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2014 Wild Cards - 3 World Champs ?


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Gollob doesn't seem to have that desire to win anymore and looking at his scores in 2014, he seems to have most of his good scores at Torun which may save his top 8 status. If he fails to finish in the top 8 with Hampel and KK above him and Magic and Dudek qualify, then it will be hard to see them give him a wild card to make it 5 Poles in a field of 15.

 

 

When he missed the cut off some years ago, he was made the wild card in all rounds. Someone got injured and tracks were then given the chance to name a wild card one more. Maybe they will do that again ?

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Surely Lindgren doesn't deserve yet another wild card does he, I've lost count of how many he's had. Bring in more from the challenge to freshen up the series.

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Surely Lindgren doesn't deserve yet another wild card does he, I've lost count of how many he's had. Bring in more from the challenge to freshen up the series.

 

Lindgren is the Chris Harris of Sweden, sadly a bit of a charity case at this level. A shame as he's been a great league rider. Saying that at least he's come out and said he doesn't want to rely on a Wild Card this time;

 

http://www.speedwaygp.com/news/article/2761/freddie-forget-wild-cards

 

Talking of Harris, now is about the time he usually starts begging BSI for a place. Surely he's not even on the radar this time around though? Although I think Gollob has gone off the boil lately, if he wants to continue, it'll be laughable if he doesn't get a Wild Card for next season. Especially when you consider the likes of Harris and Lindgren have a history of getting them.

 

As things stand (with Holder certain to miss out), the four best Wild Cards would be;

 

Chris Holder

Darcy Ward

Tomasz Gollob

Grig Laguta.

 

However I suspect they'll use Jonsson's injury ravaged season as a reason to give him another shot (although he wasn't set to qualify before his latest injury). Maybe Janowski to replace Gollob? (if the former doesn't qualify from the Challenge).

 

JT.

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Surely Lindgren doesn't deserve yet another wild card does he, I've lost count of how many he's had. Bring in more from the challenge to freshen up the series.

 

Didn't he come 7th last season and qualify on his own right ?

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Whats the crack, for lets say NKI, KK, and Zagar all stay in the top 8 and are the top 3 in the challenge? Will it go to the next 3 riders?

 

Must there be at least 1 brit, dane, swede, aussie, pole in every GP series? Whats the criteria for min requirment of nations?

 

Holder/Ward must get a wildcard if they dont get through.

Hancock or Gollob if neither get in. Dont want both.

3+4 Fresh new blood who do well at the challenge but fail to get through,Jankowski/MJJ, Vaculik probably deserves another chance

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i'm amazed that people are suggesting that Tomasz Gollob would not deserve a wild card if he chooses to ride in the SGP next season and needs one.

 

The guy has been amazing entertainment value in the SGP and, before that ,since his 1st Individual World Final appearance in 1993 when he finished in 7th place on 8pts in Pocking (Greg Hancock finishing 16th on 2pts). Unlucky in Vojens the following year when he retired from the meeting after two pointless rides and then, of course, in 1995 - the first year of the SGP series, after winning the opening GP in Wroclaw, he lost in a race-off for 8th place and automatic qualifiction into the '96 SGP series after only gaining 9pts in the infamous 'London' GP at Hackney, when Hancock (20pts), Loram (17) and Gustafsson (16) had started behind him the standings. In 1996, Tomasz competed in only 3 of the 6 SGPs finishing in overall 12th place, 11pts behind an automatic qualifying position. In '97 Mr G finished 3rd in the series wearing the No. 13 race jacket, since when Tomasz has been one of the most consistent top 8 finishers.

 

Is it 20 SGP wins? (OK a number in Poland, but a number not.) Could have been more and should have been another in New Zealand this season but for a bad gate pick in the Final.

 

With Latvia, Slovenia, Stockholm and Torun SGPs to go, I personally wouldn't rule out another top 8 finish, especially with Chris Holder only 14pts ahead. And if NKI and Matej Zagar were to finish in the top 3 of the GP Challenge.......

 

I, for one - and maybe the only one, feels that the SGP series will be diminshed when Mr G is no longer in it.

Edited by macca56
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So what ? Well it means he qualified by right and didn't have a wild card. It's pretty obvious Ghosty

 

Could you tell me how many times Freddie qualified on his own and how many times he have gotten a wild card.

I think he has one qualification via GP-challenge and one top 8. The rest is wild cards. THAT is what matters.

