Lakeside V Leicester Frid 13th June

[Halifaxtiger 5,318]

Very good meeting

 

Lakeside has always been one of my favourite EL tracks and a couple of cracking races only confirmed that view. I regard those who are continually critical as living on ancient history.

 

Bridger was superb - easily the best I have seen him ride - and I doubt if I will see many duels this season better than his with Schlein.

 

Leicester were disappointing but a word for Max Clegg. There won't be many away fast track riders who will beat both Ellis and Morley at AE and do so by passing them.

[g13webb 4,254]

Since Rory's upturn in form, he must to be the most popular guest used these past weeks.

They're are some positives in that he is getting additional track time at away tracks, just hope he doesn't get tired and injured in the process......

[sommelier 1,118]

Would love to see Bridger carry his recent form in to the British final at Wolves on monday

[Bryce 349]

Rory will always be a popular guest because he gives 100% every time, as evidenced in heat 15 last night. Match over, he was passed by PK, but then battled back to retake second place ruining PK's paid maximum in the process. One of several superb races in a very entertaining match, despite the easy home win. Davy Watt's last gasp heat 1 victory will live in the memory for some time to come.

[jim3751 88]

Well done PK. What better way to say "up yours" to a critic?

[E I Addio 15,845]

My reflections looking back on the meeting :-

 

Leicester ran the Hammers to a last heat decider in the A fixture but the big difference this time was the inexplicably low score from Doyley who is clearly the major force in the Lions side, coupled with PK seeming to return to form and the phenomenal performance by Lewis Bridger,

 

For Lakeside :

 

WATTY - Led from the front with a captains innings,. The way he snatched the Heat 1 win from Doyle as they crossed the line was top drawer stuff.

 

LAWSON - not as awesome as in recent weeks but did his job

 

BECH - Messed up by trying too hard early on but settled down to take two classy wins.

 

LBR- Stunning. Totally focussed, totally committed, utterly determined, no excessive wheelies, no showboating. It was clear from his first half lap that his paid max was a foregone conclusion. In his last two home meetings he has had 8 wins (including paid wins) and a last place (due to a puncture) Is this the new Lewis Bridger ?

 

PK- A master class in intelligent riding. Missed the gate in his first 4 races, waited for the rest to drift wide then cut back down the Karlsson Corridor to pass the opposition. He has been doing the same trick for years and still nobody knows how to stop him. An absolute joy to watch.

 

MORELY- Steady as ever. No complaint.

 

ELLIS- Looked a little bit subdued to me , Not sure why. Possibly bike losing power.. Did a reasonable job though.

 

For Leicester:-

 

DOYLEY - After Davey Watt tonked him on the line in Heat1 he just seemed to slip off the radar . Normally much better than this.

 

STEADY _ Basically the same Steady we all know. On the pace but on a track that doesn't suit his style and not able to land a blow when it mattered.

 

MADS_ 100% effort as always but erratic. Good T/R win , although shepherded home by Rory, but otherwise not really able to make his presence felt. as with Steady its just not Mads type of track.

 

BJERRE THE YOUNGER - The talent is obviously there but not developed enough yet for EL racing. Ineffective

.

ROO-BOY- What more could anyone ask of a guest ? By far the most effective of the visitors, although unlike Mads and Steady, Rory loves the track and is a track specialist. Did a great job shepherding Mads home for an 8-1 which took some doing against a very determined Dave Watt. I'll never forgive him for spoiling PK's Paid Max in Heat15 though.

 

CLEGG- Very Good. Very determined. Rode with fire in his belly and impressed a lot of people. Look like a good future prospect if he carries on like this.

 

BATES- More or less the opposite of Clegg. Couldn't really get to grips with the track and was replaced by Clegg in his last ride.

Edited June 14, 2014 by E I Addio

[Falcon Hammer 576]

Doyle is another one on the list of riders showing themselves up by refusing to go the long way round the stock car track back to the pits. It surprised me to be honest, I didn't expect it from him. The promotion are doing these things to try and improve the presentation but some riders just aren't interested!

 

At least he got the message once they linked the barriers together so they couldn't be forced apart - or perhaps the clerk of the course finally said something?

Seems somebody had a word with Doyle about forcing himself through the barrier on the stock car track - didn't look interested after that, normally takes riders to the fence, but just let everyone pass him last night

 

Well done to PK - definitely got his mojo back

 

Is Lewis definitely missing next weeks meeting v KL? Practice for the SGP Qualifier is at 12am next day

[Daytripper 1,123]

Lewis was chatting a lot in the pits to Richard and to Mikkel and they all seem to be getting on well. I had long chat with him myself . I think his mechanic, Glen, and his manager Ian, have been very good for him this year . Lewis is a really nice bloke when you talk with him on a one to one, and a lot better than some of the press he gets. I would love to seem him reach his potential, over this season he really seems to be getting his focus together. Hopefully much more to come.

 

Seems to be a happy atmosphere in the Lakeside pits generally these days. Davy is a really good captain and it's nonsense to talk of replacing him.

[Mjolnir 184]

Is Lewis definitely missing next weeks meeting v KL? Practice for the SGP Qualifier is at 12am next day

I believe so, with Ben Barker lined up as a guest ...

[marko 956]

Really pleased for PK as we need one rider at least who can mix it in heats 13 and 15, they have been going well as a team and whilst I'm still not convinced they will be good enough to challenge the like of Lynn they are showing signs they are possibly not far away.

[Falcon Hammer 576]

I believe so, with Ben Barker lined up as a guest ...

Many thanks Mjolnir. Guess it is better for Lewis, he would be knackered otherwise - Good luck Lewis

[weatherwatcher 664]

I think we would have done far better keeping hold of Perry. Why get shut of a reserve who was regulary scoring 6 points and over a meeting to be replaced by Bates who has not yet scored 6 points full stop.

[Mjolnir 184]

Many thanks Mjolnir. Guess it is better for Lewis, he would be knackered otherwise - Good luck Lewis

True - it's just a shame that it's impossible to replace him with another rider who could ride Lakeside as well as he is at the moment!

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing him and Richard in the British Final on Monday, if they have a good night I think both could have much more of an impact than most people probably expect!

Edited June 14, 2014 by Mjolnir

[TMW 533]

I think we would have done far better keeping hold of Perry. Why get shut of a reserve who was regulary scoring 6 points and over a meeting to be replaced by Bates who has not yet scored 6 points full stop.

I think from the moment he had won the under 21 at Cov and then beat Bjerre at BP in the world under 21 at BP Leicester wanted him but he could only replace Perry. I do hope all these changes work because I for 1 can't stand anymore moaning. Meetings don't seem to get discussed anymore only track, reserves and absent riders

[Shale Searcher 1,264]

I think that Perry had reached his level with Leicester, he is one of the more mature FTDR riders, and doubt he was going to get any better... Max and now Josh have a great deal of potential, and will show regular improvement, and are probably likely to stay in Speedway, Josh is carrying an injury at the moment, and Lakeside is a tough track to race on when not 100%, you're always on the move on the bike, turning hard and wrestling it... In my opinion.