T.N.T. 355 Posted March 4, 2016 Now and again you get a young rider that can jump straight into the top League like Joe Screen, Lewis Bridger and Roger Lambert but most of the top riders have learnt their trade in a lower league with Tatum riding for Wimbledon in the second tier, Wigg at Weymouth and Loram at Hackney even though he did start in his first season at the top. The Premier League needs to be doing much more for British riders like making foreign riders keep their assessed average until they reach that level. If they miss a meeting only their real average is used and if replaced also. How many teams would bring back a rider on a 5 or 7 average if they are only averaging 3. Plus it would mean all Premier League teams would have British reserves and more second strings also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bald Bloke 3,281 Posted March 4, 2016 Michael started his official carrier in 1975 he rode for Boston in the National league 2nd div in his 1st year he finished with a 9.13 average he also rode some meetings for Kings lynn in the British league that year. In 76 he rode for Kings lynn in the British league won the British junior title and finished on a 9.22 average. In 77 he was top of the British league averages 10.64 won the British final.First world final finishing 4th and won the World team cup. He won the world speedway crown in 1980 in Gothenburg. I make him 17 when he averaged the 9.22 and 18 when he topped the averages with 10.64 That will never happen again. I remember watching him at Lynn when he was 14 and he was quick even then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starman2006 2,354 Posted March 4, 2016 Michael was one of the most talented riders ive seen at Poole, when he was right. I still remember him stalking Mitch Shirra for 3 laps and taking him as though he just wasn't there. He would do this on a weekly basis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,314 Posted March 8, 2016 Now and again you get a young rider that can jump straight into the top League like Joe Screen, Lewis Bridger and Roger Lambert but most of the top riders have learnt their trade in a lower league with Tatum riding for Wimbledon in the second tier, Wigg at Weymouth and Loram at Hackney even though he did start in his first season at the top. The Premier League needs to be doing much more for British riders like making foreign riders keep their assessed average until they reach that level. If they miss a meeting only their real average is used and if replaced also. How many teams would bring back a rider on a 5 or 7 average if they are only averaging 3. Plus it would mean all Premier League teams would have British reserves and more second strings also. Pretty sure Tatum rode in the top flight for Wimbledon right from the off. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hyderd 1,216 Posted March 8, 2016 Shouldn't these type of posts be in a different topic, I thought this was for EL predictions Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbee 510 Posted March 8, 2016 Pretty sure Tatum rode in the top flight for Wimbledon right from the off.Think you are right then signed for Cov when he was about 18 I think Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reviresco 708 Posted March 8, 2016 Think you are right then signed for Cov when he was about 18 I think Tatum was 19 when he started riding for Wimbledon in 1983. Not many start off in the top league aged 16. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,314 Posted March 15, 2016 (edited) It's very hard to look beyond Poole and Belle Vue for likely champions this year. Poole look favourites, but Craig Cook's form could prove key for Belle vue and they are the only real challengers. Usual suspects Swindon, Coventry, Lakeside and King's Lynn behind them. Wolves and Leicester the also rans. Who else? I'm sure I've forgotten someone. Can't be much good if I have! EDIT - Nope. That's all of them. Only 8 teams? That's not many! OK - League table: Poole Belle Vue King's Lynn Swindon Coventry Lakeside Wolves Leicester (not Lakeside) Champions: Belle Vue Edited March 16, 2016 by grachan 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,820 Posted March 15, 2016 It's very hard to look beyond Poole and Belle Vue for likely champions this year. Poole look favourites, but Craig Cook's form could prove key for Belle vue and they are the only real challengers.Usual suspects Swindon, Coventry, Lakeside and King's Lynn behind them.Wolves and Leicester the also rans.Who else? I'm sure I've forgotten someone. Can't be much good if I have!EDIT - Nope. That's all of them. Only 8 teams? That's not many!OK - League table:PooleBelle VueKing's LynnSwindonCoventryLakesideWolvesLakesideChampions: Belle Vue Lakeside have 2 teams then? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BWitcher 12,453 Posted March 15, 2016 Lakeside have 2 teams then? Wouldn't surprise me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,314 Posted March 15, 2016 Lakeside have 2 teams then? It begins with L. Same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hyderd 1,216 Posted March 15, 2016 It's very hard to look beyond Poole and Belle Vue for likely champions this year. Poole look favourites, but Craig Cook's form could prove key for Belle vue and they are the only real challengers. Usual suspects Swindon, Coventry, Lakeside and King's Lynn behind them. Wolves and Leicester the also rans. Who else? I'm sure I've forgotten someone. Can't be much good if I have! EDIT - Nope. That's all of them. Only 8 teams? That's not many! OK - League table: Poole Belle Vue King's Lynn Swindon Coventry Lakeside Wolves Lakeside Champions: Belle Vue Hell of a long time since we've seen a prediction like this from any speedway fan, I'm loving it. Sadly I can't see past Poole as the 2016 champions............again. There is also 1 team whose 1-5 have lots of improvement in them and probably the best No 6, so for me Wolves are my dark horses. Top 4 of Poole top, then 2-4 in no particular order of Belle Vue, Swindon and Wolves. 5-7 in no particular order of Coventry, Kings Lynn and Lakeside, with Leicester the new Belle Vue of the Elite League. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted March 15, 2016 First set of EL prices posted on 'oddschecker': Poole - 10/11 Belle Vue - 7/2 Swindon - 13/2 Coventry - 13/2 Wolverhampton - 14/1 Lakeside - 18/1 King's Lynn - 22/1 Leicester - 100/1 I'd say that Swindon are a more comfortable 3rd/Coventry not to close to 3rd as that. Maybe makes the Bees 10/1 and I'd agree with that. Will be interesting to see how the removal of the heat leader list has an effect in May! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E I Addio 15,843 Posted March 15, 2016 Lakeside have 2 teams then? Yes, they have reduced it to just two this year. Last year it was a different line up almost every meeting ! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebrum 6,820 Posted March 15, 2016 It begins with L. Same thing. Of course, bit like Somerset and Scunthorpe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
