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Sheffield 2013


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Excellent post - and one that should be taken to heart by promoters and riders alike.

 

It would be great if the sport was awash with cash, but it isn't.

 

Some promoters have been responsible with their teambuilding - more so this winter - and should be commended. Hopefully gone are the days of a quid on the points money and a quid on the gate money - whether it can be justified or not.

 

Maybe this attitude will drive the necessary cost-cutting that brings an end to the situation we have at present where the only ones making real money are a handful of tuners. Sad though it'll be, if it means losing one or two along the way, so be it.

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Personally i think Wells is going to sign sometime soon, its obvious.

 

Here's my view of the lineup so far, please let me know if you feel the same.

 

Stead: The out and out number 1 we have needed, feel he will do a bit of a Sean Wilson and be pretty much untouchable around Owlerton and will pull in good point away, will have a solid season as skipper and can only benefit the younger guys.

 

Haines: Showed flashes of his old self towards the end of the season, chipped in with some good points at home and on the road. Im expecting a further step up from Hainesy this year.

 

Albin: Unknown to me until we signed him! ive done some scouting around and from what ive seen and read he is a hard racing young rider with great hunger. On good machinery, and with the leadership of Stead i think this kid could suprise a few people, the signing reminds me of Legault.

 

Koppe: I for one was quite excited about Koppe's signature, he can ride a bike, and is another hard racer. Can he cut it in the PL ? I think its going to take Damian quite a few meetings before he gets really dialled in and settled, but you never know, dont write him off too soon.

 

Hall: A signing that I could see coming a mile off. Big season for Richard, He is an owlerton track specialist and on his day there he can be unbeatable. I really like Richards desire and will to want to ride for Sheffield it pleases me, however we need a bit more solidarity on the away circuits, nothing would please me more than to see Richard scoring big points away... but can he do it? we shall see.

 

Knight: I think when Jake's signing was announced i was in shock for a few minutes as at the time there were some really hot 3 pointers available, however it's all about giving the young Brits a break and a shot in the PL. Jake has a good pedigree, is very focused and comes to us with some good machinery. From what I have seen he can ride but PL competiton is high, can he keep up with the pace ? i hope so, Jake seems like a good lad who wants to go far. Some may disagree but this signing reminds me a little of the Sam Martin capture a few seasons back.

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Odsal boy, agree with you on Simon Stead, although I see him being more of an Andre Compton (in his best days), there to set an example to the rest of the team and keeping the points clicking up.

Joe I also believe will give as good as last year, although this year in the main body of the team it will make it more difficult to add to his average and maintaining his average at there or there abouts will be good enough for me.

Albin & Koppe are really unknowns, some see as a bit of a gamble, but both I think will prove the risk and one or the other (hope both) will maintain their assessed average.

Jake, well saw him last year and to be honest I wasn't impressed. Both when he rode as number 8 in PL and in the second halves a couple of times, he just didn't seem to have the pace. Hope I'm wrong and that he comes on strong from the very beginning, but I can see him being an early casualty to team improvements.

Richard Hall, yes he can be absolutely brilliant & breath taking at times around Owlerton, but doesn't do it every week, plus his away form is poor. I really would like to see him improve away from home and I might wander further a field this year - weather permitting!

Ricky Wells????? well we all know what he needs to do!

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I think steady will be consistant and hold his average and could form a good opening pairing with joe.With Albin and Koppe i think we have got to see how they shape up in practice then put the best one at reserve.I expect wells to sign and stay at 5 with hally hiding at 4 again.I think jake may struggle and if changes are to be made he will be dropped and replaced with whoever.Strange to read that schrammy has invested heavily in machinary ! might have been worth a shot at reserve with his experience.

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From and outsiders point of view;

 

Simon Stead is one of the most naturally gifted motorcyclists I have seen. His style is so easy in the eye. He is never out of a race, he is a pure racer. For me he was the difference maker in the elite league grand final last season. I think Simon will average over 10 at home and around 8 away. I don't think any rider is unbeatable at home, as much as I admire Simon I think it's unfair to compare him to a legend like Wilson. That's not to say that his signing won't galvanise the team, I think it will. A rider who can go out heat 1 win the race and set the tone. I do feel on the road there is a danger Simon could be battling alone at times.

 

Hall- for me I actually quite like Richard Hall. I thought he looked good at Leicester the season he was there. He was thrills and spills. As a monarchs fan he reminds me of Andrew Tully, good at home, inconsistent away. I think Richard needs to just get his head down more away from home. But I do enjoy watching him as I love racers.

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on another direction also, I like the style of the Sheffield racejackets, the wide shoulders and bib style look suits the riders well, have always been a fan of those. I would like to see a slightly different patter/ style on them though, maybe even a bit of gold.

 

There's no chance of seeing anything gold in Sheffield this year, or silver for that matter!

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The one thing I hope that the Team Management get the riding order right home and away.

 

I think at home at least we have to go with Joe Haines partnering Simon Stead at 1 and 2.

 

Why Joe at number 2?

 

Think of the riders that have been best riders at number 2 in recent years, Skidmore and Wilson, the one thing that Joe has in common with those riders is an ability to gate very well. That would give Joe gates 1 or 2 which especially in the earlier heats when the track has had chance to settle means that gating is important.

 

I also think that at home we need to have Richard Hall riding at number 5, and then move him to 3 or 4 for away matches.

 

The one thing that they must do next season is play to the riders strength and be prepared to rotate rider riding positions.

Edited by spin king
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