PHILIPRISING 7,298 Posted August 2, 2016 AS I understand it Greg Hancock was never going to ride at Belle Vue and only did so in Sweden to ensure that the USA finished third and won't have to start the 2017 campaign on the bottom rung of the ladder. There is no obligation for the USA to choose Hancock of course but surely they should have been open and honest and admitted to their plan beforehand so at least speedway fans going to BV on Friday knew that Greg wouldn't be there come what may. Of course, it would have been even better had the USA left Greg out at Vastervik where he could have been in the pits helping and encouraging the young Americans. Okay, that would probably have meant them finishing fourth but at least the German quartet would have been more competitive in the Race-Off without affecting the result. It certainly left a sour taste in the mouth but not sure what the authorities can do. What the FIM can do, and made perfectly clear on Friday and Saturday that they will, is come done very hard on individual riders and teams who blatantly attempt to "fix" a race in order to use/avoid a Joker ride. Team managers were warned that heavy fines and licence suspensions would be imposed for such behaviour. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fromafar 10,361 Posted August 2, 2016 (edited) AS I understand it Greg Hancock was never going to ride at Belle Vue and only did so in Sweden to ensure that the USA finished third and won't have to start the 2017 campaign on the bottom rung of the ladder. There is no obligation for the USA to choose Hancock of course but surely they should have been open and honest and admitted to their plan beforehand so at least speedway fans going to BV on Friday knew that Greg wouldn't be there come what may. Of course, it would have been even better had the USA left Greg out at Vastervik where he could have been in the pits helping and encouraging the young Americans. Okay, that would probably have meant them finishing fourth but at least the German quartet would have been more competitive in the Race-Off without affecting the result. It certainly left a sour taste in the mouth but not sure what the authorities can do. What the FIM can do, and made perfectly clear on Friday and Saturday that they will, is come done very hard on individual riders and teams who blatantly attempt to "fix" a race in order to use/avoid a Joker ride. Team managers were warned that heavy fines and licence suspensions would be imposed for such behaviour. Should that statement not have been made before the 1rst round.Poor excuse.Proving that a rider is fixing race will be difficult if done properly.eg Tape touch ,EF. Edited August 2, 2016 by Fromafar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
racers and royals 8,723 Posted August 2, 2016 AS I understand it Greg Hancock was never going to ride at Belle Vue and only did so in Sweden to ensure that the USA finished third and won't have to start the 2017 campaign on the bottom rung of the ladder. There is no obligation for the USA to choose Hancock of course but surely they should have been open and honest and admitted to their plan beforehand so at least speedway fans going to BV on Friday knew that Greg wouldn't be there come what may. Of course, it would have been even better had the USA left Greg out at Vastervik where he could have been in the pits helping and encouraging the young Americans. Okay, that would probably have meant them finishing fourth but at least the German quartet would have been more competitive in the Race-Off without affecting the result. It certainly left a sour taste in the mouth but not sure what the authorities can do. What the FIM can do, and made perfectly clear on Friday and Saturday that they will, is come done very hard on individual riders and teams who blatantly attempt to "fix" a race in order to use/avoid a Joker ride. Team managers were warned that heavy fines and licence suspensions would be imposed for such behaviour. So I Suppose the next question is- why does Greg not want to ride in the SWC ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedibee 3,091 Posted August 2, 2016 Should that statement not have been made before the 1rst round.Poor excuse.Proving that a rider is fixing race will be difficult if done properly.eg Tape touch ,EF. the fixing is slowing down for 1 point less . not getting excluded and losing 3 , and it's also subjective to who are are dropping points to . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheReturn 1,724 Posted August 2, 2016 AS I understand it Greg Hancock was never going to ride at Belle Vue and only did so in Sweden to ensure that the USA finished third and won't have to start the 2017 campaign on the bottom rung of the ladder. The interesting thing is, he was interviewed on TV in Sweden and never gave any impression then that he was not riding at Belle Vue. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHILIPRISING 7,298 Posted August 2, 2016 The interesting thing is, he was interviewed on TV in Sweden and never gave any impression then that he was not riding at Belle Vue. EXACTLY but we now know that the decision had been already been made. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry 1,319 Posted August 2, 2016 What the FIM can do, and made perfectly clear on Friday and Saturday that they will, is come done very hard on individual riders and teams who blatantly attempt to "fix" a race in order to use/avoid a Joker ride. Team managers were warned that heavy fines and licence suspensions would be imposed for such behaviour. Or better still, get rid of the bloody thing altogether! 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted August 2, 2016 Becker was already in the first round as reserve so had his suit made. Broc has been wearing last year's WC suit (or the same design) all season in the states. Fair enough. But reading Phil Rising next post while I may have been wrong I did get the write answer, it was always planned. What the FIM can do, and made perfectly clear on Friday and Saturday that they will, is come done very hard on individual riders and teams who blatantly attempt to "fix" a race in order to use/avoid a Joker ride. Team managers were warned that heavy fines and licence suspensions would be imposed for such behaviour. Erm, it's not race fixing if it leads to a bigger win. Lose battle to win the war and all that. If the FIM don't want it happening, get rid of the rule! While its there then this will happen, legitimately. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fromafar 10,361 Posted August 2, 2016 the fixing is slowing down for 1 point less . not getting excluded and losing 3 , and it's also subjective to who are are dropping points to .The planning might include more than 1race ahead though,if the team manager is smart,plenty Plan B's options. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPNY 608 Posted August 2, 2016 The oddest part of Greg not turning up for the Race off was the big interview he did a couple of days before. And being a Monster Sponsored rider I'm surprised they didn't lean on him to be there. I sincerely hope the SWC doesn't become like the 'lesser' competitions in football where the big name players take an opportunity to rest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
no-brakes-uk 76 Posted August 2, 2016 Fair enough. But reading Phil Rising next post while I may have been wrong I did get the write answer, it was always planned. They may or may not have had a suit made for him (it looked new to be fair) but I do know he didn't leave US until earliest Wednesday, possibly Thursday which would suggest to me it was a last minute decision to include him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsunami 10,219 Posted August 2, 2016 The oddest part of Greg not turning up for the Race off was the big interview he did a couple of days before. And being a Monster Sponsored rider I'm surprised they didn't lean on him to be there. I sincerely hope the SWC doesn't become like the 'lesser' competitions in football where the big name players take an opportunity to rest. I don't think we need to worry about downgrading the World Cup competition. In this case, a certain Yank just thought he could be his usual insincerity, and gain some credit for a planned decision to stop at home with the wife and kids, instead of riding for his country in the biggest comp that that country could compete in. Some folks fall for it but. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,979 Posted August 2, 2016 I cant think of the American in Sweden since Jon Cook maybe back in the late 90's. Must have been around 2006-ish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Flag 454 Posted August 2, 2016 Must have been around 2006-ish whatever year it was it was after he had established himself as a top rider by coming to UK many years earlier and learning his trade when he was unknown he wouldn't have got a team spot elsewhere at that time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,979 Posted August 2, 2016 whatever year it was it was after he had established himself as a top rider by coming to UK many years earlier and learning his trade when he was unknown he wouldn't have got a team spot elsewhere at that time No it wasn't.He remains unknown even now,as neither i nor scb can remember his name Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
