OveFundinFan Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 Your post falls at the first hurdle. Chris Holder is clear at the top of the GP standings currently and rides all three main leagues. You say Holder is in 3 leagues, so is Tai, but NKI is in 4, that's the point I was making, 4 is perhaps one too many. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinMills Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 think riders can cope with 3 leagues, like any top sportsmanit comes down to desire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPNY Posted May 17, 2016 Report Share Posted May 17, 2016 On a lighter note what a cracking GP! probably the best atmosphere I've ever experienced at Speedway. Pains me to say that as I love Cardiff so much but it really was something else. And hats off to the locals, whole stadium stayed for the presentation even tho no Polish rider. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumpiefan Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Really enjoyable GP and a great win. Woffinden just goes from strength to strength and can see him making it 3 titles this year. Just a quick point of view on the 'is tai british' discussion. Yes he is - born in England to English parents who emigrated to make a better life for themselves. The only bone of contention i possibly have is that in my opinion his decision to be 'british' was heavily influenced by the fact breaking into the gp's was going to be simpler as a brit than as an aussie. Brits get/got wildcards easier than aussies plus the competition was tough. crump holder ward etc etc. Don't agree with him not doing the British title rounds either. But overall the lad has been great for british speedway and knocking him does seem unfair. Maybe its the British way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Science Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Really enjoyable GP and a great win. Woffinden just goes from strength to strength and can see him making it 3 titles this year. Just a quick point of view on the 'is tai british' discussion. Yes he is - born in England to English parents who emigrated to make a better life for themselves. The only bone of contention i possibly have is that in my opinion his decision to be 'british' was heavily influenced by the fact breaking into the gp's was going to be simpler as a brit than as an aussie. Brits get/got wildcards easier than aussies plus the competition was tough. crump holder ward etc etc. Don't agree with him not doing the British title rounds either. But overall the lad has been great for british speedway and knocking him does seem unfair. Maybe its the British way Think some on here are knocking him for the very points you've made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumpiefan Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 I suppose at the end of the day you've got to do what is best for yourself. Judging by his last few seasons his various decisions seem to be working.....there's a difference between possibly disagreeing with aspects of his career / ways (which i do, he's by no means a 'favourite' of mine) and pure criticism / knocking. If nothing else his success has got speedway a little more uk media coverage, though i accept its a drop in the ocean compared to other sports Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Don't agree with him not doing the British title rounds either. When some idiots decided that the Semis should be on a GP weekend? Niamh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 When some idiots decided that the Semis should be on a GP weekend? Niamh In the bigger picture that weekend was probably one of the VERY few where the semi's were gonna fit with minimum hassle of doublebooking riders. Meaning a free sunday in Poland and stuff like that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 In the bigger picture that weekend was probably one of the VERY few where the semi's were gonna fit with minimum hassle of doublebooking riders. Meaning a free sunday in Poland and stuff like that... One of the Semis was on the Friday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 One of the Semis was on the Friday...Which is why I said weekend. Including friday night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Science Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) When some idiots decided that the Semis should be on a GP weekend? Niamh If you read Tai's comments at the time he doesn't want, or has any need to ride in the British Final again, regardless of qualifying through semi finals or being directly seeded. Its similar to Mo Farah and others missing the Commonwealth Games, they become insignificant once you have won them and you save your energy and focus for the big events. This is not the fault of the BSPA. When Tai was building his profile in the sport being British Champion was an important title to win and he would happily qualify and ride the final on a Monday even if in Poland on Sunday and Sweden on Tuesday. Sometimes you just move on ! Sadly it does no favours to the British final as an event or helps the federation that helped you make your name,nor does it give your fans a rare chance to see the current British World Champion race Live on home shale at the National Stadium Edited May 26, 2016 by New Science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 (edited) If you read Tai's comments at the time he doesn't want, or has any need to ride in the British Final again, regardless of qualifying through semi finals or being directly seeded. Its similar to Mo Farah and others missing the Commonwealth Games, they become insignificant once you have won them and you save your energy and focus for the big events. This is not the fault of the BSPA. When Tai was building his profile in the sport being British Champion was an important title to win and he would happily qualify and ride the final on a Monday even if in Poland on Sunday and Sweden on Tuesday. Sometimes you just move on ! Sadly it does no favours to the British final as an event or helps the federation that helped you make your name,nor does it give your fans a rare chance to see the current British World Champion race Live on home shale at the National Stadium That's fine from the competitor's point of view but effectively they have used those 'lesser' championships for their own ends then cast them aside without consideration for the fact that they owe those competitions some respect and gratitude for their help. Okay, nobody's expecting the likes of Woffinden to go back to NL and PL level which helped nurture him but to put