 

i'm amazed that people are suggesting that Tomasz Gollob would not deserve a wild card if he chooses to ride in the SGP next season and needs one.

 

The guy has been amazing entertainment value in the SGP and, before that ,since his 1st Individual World Final appearance in 1993

 

I'm amazed that some people are suggesting that Gollob would deserve a wild card.

 

I agree that he have been one of the most entertaining riders through the years but those days are long gone. Tomek is no longer the GP-rider he once was.

You can't hand out wild card based on something that was 5-10-15-20 years ago. You have to look at this season and at next season.

 

He didn't look to interested last year and even less interested this year.

 

Its time to let go of the old generation and welcome the new generation with Emil, Tai, Darcy, Holder, MJJ, Dudek, Janowski...

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Could you tell me how many times Freddie qualified on his own and how many times he have gotten a wild card.

I think he has one qualification via GP-challenge and one top 8. The rest is wild cards. THAT is what matters.

 

Haven't a clue. Will accept your figure Ghosty.

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Out of the three riders named in the first post, I think only Chris Holder will be in the GP's next season. I think that both Gollob and Hancock will retire from the International scene at the end of this season. Think Ward will scrape through in his own right, but if not he has to have a wild card. I think the wild cards should only be used for certain cases, such as Holders or any other top rider getting injured and missing most of the season and maybe if somebody misses out by just a couple of points.

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WOULD be very surprised if Hancock quits and don't think anyone could dispute his right to a wild card ... twice a World Champion and an ever-preset in the series since its inception.

 

Gollob's body language suggests that he is not 100 per cent interested anymore which is also in sharp contrast to Greg.

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Gollob's body language suggests that he is not 100 per cent interested anymore which is also in sharp contrast to Greg.

 

Agreed, he's lost his mojo and I do hope he "does a Crumpie" and announces he's retiring at the end of the season.

 

It really isn't nice seeing him the way he's currently riding.

 

Niamh

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WOULD be very surprised if Hancock quits and don't think anyone could dispute his right to a wild card ... twice a World Champion and an ever-preset in the series since its inception.

 

Gollob's body language suggests that he is not 100 per cent interested anymore which is also in sharp contrast to Greg.

Barry Briggs was a 4! time world champion but I would dispute his right to a wild card.
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Could you tell me how many times Freddie qualified on his own and how many times he have gotten a wild card.

I think he has one qualification via GP-challenge and one top 8. The rest is wild cards. THAT is what matters.

 

 

 

I'm amazed that some people are suggesting that Gollob would deserve a wild card.

 

I agree that he have been one of the most entertaining riders through the years but those days are long gone. Tomek is no longer the GP-rider he once was.

You can't hand out wild card based on something that was 5-10-15-20 years ago. You have to look at this season and at next season.

 

He didn't look to interested last year and even less interested this year.

 

Its time to let go of the old generation and welcome the new generation with Emil, Tai, Darcy, Holder, MJJ, Dudek, Janowski...

 

Agreed he has looked off the pace, lacking in confidence and disinterested in a few SGPs this season, but dumping Tomasz after 4 x low scoring SGPs is a bit rich. His fitness is under question and his choice of bikes and gate picks is frustrating, but it all adds to the enigma that is the 2010 World Champion.

 

Out of 8 x SGPs this year, Mr G has top scored in two and been in the Final of three. Currently in 9th place in the SGP standings with 68pts, 3pts behind Greg and 14pts behind Chris Holder, with Latvia, Slovenia, Stockholm & Torun to go, there is still every chance that Tomasz will finish in the top 8 and, if he didn't, the offer of a WC for 2014 would be automatic IMHO.

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Agreed Ailurus Fulgens

 

My money, if I had any, would be on Iversen and Zagar to be in top 3 and qualify automatically too, but we'll see. Should be a fascinating meeting the Challenge.

 

Best Regards.

 

Edited to add: Typical Mr G in the European Championship tonight. 2 x ducks then 2 x wins including one over Emil.

 

On the evidence of his 3rd & 4th heats, Tomasz is well worth his place in the SGP this and next season. On the evidence of his first two rides he's not. Mercurial or just frustrating?

 

Edited to change 2 x wins to 3 x wins and on the evidence of his 3rd, 4th & 5th rides :-) Liked Mr G's kevlars tonight too.

Edited by macca56
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