OveFundinFan Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 6 hours ago, chunky said: Cant say I disagree with you, but that isn't the fault of the riders involved; qualification opportunities are there, but if nobody new is able to step up and qualify, then what can you do? The problem is that there are a small group of riders who (and this may sound harsh) aren't good enough to consistently challenge the elite. However, there is nobody out there better than them, so they usually re-qualify, or get the wildcards because there is nobody ready to take their place. I think that sums it up. The likes of Zagar, Iversen, Vaculik can win a GP at any time..... just like Kolodeiz did this year...... but they cannot do it regularly. But they would be a loss to the series if not in for 2020. Lambert early on this year got to a couple of semis, but couldn’t do it regularly. And that’s the thinking I have at the moment with the likes of Drabik and Smektala. Against other under 21’s they look amazing (and they are), but can they do that against the more established senior riders? Sure they can on occasions and on certain (gaters) tracks, but not regularly. Even on a big track like Pardubice for the under 21 WC last Friday, when those two were gated they were sometimes not as dominant and even being passed by some of the others ie Cuganov in the final, and Lindsey was a challenge to them. This year Lambert got the pick of first series reserve. Why him and not Drabik or Smektala? They are better then him, must have been done purely on nationality. Too many Poles in the series, even up with the possibility of a Brit, or even an Aussie (Fricke). When they got the chance, Fricke seemed to have taken hold of the opportunity more then Lambert, and IMO was clearly better. Plus, Fricke performed well in the Challenge final, Lambert was carrying a big injury. I hope Fricke can build on that, get the sponsorship to invest in the equipment needed for a GP season, and move forward. IMO, Lambert will benefit immensely by Not being in the 2020 series. It was tough for him this year, injury as well. He can go out confident in the fact he can race at that level, now needs to develop the consistency to do it. Perhaps couple years time he will be back. Re. Michelson, if he is as good as those who wanted him as a wild card say he is, he to will prove it in 2021. If he had finished higher in the Challenge then either Zagar, Iversen or Vaculik, then maybe his claim to a spot this year would have been more valid, but he didn’t. If he can progress in 2021 then may be he qualifies or wild card in 2022. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 8 hours ago, Bagpuss said: Smacks of more of the same which, for me at least, wasn’t a particularly vintage year. Yet it was the closest contested GP series I can remember, World Championship decided in the semi finals of the final GP of the series. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 1 hour ago, OveFundinFan said: This year Lambert got the pick of first series reserve. Why him and not Drabik or Smektala? Probably because Lambert proved himself at the top level with silver in the SoN & bronze in the SEC. Drabik & Smektala may have outperformed him in the U21 but just look at the careers of Robert Miśkowiak, Karol Ząbik & Dawid Kujawa all U21 Champions that careers plummeted once they were no longer protected by being Ekstraliga reserves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 2 hours ago, OveFundinFan said: The likes of Zagar, Iversen, Vaculik can win a GP at any time..... just like Kolodeiz did this year...... but they cannot do it regularly. But they would be a loss to the series if not in for 2020. Lambert early on this year got to a couple of semis, but couldn’t do it regularly. This year Lambert got the pick of first series reserve. Why him and not Drabik or Smektala? Firstly, Vaculik doesn't belong in this conversation; he is better than the others mentioned, and he finished fifth - comfortably. Lambert's performances tailed off after the injuries. I'm not saying he was top eight material, but he would have been much more competitive overall. I don't know too much about Drabik, and haven't seen that much of him, but I don't feel that Smektala is better than Lambert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 Lindback & Lambert both had poor 2019's compared to 2018, I expect them to be perform better in 2020. Neither however deserve a permanent wildcard in the GP's at this time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 1 hour ago, Col said: Yet it was the closest contested GP series I can remember, World Championship decided in the semi finals of the final GP of the series. That’s a fair point. It could just as much be my own issue as that of the series. GP speedway just doesn’t give me the buzz it once did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted October 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 (edited) Not a surprise, but this from the SGP website says it all. Hancock is set for an historic return to speedway in a year, which will see him become the first 50-year-old to compete in the SGP series, when he celebrates his half-century on June 3, 2020. This is not a sporting decision, this is a marketing decision. If we are going purely from sport, there is literally zero evidence that he is capable of competing after what, 15-16 months out of the saddle? Whilst I am not a fan after his pathetic bullying campaign against Nicki, I truly hope that he can compete otherwise it will prove the mockery of the system. So many questions... How much will they hype his age up next season? How much influence do Monster have in this process? Was that the real reason Monster flew him over to Cardiff? Is he definitely riding? Because if not it will be unfair on the reserve call-up if that rider gets told he's riding the series at the very last minute. Edited October 