lucifer sam 3,953 Posted October 5, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, chunky said: If Dudek had missed out, I would have gone for Drabik, but you really think we need Ianother Pole? It's not about needing another Pole. It's about having the best 15 riders in the world (or as near as possible) in the series. None of the alternatives are as good as Drabik. Edited October 5, 2019 by lucifer sam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,016 Posted October 5, 2019 1 minute ago, lucifer sam said: It's not about needing another Pole. It's about having the best 15 riders in the world (or as near as possible) in the series. None of the alternatives are as good as Drabik. That does come into it, though. You, really think Drabik would fit the bill right now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevehone 3,412 Posted October 5, 2019 Drabyk would be the most exciting rider of the series if he gets a pick, amazing skill on a bike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagpuss 10,683 Posted October 5, 2019 1 hour ago, Crumpet77 said: Not good enough, gone backwards this year. Predominantly due to two massive crashes. But I agree, not ready based on this year. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waiheke1 4,295 Posted October 6, 2019 3 hours ago, lucifer sam said: Woffinden Hancock Laguta Drabik would be my choices as well. Think the Drabik spot may go to Michelsen or Lambert though, but personally think Drabik or Smektala are more deserving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OveFundinFan 4,133 Posted October 6, 2019 Equally interesting is the 4 series reserves. Say that because this year Lambert really got used, and Fricke didn’t do too bad for meetings. So who are the 4 for 2020. If Lambert not in the full 15, does he have another pick for 4 reserves. Smektala, Michelson, Thomson, Woryna possible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Col 849 Posted October 6, 2019 Michelson is most deserving of a Wild Card after Woffinden. I think Hancock would have to prove himself in league speedway before he gets back in the GP's but maybe he'll get one. There is no obvious deserving rider. It's no to an Artem Laguta Wildcard for me. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHILIPRISING 7,298 Posted October 6, 2019 SGP Commission meeting in Torun this morning so shouldn't have long to wait ... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dornier 793 Posted October 6, 2019 Personally think Hancock should call it a day in the GPs. Hes old and should be thinking more about his family now especially after recent events. I would hate to see him having a bad accident and being beyond repair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,603 Posted October 6, 2019 11 hours ago, lucifer sam said: It's not about needing another Pole. It's about having the best 15 riders in the world (or as near as possible) in the series. None of the alternatives are as good as Drabik. If it is about the best 15 riders in the world why do you exclude Michelsen? He did more than Drabik in his GP appearances this year. He has performed better than Drabik in the Extraliga and Elitserien and is miles ahead of a horde of GP riders in both the Polish and Swedish averages. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarkens 119 Posted October 6, 2019 I hope it's Tai, Laguta, Michelsen and Drabik, but we all know that if Hancock wants it, he'll get it. Laguta is an interesting one, he's definitely been one of the fastest riders in the series this year and yet he finished hmm 11th? I think Tai and Michelsen are shoe-ins. Michelsen had a very good season and even though he had a poor Challenge, he definitely deserves it more than the likes of Bjerre, Lindback, Thomsen, Lambert etc. 1. Zmarzlik 2. Madsen 3. Sajfutdinow 4. Lindgren 5. Vaculik 6. Janowski 7. Doyle 8. Dudek 9. Zagar 10. Iversen 11. Fricke 12. Woffinden 13. Laguta 14. Michelsen 15. Hancock/Drabik not bad at all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Terry 1,319 Posted October 6, 2019 Always makes me chuckle when people say 'this rider' or 'that rider' deserves to be in the series. The only riders who deserve to be there are the 11 qualifiers. Still, we have to go through this charade every year, so I guess Woffinden and Hancock are obvious, along with Michelsen (Euro champ) and Drabik (U21 champ.) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dandelion 775 Posted October 6, 2019 (edited) I'd love to see the two Lagutas in... Think Grigory would be nice and controversial... Which will liven up the series some more... Artem is the best rider in the world on his day... Woffinden is obvious... Last place... Maksym Drabik, Mikkel Michelsen, Bartosz Smektala or Greg Hancock farewell (If he wants it) Think Greg is still one of the best in the world... Even with his year out Reserves: I'd like to see Lambert get another reserve spot, but too early for a full time spot... Same goes for Chuganov... 1. Bartosz Zmarzlik 2. Leon Madsen 3. Emil Sayfutdinov 4. Fredrik Lindgren 5. Martin Vaculik 6. Maciej Janowski 7. Jason Doyle 8. Patryk Dudek 9. Matej Zagar 10. Niels Kristian Iversen 11. Max Fricke 12. Tai Woffinden 13. Artem Laguta 14. Grigory Laguta 15. Maksym Drabik/Greg Hancock/Mikkel Michelsen/Bartosz Smektala Reserves: Robert Lambert, Gleb Chuganov, (Drabik, Michelsen, Smektala) Whichever two don't get picked full time, Anders Thomsen (Euro Champion) Realistically... I know Greg might be a gamble... But I still think he'll finish top 8... And he's a legend... Would be nice to see him go out age 50, and with a bang Edited October 6, 2019 by Dandelion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Col 849 Posted October 6, 2019 45 minutes ago, tarkens said: Laguta is an interesting one, he's definitely been one of the fastest riders in the series this year and yet he finished hmm 11th? Not checked but I'm sure his Swedish & Polish league averages put him as one of the top 15 riders, plus a second consecutive SoN gold, but from what I've seen he's little other than a gater. If there is a gap that might get closed he doesn't go for it & simply isn't aggressive enough to compete at the very top level. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheReturn 1,724 Posted October 6, 2019 15 hours ago, BWitcher said: Yeah, offering a 4 time World Champion who rightfully qualified before his wife's illness sure does 'make a mockery'. After a year out? Gifting a wildcard now (for non speedway injury) would be a 'mockery' of the sport. If we are going to gift wildcards to ex world champions, why not Nicki? Yes I know that is ridiculous, but so is your argument. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites