Darcy Ward

[SCB]

I was a big fan of Mark, but i think your wrong there, Darcy is far more naturally gifted than Mark. Mark had to work for what he got, Darcy finds it all so naturally easy, the same applies to Brady Kurtz. Anyway, i thought you'd left..Clearly not..

Agree totally on Loram but to compare Kurtz to Loram..... I'm lost for words. Kurtz is good but I'm not sure he's as great as some think.

[Red Flag]

Was michanek really a great?

nowhere near one hit wonder

[Midland Red]

Darcy is the most talented rider I've ever seen, end of...

 

April 1st? Comedy Central?

What John McEnroe said!

[Terry]

For me, Tony Rickardsson is the greatest rider ever.

 

Obviously there's the 6 titles, but one particular meeting sticks in my mind. It was the final round of the 2000 gp season and Tony had to start in the pre-main event.

 

In those five rides to get to the final he was practically at the first bend before his three opponents had left the starting line, and he rode 20 absolutely faultless laps.

 

Thankfully, Mark Loram got the second place he needed in the consolation final to win the championship, because if he hadn't there's no way Rickardsson wouldn't have won that final.

 

Like Gavan, the great Loramski is my all time favourite rider too.

I remember him in after meeting demonstration races at Hackney at 15 clocking faster times than Malcolm Simmons (who was still division one standard in 1986)achieved during the meeting.

[SCB]

For me, Tony Rickardsson is the greatest rider ever.

 

Obviously there's the 6 titles, but one particular meeting sticks in my mind. It was the final round of the 2000 gp season and Tony had to start in the pre-main event.

 

In those five rides to get to the final he was practically at the first bend before his three opponents had left the starting line, and he rode 20 absolutely faultless laps.

 

Thankfully, Mark Loram got the second place he needed in the consolation final to win the championship, because if he hadn't there's no way Rickardsson wouldn't have won that final.

 

Like Gavan, the great Loramski is my all time favourite rider too.

I remember him in after meeting demonstration races at Hackney at 15 clocking faster times than Malcolm Simmons (who was still division one standard in 1986)achieved during the meeting.

If I had to pick one Rickardsson ride it was about 2001-2002ish at a Swedish GP on a temp track. He made the gate and hit a rut on the 2nd bend causing him to lift in such a way anyone else would have been on their backside. That should have bene his race over, there had barely been a pass. But Tony got the bike back down and went after the 3rd placed guy, got him, went after 2nd. You think he'd be happy with that as it was in the days and 1st and 2nd was all you needed but no he hunted down the leader and took the win himself.

[Terry]

If I had to pick one Rickardsson ride it was about 2001-2002ish at a Swedish GP on a temp track. He made the gate and hit a rut on the 2nd bend causing him to lift in such a way anyone else would have been on their backside. That should have bene his race over, there had barely been a pass. But Tony got the bike back down and went after the 3rd placed guy, got him, went after 2nd. You think he'd be happy with that as it was in the days and 1st and 2nd was all you needed but no he hunted down the leader and took the win himself.

I remember that, phenomenal rider. I've always thought that Grigory Laguta has a similar riding style...If a little taller.

[stratton]

are you honestly saying you would have Leigh Adams above Nicki Pedersen in a list of great riders! In what respect? 3 x world champion against a two time rostrum placer! By your reckoning Jarek Hampel must be better then Nicki? Don't get me wrong as a person Adams is miles ahead but as a rider achieving greatness he is behind Nicki. no he isnt. I would say Mark Loram was more naturally talented than DarcyIf you are looking for the word great in relation to speedway riders than Adams shouldn't be in the top 20. My favourite ever rider was Loram but even with only 1 world title I'm not sure he would make my top 20. Nicki Pedersen has to be in the top 20. Darcy Ward! Laughable to call him great he hasn't achieved anything of note yet. I say yet because the potential is there to be great but sadly the attitude isn't. My list would be Mauger Rickardsson Fundin Briggs Hancock Pedersen Nielsen Gundersen Olsen Penhall Craven Crump Lee Collins Ermolenko Wilkinson Jan O Pedersen Gollob Jonsson and ok for sentiment Loram. I don't think you can be classed as a true great without at least 1 world crown. Riders like Adams Knudsen and Morton for example were fantastic in the leagues but lacked something extra

You hit the nail on the head for me what you said about Ward ATTITUDE, that's why Pedersen will never be in my top 20.Win of course but there is a proper way of dong thing's and he has overstepped the mark endless times.

[sommelier]

Agree totally on Loram but to compare Kurtz to Loram..... I'm lost for words. Kurtz is good but I'm not sure he's as great as some think.

Kurtz on this years improvement, & if he cary's on improving the way he is, imo will go further than Ward!

[Starman2006]

Agree totally on Loram but to compare Kurtz to Loram..... I'm lost for words. Kurtz is good but I'm not sure he's as great as some think.

Er, how old is Kurtz ? and im comparing Kurtz to Darcy. and how many times have you watched him, not many i would guess.

