Darcy Ward

[Blazeaway]

Can you honestly say hand on your heart that Hancock or Woffinden as a good racing brain than Ward enough though I hate to say it. IMO Ward is by far more naturally talented than either of those will ever be, I know you can say they have been world champions.

Yes they both have. Ward is on very fast bikes.

[Ghostwalker]

Maybe the Star could do a piece on how often the testers are out and how many riders are are tested,if as NKI has states its like a litmus paper test it cant be

too difficult to test everyone. Also find out how often its done in other countries,are they adhering tighter to the rules than GB.

 

I read a comment from a Swedish rider when the result of Dudeks A-test was revealed and he said that he hardly ever had been

tested but that more frequent tests were needed.

[SPEEDY69]

Can you honestly say hand on your heart that Hancock or Woffinden as a good racing brain than Ward enough though I hate to say it. IMO Ward is by far more naturally talented than either of those will ever be, I know you can say they have been world champions.

yes, they have better 'racing brains' and no, he's also not more naturally talented.

[sommelier]

Yes they both have. Ward is on very fast bikes.

Wards tuner is the same as Woffindens!

yes, they have better 'racing brains' and no, he's also not more naturally talented.

Well I have really learned something off you I have only been watching speedway seriously at least 3 live meetings a week since 1967 wow you should really educate me if you think anybody in the last ten years as a better racing brain especially on first turns then I would like to know who. You must be some serious knowledge on speedway, sounds like I could learn from you !!!!!!!!!

[PHILIPRISING]

Maybe the Star could do a piece on how often the testers are out and how many riders are are tested,if as NKI has states its like a litmus paper test it cant be too difficult to test everyone. Also find out how often its done in other countries,are they adhering tighter to the rules than GB.

AS I said previously, these drug tests are unannounced beforehand and not publicised afterwards unless they are positive. Will ask some of the non Brits in Gorzow next weekend whether they have been tested this year

[sommelier]

Wasnt use of coke, weed and speed in common use by the yanks in the 80s ("allegedly"). I don't remember any of them faiking drugs tests though schwartz was fined for being caught with drugs at Heathrow and of course Shawn was stripped of his silver medal for fsiling a prior test (though that was for something a doctor had prescribed from memory).

 

Ward is nore naturally talented, a better racer and team rider. He is the best rider in the world to watch. BUT you cant argue with results, and they say that both tai and greg are better than darcy, primarily due to their consistrncy and darcys comparatively poor gating.

Agree with you 100 percent

[SPEEDY69]

Wards tuner is the same as Woffindens!

Well I have really learned something off you I have only been watching speedway seriously at least 3 live meetings a week since 1967 wow you should really educate me if you think anybody in the last ten years as a better racing brain especially on first turns then I would like to know who. You must be some serious knowledge on speedway, sounds like I could learn from you !!!!!!!!!

you're never too old to learn buddy.

[sommelier]

you're never too old to learn buddy.

Then tell me who!

[arnieg]

Can you honestly say hand on your heart that Hancock or Woffinden as a good racing brain than Ward enough though I hate to say it. IMO Ward is by far more naturally talented than either of those will ever be, I know you can say they have been world champions.

Ask me again in 20 years - if Darcy is still in the GPs (assuming that BSI's inability to run a piss up in a brewery hasn't killied them off), and competing for the world title then I might accept that you're claim has some credence.

[Bruiser McHuge]

Reports of Darcy being "dehydrated" no doubt would have not best pleased his sponsors, Monster.

 

With a limitless supply of the energy drink at his disposal, to claim to be dehydrated doesn't make Monster's ability to rehydrate and energize seem very good does it?

Monster or Red Bull doesn't re hydrate you...it's not an isotonic drink it's a high caffeine energy drink...completely different...you'd never drink Monster at half time in a football match.....if he wanted to rehydrate then water is best or isotonic drinks

 

I think to be over the limit at at a speedway meeting is a disgrace really...if he had been involved in an accident which hurt an opponent then how could he live with himself....sure the alcohol may not actually have been the reason but Ward would know it was there and he would never ever be 100% sure that it hadn't affected him one tiny bit ....he'd have to live with that so why put yourself in that position in the first place..

[DSC67]

Darcy is not the Messiah , he's a very naughty boy

[BWitcher]

Can you honestly say hand on your heart that Hancock or Woffinden as a good racing brain than Ward enough though I hate to say it. IMO Ward is by far more naturally talented than either of those will ever be, I know you can say they have been world champions.

 

It may have bypassed you, but the object of speedway is to win races. The best riders are judged by how many they win.

 

At the highest level of the sport Hancock and Woffinden are ahead of Ward. It's really quite simple.

Wards tuner is the same as Woffindens!