yourself above the sport in your home country and effectively walk away from the inconvenience of 'paying your dues' isn't likely to earn much respect, except from those with a similar selfish outlook on life. Could you imagine the Swedes and Poles putting up with a World Champion refusing to ride in their leagues and national championships? People have duties as well as rights. I think he's been badly advised by those seeing that the Aussies let their riders get away with avoiding their national championships. The British Championship involves just two meetings, one if a wild card is sensibly given, just as many as riding in a bogus pairs championship for a Polish business. Edited May 26, 2016 by rmc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumpiefan Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 When some idiots decided that the Semis should be on a GP weekend? Niamh The planning (or lack of) wasn't ideal but i still think he should have done the british championship. I understand his reasoning but don't agree with it. But my original point was you can disagree with things like that without being against the bloke as it seems some are Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Science Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 That's fine from the competitor's point of view but effectively they have used those 'lesser' championships for their own ends then cast them aside without consideration for the fact that they owe those competitions some respect and gratitude for their help. Okay, nobody's expecting the likes of Woffinden to go back to NL and PL level which helped nurture him but to put yourself above the sport in your home country and effectively walk away from the inconvenience of 'paying your dues' isn't likely to earn much respect, except from those with a similar selfish outlook on life. Could you imagine the Swedes and Poles putting up with a World Champion refusing to ride in their leagues and national championships? People have duties as well as rights. I think he's been badly advised by those seeing that the Aussies let their riders get away with avoiding their national championships. The British Championship involves just two meetings, one if a wild card is sensibly given, just as many as riding in a bogus pairs championship for a Polish business. Don't think anyone advises Tai, he just does what he thinks is best for him ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted May 26, 2016 Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 Don't think anyone advises Tai, he just does what he thinks is best for him ! HE certainly took notice of what Pete Adams said during their time together. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Could you imagine the Swedes and Poles putting up with a World Champion refusing to ride in their leagues and national championships? If I remember rightly Fundin didn't want to ride in/for Sweden one year and they banned him from the world championship, that spoilt his run of every year being in the top 3 on final night. There were a few others who had dust ups particularly with the Swedish authorities, so Tai is not breaking new ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Science Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 HE certainly took notice of what Pete Adams said during their time together.Yeah like riding for Wolverhampton in 2014 when his heart was obviously not in it and knocking 2 points off his starting average 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 (edited) If I remember rightly Fundin didn't want to ride in/for Sweden one year and they banned him from the world championship, that spoilt his run of every year being in the top 3 on final night. There were a few others who had dust ups particularly with the Swedish authorities, so Tai is not breaking new ground. Seem to recall some Americans having issues due to not returning for national champs. And pc wasn't allowed to participate in world championship or represent England when he took a season out from the bl in 81 Edited May 28, 2016 by waihekeaces1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 Seem to recall some Americans having issues due to not returning for national champs. And pc wasn't allowed to participate in world championship or represent England when he took a season out from the bl in 81And Tai should be treated the same imo. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted May 29, 2016 Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 Personally I think times have changed since then. European speedway existed back then but not to the degree it is now. With the top league speedway being in Denmark, Sweden and Poland to me it makes sense as a world class rider to compete in them to earn the money to give me a reasonable standard of living when I retire. 3 meetings a week on a regular basis is a tough call for anyone, what with the travelling, looking after bikes, and having a home/family to think of. Having a meeting in the UK, especially now as the EL is a shadow of its former self, is one meeting too much, added of course that one meeting per week moves about the week making any sort of planning/routine go out the window. OK, it could be said that competing in the UK Championship is a semi plus a final..... but then the organisers put the semis so close to a world championship gp weekend. What does a top rider do? Go out full belt in a UK championship semi, risking injury when next day he is in a world GP match with a chance of winning the GP/world championship. There would be a serious risk this world class rider would race if he gated, but not be so keen to mix it and risk injury if he didn't get the gate. I know which I would choose, and to make it clear, it would be the latter - tootle round. And if you notice that is what Tai seems to do in the GPs anyway. If he gates he goes for it, if he not in the front after a lap he sometimes (not always) settles for 2 points or even 1, knowing points make prizes and even one point at the end of the season could mean the difference to being world champ or not. To me, Tai is thinking sensibly, and with British speedway being in the state its is, I don't think it matters one jot to press coverage whether Tai is in the British final or not. I am sure they will be interesting discussion re Robert Lambert as he develops, will he ide in the UK or will he elect Den/Swe/Pol as his means of league career and do the same as Tai - its only a matter of a short time before we find out IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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