7, 2019 by TheReturn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iand Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 19 hours ago, iand said: Not sure if Lambert has done enough over the season to be chosen as one of the 4 reserves, Thomson must be 1 of the reserves having so narrowly missed out in the challenge meeting, followed by Michelson. Agree with Drabik and Smektala for reserve. Hancock ,Woffy, Laguta and Lindback for the wild cards Correctly got the 4 right, does anyone know how many times Lindback has got a wildcard. Remember a few years back when people were moaning about Harris and Lindgren always getting them. Freddie now comfortably a top 8 rider with Harris still trying to get back in the series. Chris even managed to get to the Challenge final this year and will no doubt be up for it next year if selected by the BSPA to represent GB in the qualifiers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 6 minutes ago, Bagpuss said: That’s a fair point. It could just as much be my own issue as that of the series. GP speedway just doesn’t give me the buzz it once did. GP's give me a buzz alright, especially on a track that allows racing of the highest order. Its British speedway that is flat for me, for the opposite reasons. I know all tracks cannot be like BV, but preparation for racing is lacking at most. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 (edited) Wilcards are Hancock, Woffinden, Laguta & Lindback. Didn't realise that was announced last night apologies for repeat. Edited October 7, 2019 by Col Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 4 minutes ago, OveFundinFan said: GP's give me a buzz alright, especially on a track that allows racing of the highest order. Its British speedway that is flat for me, for the opposite reasons. I know all tracks cannot be like BV, but preparation for racing is lacking at most. You got that right... Nobody who saw Wroclaw could fail to get a buzz... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poole keith Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 could lindback have been picked because hes the only contender who rides with long dreadlocks trailing out from under his helmet lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 13 minutes ago, TheReturn said: There is literally zero evidence that he is capable of competing after what, 15-16 months out of the saddle? Do you have any compelling evidence to the contrary? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sings4Speedway Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 So basically its the same as this year but Koldej out Fricke in. Good job it was a decent series this year. new faces or not 2020 looks a strong line up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 10 minutes ago, poole keith said: could lindback have been picked because hes the only contender who rides with long dreadlocks trailing out from under his helmet lol I wonder if Lindback's GP selection will impact on his previously stated wish to return to British speedway in 2020? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 15 minutes ago, Sings4Speedway said: new faces or not 2020 looks a strong line up. That's what I thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 30 minutes ago, chunky said: You got that right... Nobody who saw Wroclaw could fail to get a buzz... Absolutely. But we should be getting seven or eight rounds like that every year. And could do if they used better circuits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 Who are the top 16 riders in the Polish League? You shouldn't really be looking too far away from those to find out the best rider in the world Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 54 minutes ago, TheReturn said: Not a surprise, but this from the SGP website says it all. Hancock is set for an historic return to speedway in a year, which will see him become the first 50-year-old to compete in the SGP series, when he celebrates his half-century on June 3, 2020. This is not a sporting decision, this is a marketing decision. If we are going purely from sport, there is literally zero evidence that he is capable of competing after what, 15-16 months out of the saddle? Whilst I am not a fan after his pathetic bullying campaign against Nicki, I truly hope that he can compete otherwise it will prove the mockery of the system. So many questions... How much will they hype his age up next season? How much influence do Monster have in this process? Was that the real reason Monster flew him over to Cardiff? Is he definitely riding? Because if not it will be unfair on the reserve call-up if that rider gets told he's riding the series at the very last minute. Your dislike of Hancock is reaching laughable proportions now. You're as bad as Adonis/Speedibee with Woffinden. What you mean to say is there is literally zero evidence that he ISN'T capable of competing. There's 30 odd years of evidence stating that he IS capable of competing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted October 7, 2019 Report Share Posted October 7, 2019 5 minutes ago, Bagpuss said: Absolutely. But we should be getting seven or eight rounds like that every year. And could do if they used better circuits. If only it were that simple... Speedway has NEVER been like that, despite what our memories seem to tell us. Problem is that everybody appears to see different things. There have been a couple of dire ones this year, and there have been some poor-to-average ones. However, while quite a few of us felt that meetings like Vojens and Cardiff weren't great, but were still enjoyable, others felt they were the worst things they had ever seen. Wroclaw was special, but if every meeting was like that, it wouldn't be special. And people would find something else to whine about... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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