Well I have really learned something off you I have only been watching speedway seriously at least 3 live meetings a week since 1967 wow you should really educate me if you think anybody in the last ten years as a better racing brain especially on first turns then I would like to know who. You must be some serious knowledge on speedway, sounds like I could learn from you !!!!!!!!!

 

Well you haven't learnt much have you.

 

If you are seriously suggesting that Ward has a better racing brain than Hancock you are seriously deluded. Hancock has managed to remain at the top of the sport for so long primarily down to his racing brain, where to position the bike, how to defend a lead. Ward is quite the opposite, he just flat out goes for it and very often its his poor decisions in big meetings (Grand Prix's) that cost him.

Agree with you 100 percent

How can you agree with him when he is disagreeing with you?

[Wackie]

Darcy is not the Messiah , he's a very naughty boy

 

That's a blatant attempt to Spam this thread!

[stevebrum]

Can you honestly say hand on your heart that Hancock or Woffinden as a good racing brain than Ward enough though I hate to say it. IMO Ward is by far more naturally talented than either of those will ever be, I know you can say they have been world champions.

 

 

Yes, and are better because they have achieved the pinnacle already.

Darcy remains exciting but destined to achieve little more at this stage..

[The White Knight]

Can you honestly say hand on your heart that Hancock or Woffinden as a good racing brain than Ward enough though I hate to say it. IMO Ward is by far more naturally talented than either of those will ever be, I know you can say they have been world champions.

What has Ward won when it comes to WORLD Titles?

 

Surely that is the yardstick you need to use when asking us to accept a statement like that.

 

The answer to the question is - NOTHING!!!

 

You even answered the question yourself. Surely saying that they were World Champions (which is something Ward will never be - unless he grows/wises up) you have to accept that currently they are more talented than Ward as they have BOTH won the Championship, one of them more than once.

Edp24.co.uk

 

Scroll down to Inside Track NKI column talking about drugs in speedway

 

 

 

Maybe this is it, it is taken from Eastern Daily Press.

 

I really don’t want to go into that incident too much but I’m sure it may serve as a bit of a wake-up call for everyone. Mind you, for me, it isn’t actually booze that the authorities need to worry about.

At every GP three or four riders are selected at random to give a breath sample. I’ve been selected a few times. I’ve got no problem with being selected. However, I don’t think anybody turns up intentionally looking to ride while they’re drunk.

Sometimes people can go off the rails, or have one too many, and they have to face the consequences when they do that – especially if the alcohol isn’t out of their system. It’s no different to having five pints, getting in the car and driving, and being stopped by the police that night or the following morning. Whether you like it or not you’re going to get nicked. But in my opinion there certainly isn’t a huge culture of drinking in our sport. I hardly drink. I very rarely used to have a couple of beers the night before when I was a bit younger, when you go out a bit more, but not now. I put everything into my family and racing. For me, I think the way forward though is to start testing more riders for drugs. You have sticks that you can urinate on and they can tell if you’re under the influence of any narcotics, like cocaine.

Speedway isn’t cycling. There isn’t a need to clamp down on performance-enhancing drugs as you don’t need those to ride a bike with an engine. You need a clear head and to be able to concentrate. But some drugs can help get rid of fear. They can make someone go for the smaller gaps and ride quicker. It’s those drugs that can be a benefit on the track and they are what need to be stopped. To put it simply, anyone taking drugs needs to be caught as the sport is dangerous enough as it is.

I’ve been tested by anti-doping agencies while riding in the Polish league. But sometimes people can get caught out with things like supplements and such. Patryk Dudek has been suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. However, some have said the sample contained stuff that is found in a diet supplement. If that’s the case, I feel sorry for him.

Accidents can happen with things like that – a lot of people take supplements, I drink protein shakes – but if you’re taking cocaine, or drinking alcohol, you know what you’re doing to yourself. I don’t think a punishment for failing a doping test should be more severe than failing a drink or drug one either.

 

 

 

Here is the link:

 

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/kings-lynn-stars/inside_track_2014_world_number_three_niels_kristian_iversen_s_weekly_look_inside_the_norfolk_arena_1_3733320

Thank you very much everyone.

Edited August 22, 2014 by The White Knight

[waiheke1]

What has Ward won when it comes to WORLD Titles? Surely that is the yardstick you need to use when asking us to accept a statement like that. The answer to the question is - NOTHING!!! You even answered the question yourself. Surely saying that they were World Champions (which is something Ward will never be - unless he grows/wises up) you have to accept that currently they are more talented than Ward as they have BOTH won the Championship, one of them more than once. Thank you very much everyone.

Tbf, the naturally talented claim is probably correct.

Its just that natural talent doesn't always equal success. Ivan mauger was far less naturally talented than the likes of collins lee morans etc, but achieved far more due to his professionalism. Tai reaped the rewards last year from changing to an ultra professional regime. Hancock is still racing at the top level at 45 due to his professional approach. Its also worth noting that all multi world champs have been very handy gaters.

