Tai Woffinden

[bruno]

oh right, nige said the other week at gp hed stopped wearing it, my mistake then apologies to bomber

[Woz01]

oh right, nige said the other week at gp hed stopped wearing it, my mistake then apologies to bomber

Was he was on about the protection that inflated on impact? Not wore that in a while. Think he's wearing something else now.

[damosuzuki]

It obviously suits Sky, Wolverhampton and the Wolves fans also. The guy is World Champion, of course he does things to suit his professional ambitions. That's what top sportsmen do...

 

The real mark of a top speedway rider is surely that he wears a shirt and tie, knows all the words to the national anthem, doesn't swear and has no piercings or tatoos. Extra kudos for princess Diana / Queen mum tribute on his Kevlars.

[Shale Searcher]

Was he was on about the protection that inflated on impact? Not wore that in a while. Think he's wearing something else now.

 

Having been "up close" to Bomber when machine examining, I can confirm he is very lean indeed, he is no longer wearing a "personal" bouncy castle, but does wear some bulky protection, and don't forget, he's only 5"5 when he wakes up in the morning, so often when Kevlared up, does look bulky...

 

Bit like me!!

[Terry]

Bomber wears extra protection. Trust me I've spoke to him a few times before meetings, there isn't much of him at all. Same with the others.

 

I'm surprised more riders don't wear extra protection with Nicki around.

 

 

The real mark of a top speedway rider is surely that he wears a shirt and tie, knows all the words to the national anthem, doesn't swear and has no piercings or tatoos. Extra kudos for princess Diana / Queen mum tribute on his Kevlars.

 

He does wear a shirt and tie. The trouble is he then spoils it by also wearing a baseball cap back to front!

[Aces51]

We still don't know the facts so perhaps not wise to be forming judgements. We do know that we have the Poultec programme up and running, the Young Lions set up being supported by the BSPA and the pre season training camp in Croatia paid for by the BSPA, so certainly not true to say nothing is being done.

 

What I do dispute is that Woffinden is unequivocally best placed to determine what we should be doing because he is presently our best rider. He may be but equally, he may only know what works best for him and that may not work for others. Cook has a fitness programme, it may not be what Woffinden does but may be better suited to Cook.

 

It has not usually been the best riders who have made the best administrators, managers or trainers. Rosco and Middleditch, not a former World Champion, were chosen as national team managers and the most successful training programme to date was run by Dent Oliver,a good rider but never World Champion.

 

The point is that determining how best to produce the next crop of world class riders requires different skills than being the best rider. Tai may have those abilities but it is certainly not a given that he does. My guess is that if you asked a group of world class riders you would get different answers as to what GB should do. I am sure that Tai would make a valuable contribution and should be listened to but that does not necessarily mean doing everything he wants.

Edited August 17, 2016 by Aces51

[stevebrum]

what you said about diet Steve have you noticed how big bomber seems compared to say Greg and Tai. I think this is one area Tai knows Team GB has to improve on

 

don't necessarily agree that Bomber is all that big however he could learn from Tai regards diet plans and machinery prep.

 

We still don't know the facts so perhaps not wise to be forming judgements. We do know that we have the Poultec programme up and running, the Young Lions set up being supported by the BSPA and the pre season training camp in Croatia paid for by the BSPA, so certainly not true to say nothing is being done.

What I do dispute is that Woffinden is unequivocally best placed to determine what we should be doing because he is presently our best rider. He may be but equally, he may only know what works best for him and that may not work for others. Cook has a fitness programme, it may not be what Woffinden does but may be better suited to Cook.

It has not usually been the best riders who have made the best administrators, managers or trainers. Rosco and Middleditch, not a former World Champion, were chosen as national team managers and the most successful training programme to date was run by Dent Oliver,a good rider but never World Champion.

The point is that determining how best to produce the next crop of world class riders requires different skills than being the best rider. Tai may have those abilities but it is certainly not a given that he does. My guess is that if you asked a group of world class riders you would get different answers as to what GB should do. I am sure that Tai would make a valuable contribution and should be listened to but that does not necessarily mean doing everything he wants.

Also a valid point.

I'd also add the BSPA could still talk to a dozen world class riders and probably end up still not doing enough.

This is not a new phenomenon let's face it but they are doing more in the past 12 months but clearly not enough.

[bruno]

obviously when I said bomber looks a bit big I was comparing him to greg and tai and not myself

[damosuzuki]

Met Bomber when he was at Glasgow and couldn't believe the size of him, small and very lean but very powerful looking upper body - not an ounce of fat on him

[oleoleole]

Peter Adams is the guest at the NSSC tomorrow night.

 

I don't know if he'd be willing to discuss Tai beyond his signing for Wolves but he's been very close to him for many years.

 

Besides that Peter was very entertaining last year with tales of the many World Champions he has worked with. Smuggling a passport less Bruce Penhall over the German border in the boot of his car was one of the highlights! Peter has a very sharp wit, totally different to his on screen (SKY) persona. We are in for a treat.

 

All proceeds go to Neil Vatcher and his Young Lions. Only £3 for non-members, everybody welcome.

 

http://www.nuneatonspeedwaysupportersclub.co.uk

[Wolfsbane]

The BSPA don't do themselves any favours do they? You try to be balanced and not jump to conclusions as there's nearly always 2 sides to every story even though we reckon we know the issues. Not a dickie bird on their website. Woffinden's equally at fault for not detailing the reasons for his decision. Result ----> confusion and wild speculation.

