Biddows

Team selection should depend on what Jim Lynch actually hopes to get out of the exercise. I think even he would agree that we do not have the greatest chance of winning this tournament (though anything can happen, of course). However, his squad selection has shown a reasonable amount of faith in the younger riders, so ignoring them when it comes to picking the team would make this whole exercise pointless. I agree that we do not want to disgrace ourselves on the world stage, but not giving vital experience to our younger riders would be ridiculous. Scott, Rico, Bomber, Stead - these guys have all been there before: There's not a lot for them to learn from this. By all means keep some of them in - you can't remove the backbone of the team, after all. But preparing for the future is vital. If he wants us to progress to the final and then battle for third place, then he should pick the ringers. If however, he wants to throw a couple of the young guys in at the deep end so they can see what's what, then he should make (IMHO) the sensible decision and pick a team that looks a little like this: Scott Bomber Lee Eddie Tai What would we stand to gain from putting Stead (inconsistent at best) and Allen (injured, bit of a risk) in the team when the top three should provide enough fire power to get us through to the next round and Tai and Eddie can get a sniff of riding in the world cup. I would even consider putting Danny King in, in place of one of the top three, but that might be a risk too far. I've been reasonably impressed with him so far this season, and it might give him the drive to take that next step.

It's not even like people have taken my comment out of context - the context is plain to see! I never said Scott was an unable rider - he's a very good rider, in fact, and I'd never suggest otherwise. I just said that, talent-wise, of the four riders that appeared in the grand final of the British Final (Tai, Eddie, Bomber and Scott), the other three had superior natural ability on the bike. Can't really make it any clearer than that, now can I? Scott is a superb rider, but it's his determination, bravery (and yes ability - because he does have considerable ability) that make him the rider he is. Not once have I said that Scott isn't a good motorcyclist. Seems people read what they want to read...

Never said that Scott was a bad rider, now did I? And he's certainly not the least able rider in the GPs - braver than most as well. I just think that in the final, he had the least natural ability on a bike. He was still the best rider on the night. But consider how good Tai, Eddie and Bomber can be on the bike (talent-wise, not necessarily experience or consistency-wise), and you realise that it's hardly a criticism of Scott at all. He is one of, if not the best league riders in this country. And I totally agree, how a rider performs for his team is far more important than some individual event

Oh, no-one was tipping him to win this meeting. It's just that over the course of his career, people have expected him to emerge as a world class contender, and he's just not. He'll be a good EL rider, and hopefully in a couple of seasons when his consistency picks up, he'll be a good heatleader, but he'll never hit the GPs. That ship has sailed. Hooray! A bite Don't get me wrong, Scott has achieved a helluva lot, especially during his time as captain. He's a fantastic league rider, and a very good presence to have in the pits. I just genuinely felt that of the four riders in the final, his natural ability on a bike was the least. Never said he was a bad rider, or undeserving of his success - he's worked hard for both. Scott is Britain's number one, and but for a bit of bad luck in the two years where he didn't win the event, would have been officially so for the last 7 years.

Well what about Lewis Bridger for one of the most over hyped rider, no where near the last chance race. Don't get me (or anybody else) started on Lewis Bridger. There's a whole other thread dedicated to his troubles Funny how easy it is to say that after the result

Fortunately, Sub, there's a new crop of British riders coming through for you to criticise mercilessly

Simon Stead. If all the hype was to be believed, he would be world champion by now. I can't say I'm entirely excited by the result. Fair play to Kennett for taking advantage of the final after not doing so well in the qualifiers, but he really got there by the skin of his teeth. Oh well, them's the rules. I would have much preferred to see Tai grab the wildcard place - I just don't see Kennett learning anything much from it. He's already had the chance to experience the GP atmosphere. Nicholls winning was no great surprise - experience was the deciding factor at the end of the day, but I would contest that he was possibly the least talented rider in the final race. But like I said, more experienced. I can see Tai walking this event in years to come, though hopefully there'll be a few riders coming up to challenge him.

I really hope you did. Oh, but a Dr Emmett Brown requested that you turn the De Lorean by 10am tomorrow.

Somewhat surprisingly, too. Well, surprising for me, at any rate. I'm not sure you'd look upon it in quite the same light, eh Sub? I thought the rough track and difficult conditions early on would have played into Scott's favour, but he never really recovered from his first heat fall. Largely irrelevant anyway - I don't think anyone was really going to challenge Nicki.

Crackerjack? He should do alright - though, to be honest, I'm not expecting too much. He's quick out of the start, and he has fast bikes, but then the same can be said of a lot of riders competing. I'd love to see him do well, mind you, so fingers crossed, eh? I was about to say something to the same effect, but then I realised that Coventry have ridden against us twice in the last six, so I thought I should keep schtum

I stand corrected, and I'm not too disappointed about it. Bomber on good form is worth watching. I still stand by my earlier prediction, though.

...Muppet. That's top work, SCB. You gotta love it.

Both valid points. I think Blazeaway has a fair point, if not fairly worded. Zagar has proven himself unreliable in the past, but there may be more the situation than meets the eye (though quite what, I wouldn't care to venture). As for the ELRC, I think that there are only really three riders who are in with a shout of winning it - Crump, N. Pedersen and Adams. Probably Nicki on current form. It's a shame AJ isn't participating, as that would have spiced up proceedings somewhat, but he's not top of the Lakeside averages, and them's the rules. Nicholls has a good shot at making the final, but probably not of making the podium - I just hope he doesn't get too accustomed to fourth places Bomber's inclusion would have been justified earlier in the season, when his form was a bit better, though he has dropped off a little, and won't necessarily prove competitive (though I would dearly love for him to). I just hope it's a good, fair meeting.

You know, you're right. Scott isn't worthy of calling himself a speedway rider. In fact, he should be shot out of a cannon into the sun. That'll learn him. AJ is good around Brandon, we all know that. And, I'm not too beaten up about him getting 16 to be honest. Stopped the Hammers getting more of a thrashing. Besides, it was a good race in heat 15 between the two, by all accounts.

And I don't get it why some on this forum seem to indulge simply in criticism and petty name-calling. But hey, you can't win 'em all, eh? Oh, and for the record, I was being strictly tongue-in-cheek - I wasn't genuinely suggesting that it was a libel case, but of course, you knew that already