Id suggest that shows at least two aspects ward needs to improve to truly fulfil his potential.

 

There is also arguably some argument that the most naturally gifted sportsmen seem to have a higher propensity to go off the rails - Maradona, best, gazza, botham, mike lee, kelly moran etc. Maybe because they don't need to work so hard or can get away - for a while- with a party lifestyle and still compete, maybe because their managers are more tolerant, maybe the blurred lines between genius and something less savoury?

[Bruiser McHuge]

When it comes to natural talent then Ward is one of the best natural talents I've ever seen....he is a rider I'd travel to watch but when it comes to a racing brain then he is miles behind Hancock , who I wouldn't travel to watch !........but to be where Hancock is at 44 is a brilliant tribute to his dedication, professionalism and racing brain

[sommelier]

When it comes to natural talent then Ward is one of the best natural talents I've ever seen....he is a rider I'd travel to watch but when it comes to a racing brain then he is miles behind Hancock , who I wouldn't travel to watch !........but to be where Hancock is at 44 is a brilliant tribute to his dedication, professionalism and racing brain

I totaly agree with you, Ward is so talented its like when I used to watch Mauger in the early 70's he was so ultra professional, but I much perfered to watch Olsen. Then came along Collins & Morton who I would much rather watch than say Simmo. Its like Rickardsson, what a rdier, but for me in that same era give me Gollob any day of the week to watch for sheer excitment. Take Adams do smooth year in year out, but give me Loran or Screen any day. Such a lot of sheer talent of riders like Cook st Ipswich Ott at Wimbledon had eminence natural ability on a bike.

The point that I'm making is I would find Wrad far more entertaning to watch than Hancock or Woffinden, I do think Woffinden can go on to be a Multi World champion. Will Ward be world champion, big question mark now, if he is not it will not be the lack of ability, the onlything to stop him his himself!

What has Ward won when it comes to WORLD Titles?

 

Surely that is the yardstick you need to use when asking us to accept a statement like that.

 

The answer to the question is - NOTHING!!!

 

You even answered the question yourself. Surely saying that they were World Champions (which is something Ward will never be - unless he grows/wises up) you have to accept that currently they are more talented than Ward as they have BOTH won the Championship, one of them more than once.

 

 

 

 

Thank you very much everyone.

 

I don't know if you are a new comer to speedway you state that Ward has won no world titles I will reminder you that Ward has won 2 WORLD under 21 titles.

[stratton]

I totaly agree with you, Ward is so talented its like when I used to watch Mauger in the early 70's he was so ultra professional, but I much perfered to watch Olsen. Then came along Collins & Morton who I would much rather watch than say Simmo. Its like Rickardsson, what a rdier, but for me in that same era give me Gollob any day of the week to watch for sheer excitment. Take Adams do smooth year in year out, but give me Loran or Screen any day. Such a lot of sheer talent of riders like Cook st Ipswich Ott at Wimbledon had eminence natural ability on a bike.

The point that I'm making is I would find Wrad far more entertaning to watch than Hancock or Woffinden, I do think Woffinden can go on to be a Multi World champion. Will Ward be world champion, big question mark now, if he is not it will not be the lack of ability, the onlything to stop him his himself!

Its funny over the years how people take preferences over riders, i preferred Briggs/Olsen over Mauger Ivan was a legend and often the benchmark from 69 onwards.Also i took Crump/Gollob/ Adams all day long over Rickardsson i was not a fan admired what he achieved though.Back to Ward he in my opinion is the most naturally talented rider i have seen after Lee/Gollob can he win it? of course i hope so.I hope he buckles down and gets it together be mad if he never won a WC but there have been alot of great riders who have never won it so it could slip through his hands.

[Trees]

I totaly agree with you, Ward is so talented its like when I used to watch Mauger in the early 70's he was so ultra professional, but I much perfered to watch Olsen. Then came along Collins & Morton who I would much rather watch than say Simmo. Its like Rickardsson, what a rdier, but for me in that same era give me Gollob any day of the week to watch for sheer excitment. Take Adams do smooth year in year out, but give me Loran or Screen any day. Such a lot of sheer talent of riders like Cook st Ipswich Ott at Wimbledon had eminence natural ability on a bike.

The point that I'm making is I would find Wrad far more entertaning to watch than Hancock or Woffinden, I do think Woffinden can go on to be a Multi World champion. Will Ward be world champion, big question mark now, if he is not it will not be the lack of ability, the onlything to stop him his himself!

 

I don't know if you are a new comer to speedway you state that Ward has won no world titles I will reminder you that Ward has won 2 WORLD under 21 titles.

And no doubt could have won more of those, gave them up before he was 21!