mikebv

One thing that is noticeable over the past few days of watching, is just how important that crowd participation is.. There has been some great racing from the likes of Woofy and Smarzlik which, with a big crowd in attendance, would have 'raised the roof' of the stadium.. However, with no one there to watch, even that incredible standard of racing can become a bit 'meh'.... Hopefully members of the BSPL are watching, and some of them may see the similarity between those swathes of empty seats on show and how many parts of their stadiums resemble the same when British Speedway is shown live.. Maybe, when racing and normality returns, they will do all they can, and use any means necessary, to pack out their stadiums when on live TV. Hopefully to paint the sport in a positive light to any watching non, or lapsed, speedway fans..

KK has always had a 'unique' way of team riding hasn't he?

Presume these long gaps between races are to give the crowd time to get plenty of food and drink? Seriously though, Dave G is doing a very good job at keeping things flowing but he could do with a co commentator to fill in some of the 'dead air' by discussing the racing.. Scott Nicholls would be worth a seat next to him.. Edit: Two meters apart obviously....

Rubbish that Zmarzlik isn't he?

A bit special is Zmarzlik isn't he? Wow..

Definitely seem to follow a certain blueprint. Three top riders and two of the best reserves that are available.. Works well doesn't it...

I reckon he would have won it if his bike had started..

Don't think you'll be coming on here as Klosok Fan...

He must have been walking past the stadium when their reserve couldn't ride. . He can't ride against the better riders surely? Dudek will lap him twice...

Are the medics social distancing. .?

Bet the Poles don't have teams who share riders in different leagues racing on the same night either..

The bookies are... 3/10 for an away victory. ..

And I think they can only represent the one team.. They can't ride for any other during the season..

Watching Polish Sports, they do seem to follow Handball and Volleyball in numbers, with some of those players being well known nationally. . Their football leagues have no teams averaging over 20000 each season and several in the top league average less than 5000 a game. This means that most of Poland's top footballers ply their trade outside of the country to gain higher salaries.. Speedway on the other hand, brings 'world stars' to their towns... And they also of course have loads of 'world class' riders from their own country to follow, which must make a positive difference to the level of national media coverage they recieve... Plus running at weekend isn't a bad idea for a sport. Opening your doors when people can get there in numbers is always a plus point... (Although this weekends crowds didn't seem too good)...

Very reasonable at entry level for a basic bike, however.. As one rider once told me, he can spend almost as much again adding on all the latest "must have parts" to compete with those who already have them, and then getting it "race ready tuned".. And he had three bikes... Then it isnt so cheap, and riders then basically each spend fortunes from their salaries, or donations from sponsors, to all end up with the same type of kit, being tuned by many of the same people.. Hundred of Thousands (even Millions?) all spent for many to effectively run to stand still, but much, much less than that invested in actually improving the spectacle of the racing and the overall entertainment experience..? A strange model to follow and one that might be worth a moment or two for someone to review and change maybe?

They'll never get a crowd on a Monday night. .

But that would only have been done to stop the burger van turning up...

At least they don't need to do that daft covering of the mouth with their hands anymore when having a conversation with each other in front of the cameras...

Hope they get their money back...

Ref now on track again..

Plenty of riders discussing the track, Nicki P doesn't sound too impressed..

I also think that 'big fish in a small pond' syndrome is at play too.. Any British lad that shows any slight potential becomes the next 'great white hope' as they night in, night out, beat their British peers.. In Poland however, lads of an even higher standard are more concerned at keeping their team place that they beat dozens of other riders too, knowing a couple of bad meetings (sometimes just bad rides), will see them replaced by another hungry youngster...

It's definitely starting as it's on Eleven Sports 1 (Poland) and they have just done the toss for gates.. The track looks a 'bit sloppy' to say the least..

He does remind me a bit of Craig Cook when riders of the highest level come underneath him entering a turn or when riders are outside of him, but slightly ahead of him entering a bend. . They both seem to 'blink first', and let their opponents dictate proceedings.. Maybe it's a lack of confidence in themselves at that level? Woffy showed with Jamrog how to ride hard under a rider at speed, leaving Jamrog to either leave his leg there (and take impact) or move it.. A calculated risk of disqualification but these are the risks top level competitors take to be winners.. And as Speedway shows quite brutally at times, you have to be 100% committed to any manoeuvre as you often won't get another chance in a race..

I think his gating is a real concern and is something that will need to improve a long way for him to compete with the very best. .. As can be seen tonight, you can't give riders of the highest standard in the world so much of a head start and expect to win.. In the UK, at the NSS, he can be yards down at the first turn and use his size and speed to get the momentum to chase them down, at other tracks he can struggle to do the same... Overall, I don't think he will reach the level of Max Fricke for example who I really believe will develop into a genuine World Class rider, however putting himself out of his comfort zone of British Speedway will no doubt by the end of the Polish season, tell us more of the level he is really at.. For me, this season will be sink or swim for Dan as there are so many riders around his age pushing for the same opportunities and rewards, not to mention the likes of those a few years older who are already World and European Champs, and they wont be going anywhere soon.. If he comes through it then it will make a huge stride forward for his career, if he doesn't then he may just end up being a 'solid, decent rider' in that second or third level of standard, which, particularly after his very bad injury not too long ago, would still be a fair achievement...