more do you need to know about a rider However, as much as I like Rory, I still think my money would be on Grigory. Apparently the UK Government seem determined to keep Grigory away from racing our tracks so we might never know how well he handles Peterborough, Coventry or Poole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 For crying out loud don't put us through another year of Chris Harris. I cant believe people are still falling for his machinery excuses, he's simply delusional. I genuinely believe he has had so many free passes he has become a primadona (sacking people etc), which is a shame as he always appeared down to earth before his years of freeloading. Sure he did well last season, but that was after years of gifts, now he has blown anther chance, let someone else have a go and attract the sponsorship that comes with a place in the series. Saying he is the best Brit is like saying syphilis is the best of the STI's. I still wouldn't want it.... JT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoMinuteWarning Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 For crying out loud don't put us through another year of Chris Harris. Here here. Give the Brit spot to Nick Morris! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCookie Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Neither Harris nor Lindgren deserve a place IMO. Both have shown that on the whole they are not good enough. Lets bring some new faces in, hopefully some exciting riders to make up for Bjarne/PePe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabbsjoe Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 i've got a feeling Ward won't take a place in the GP's even if he is offered one. Also think the new ruling in Poland may effect a few things. Could we see a case in Poland of some teams paying certain riders more not to ride in the GP's so that they can be in the team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 i've got a feeling Ward won't take a place in the GP's even if he is offered one. Also think the new ruling in Poland may effect a few things. Could we see a case in Poland of some teams paying certain riders more not to ride in the GP's so that they can be in the team POSSIBLY but would rather defeat the object of one GP rider per team which is to reduce their wage bills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabbsjoe Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 POSSIBLY but would rather defeat the object of one GP rider per team which is to reduce their wage bills. looking at the polish teams the majority of them have 2 Gp riders in there teams now (Zielona Gora have 3 of next years Gp riders). surely by bringing in this rule to reduce wage bills they are increasing the value of the better riders that aren't in the Gp's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mothorsen Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Don't know really. I believe Lindbäck is going to pass Lindgren, and even that Holta (allthough a horrible meeting at Vojens) is going to pass Harris. Lindgren is a lock for many, it seems, but why? He will need to pass Nicki at least to be in concideration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 How many years in a row would Nicki be getting a free pass if he doesn't qualify this year? More than Bomber would be currently on for sure. Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilWatson Posted September 15, 2011 Report Share Posted September 15, 2011 How many years in a row would Nicki be getting a free pass if he doesn't qualify this year? More than Bomber would be currently on for sure. Niamh 2011 is Nicki's first wild-card, and he was World Champion in three of the eight previous series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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