Edited August 17, 2016 by Wolfsbane

[tellboy]

We still don't know the facts so perhaps not wise to be forming judgements. We do know that we have the Poultec programme up and running, the Young Lions set up being supported by the BSPA and the pre season training camp in Croatia paid for by the BSPA, so certainly not true to say nothing is being done.

 

 

I heard that wasn't paid for,maybe why a few riders didn't turn up.

[orion]

The BSPA don't do themselves any favours do they? You try to be balanced and not jump to conclusions as there's nearly always 2 sides to every story even though we reckon we know the issues. Not a dickie bird on their website. Woffinden's equally at fault for not detailing the reasons for his decision. Result ----> confusion and wild speculation.

Not sure why the BSPA would put any statement up ...thou they get plenty of stick they are quite right of not getting into a public spat with someone ..if Woffy got some beef he should sort in out with them rather than going public on twitter etc ....Woffiden's at fault all round here

[Aces51]

I heard that wasn't paid for,maybe why a few riders didn't turn up.

I've not heard that. It has certainly been reported that the BSPA paid for it and didn't Rosco say the same when on TV for the Swedish GP, I think on the Saturday when they were filling time before it was called off or, did I imagine that. Tai said he didn't go to Croatia because he had already made other arrangements to be elsewhere, nothing to do with money.

 

You also have to consider the EL clubs running NL teams. It certainly isn't being done to make money, maybe in the hope they produce British talent for their EL side but that also feeds into Team GB.

 

Plainly more can be done but my point is that it is untrue to claim, as some have, that nothing is being done by the BSPA.

[Wolfsbane]

Not sure why the BSPA would put any statement up ...thou they get plenty of stick they are quite right of not getting into a public spat with someone ..if Woffy got some beef he should sort in out with them rather than going public on twitter etc ....Woffiden's at fault all round here

Issuing a press release to explain their side of the story is not 'getting into a public spat'. Knowing speedway fans as we do you can guarantee that 'Tai said it so it must be true' is the prevalent attitude out there. The fact that the BSPA has a track record for cock ups as long as your arm will only confirm that in the sheeple's minds. Far be it from me to defend Woffinden but I fail to see how paying all your own expenses to ride in the SWC final puts him at fault.

[dazzafl]

i think we can all be clear..

 

if something is on Tai's mind he will just come out with it yes he hasnt given us all the details but i think the comments "i have had enough of being taken for a mug or being mugged off" and "i wish i could buy the BSPA and run it like i run my business"

 

pretty much tells you where the blame lies.. but the BSPA wont tell you yes we didnt want to go with any of his plans because it will cost money etc.. or whatever the BSPA told Tai..

 

What we can be sure of is that this has to do with what Tai wants for the good of British speedway and what he has learnt and improved in himself while riding away from this country and in the GP series.

 

if its bike prep... training... etc etc... all to help the younger riders come through and be the best they can be with the guidance of a two time world champion who wants what is best for british speedway.

 

you know what he does throw his toys out but that just shows how passionate he is about getting what he thinks is the best for the growth of british speedway and the long term future of us climbing up the SWC ladder and the futures of the next generation of british rider.

[chris4gillian]

i think we can all be clear..

 

if something is on Tai's mind he will just come out with it yes he hasnt given us all the details but i think the comments "i have had enough of being taken for a mug or being mugged off" and "i wish i could buy the BSPA and run it like i run my business"

 

pretty much tells you where the blame lies.. but the BSPA wont tell you yes we didnt want to go with any of his plans because it will cost money etc.. or whatever the BSPA told Tai..

 

What we can be sure of is that this has to do with what Tai wants for the good of British speedway and what he has learnt and improved in himself while riding away from this country and in the GP series.

 

if its bike prep... training... etc etc... all to help the younger riders come through and be the best they can be with the guidance of a two time world champion who wants what is best for british speedway.

 

you know what he does throw his toys out but that just shows how passionate he is about getting what he thinks is the best for the growth of british speedway and the long term future of us climbing up the SWC ladder and the futures of the next generation of british rider.

 

I quite agree with all of that. How anyone can question Tai's commitment to British speedway as a whole over the past 4 or 5 years is beyond me. And before the usual suspects start, not riding in the British Final has nothing to do with wanting the very best for up and coming British riders....which is obviously something Tai feels passionately about.

 

Have you seen any British riders publicly say anything negative about Tai? No, but plenty (especially the younger riders) have stated how Tai has helped them.

 

Tai is the first British rider to seriously try to get the BSPA to change their ways and improve things for the future, but they seem intent on remaining the obstinate bunch of buffoons they have been for donkeys. Just about everyone is in agreement that British speedway needs a monumental shake up so Tai has given that a go - but yet a number on here are berating him for trying to do exactly what you say needs doing!! No wonder the kid has had enough (for now).

Edited August 18, 2016 by chris4gillian

[Star Lady]

Oh I'm getting deja vu

 

Just because you post something twice doesn't make it any more correct

[dazzafl]

Oh I'm getting deja vu

 

Just because you post something twice doesn't make it any more correct

 

too many topics about one person really should all be in one topic but wanted it to be read by everyone..

 

why there are three topic all about the same situation is beyond me

[godmother]

So Woffy wishes he could buy the BSPA and run it like his business. Does he wish to make money from being the MD of the BSPA then? Is that what he wants. Or am I mis-understanding another of his cryptic tweets. Perhaps he wants a job when he finishes racing. Any other theories.

Just another thought. If he paid his own expenses at Manchester, does he not pay his mechanics yearly, so that meeting should have been included in their salary anyway. Ovbviously there may be other expenses to account for,but i would have thought mechanics were already accounted for.