[SteveLyric2]

Er, how old is Kurtz ? and im comparing Kurtz to Darcy. and how many times have you watched him, not many i would guess.

Jack Holder is better than Brady Kurtz!!!.....at least he was yesterday.

[sommelier]

Jack Holder is better than Brady Kurtz!!!.....at least he was yesterday.

To be honest i've only watched Jack in 9 meetings, & very impressive

[fatface]

You hit the nail on the head for me what you said about Ward ATTITUDE, that's why Pedersen will never be in my top 20.Win of course but there is a proper way of dong thing's and he has overstepped the mark endless times.

Both have attitude, that's true. But I think you are tarring two very different riders with the same brush. Darcy Ward is brilliantly talented but his unprofessional attitude has held him back. Nicki Pedersen would make few people's lists as one of the most talented riders ever, but it's his ultra determined attitude and professionalism that has earned him three World titles and kept him at the top of the sport for nigh on 12 years. There's a big difference there.

 

I guess it also depends on what sort of top 20 you are looking at. If it's your favourites, then again Nicki would not make many lists. If it's the all-time greats then you won't find many who have a list of achievements better than Nicki Pedersen.

[TheReturn]

Both have attitude, that's true. But I think you are tarring two very different riders with the same brush.

 

Ward does not seem to know between right and wrong. Nicki messes up track, but when did we last hear of Nicki's off track/stadium antics causing problems?

[Ghostwalker]

Both have attitude, that's true. But I think you are tarring two very different riders with the same brush. Darcy Ward is brilliantly talented but his unprofessional attitude has held

him back. Nicki Pedersen would make few people's lists as one of the most talented riders ever, but it's his ultra determined attitude and professionalism that has earned him

three World titles and kept him at the top of the sport for nigh on 12 years. There's a big difference there.

 

I guess it also depends on what sort of top 20 you are looking at. If it's your favourites, then again Nicki would not make many lists. If it's the all-time greats then you won't find many

who have a list of achievements better than Nicki Pedersen.

 

The riders know where they have Nicki, they know what to expect but with Darcy, how do they know if he is sober or over the limit?

[Trees]

Riders NEVER know what Nicki will do, I suspect they have no qualms about racing side by side with Ward!!!

[Ghostwalker]

Riders NEVER know what Nicki will do, I suspect they have no qualms about racing side by side with Ward!!!

 

I suspect they do. Would you want to race side by side by someone who possible is under the influence of alcohol?

[Gavan]

Its laughable that people compare Nicki and Darcy. Ones been a multi world champion the other had achieved little of note so far. Nicki has been at the top rank of world speedway for over 10 years. Darcy hasn't really managed 1 year so far. Nicki has so much dedication and the correct attitude and Ward is just a troubled fool. As said many times its up to Ward to become a great but he doesn't seem to have the mentality. Ward will be remembered like a Kelly Moran the way he is going.

[foreverblue]

 

I suspect they do. Would you want to race side by side by someone who possible is under the influence of alcohol?

Would you want to race side by side with someone who is likely to stuff you in the fence.

 

Your trying to make out he races drunk most of the time whereas in truth he made one mistake and has paid the price

Edited June 29, 2015 by foreverblue

[Red Panda]

 

I suspect they do. Would you want to race side by side by someone who possible is under the influence of alcohol?

All riders should be tested before a GP not just random tests..............when you look back at the 80's and 90's and earlier how many riders got on a bike having had a pint before hand.............

 

I wish people would stop thinking he is going to do it again...........there is no guarantee he will there is no guarantee he won't but I would say the chances are he won't..............

 

RP

[stratton]

Both have attitude, that's true. But I think you are tarring two very different riders with the same brush. Darcy Ward is brilliantly talented but his unprofessional attitude has held him back. Nicki Pedersen would make few people's lists as one of the most talented riders ever, but it's his ultra determined attitude and professionalism that has earned him three World titles and kept him at the top of the sport for nigh on 12 years. There's a big difference there.

I guess it also depends on what sort of top 20 you are looking at. If it's your favourites, then again Nicki would not make many lists. If it's the all-time greats then you won't find many who have a list of achievements better than Nicki Pedersen.

All time greats he would not even get a mention, for me i could name twenty better riders than him and who were all more fairer and more liked than Pedersen.

Its laughable that people compare Nicki and Darcy. Ones been a multi world champion the other had achieved little of note so far. Nicki has been at the top rank of world speedway for over 10 years. Darcy hasn't really managed 1 year so far. Nicki has so much dedication and the correct attitude and Ward is just a troubled fool. As said many times its up to Ward to become a great but he doesn't seem to have the mentality. Ward will be remembered like a Kelly Moran the way he is going.

A troubled fool do you know the bloke personally? i also remember Kelly as a much loved rider mega talented a great racer and i have never heard a bad word about Kelly.Gavan at times you spout total rubbish we all GET!!!! you don't like Ward but give it a rest.!