mikebv 10,273 Posted August 24, 2021 (edited) After their last huge TV contract, Polish Speedway stated their plans to increase the amount of teams in the top leagues... So, presuming they are not going to decide to allow 90% of their riders to ride in both the top two divisions.. Nor allow 'guests' to destroy their leagues' credibility (as well as the huge TV deal, national sponsors who put in hundreds of thousands, and obviously decimate its fanbase).. You have to think that using "more foreign riders" may be part of their overall plan? However, if so, I can pretty much guarantee it will be controlled, and it wont be allowed to impact the flow of Polish talent coming through, as they know that a successful national team is paramount to keeping the sport in the wider general public eye... Edited August 24, 2021 by mikebv Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pinny 2,536 Posted August 24, 2021 2 hours ago, Bagpuss said: Thing is though how good could all of those been had they been able to get regular experience abroad from a young age, and a foot in the Polish door in their teens? This Polish U24 league could absolutely be what the current crop need to fulfill their potential, the U21 years are absolutely vital in a riders development and just riding in the UK and becoming an expert on our tight tricky tracks is no good if you want to be competitive internationally. A few of them did get Swedish experience in their teens abroad - Appleton regularly went to NZ and Sweden whilst Allen and Stead were always abroad riding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iainb 5,011 Posted August 24, 2021 2 hours ago, mikebv said: After their last huge TV contract, Polish Speedway stated their plans to increase the amount of teams in the top leagues... So, presuming they are not going to decide to allow 90% of their riders to ride in both the top two divisions.. Nor allow 'guests' to destroy their leagues' credibility (as well as the huge TV deal, national sponsors who put in hundreds of thousands, and obviously decimate its fanbase).. You have to think that using "more foreign riders" may be part of their overall plan? However, if so, I can pretty much guarantee it will be controlled, and it wont be allowed to impact the flow of Polish talent coming through, as they know that a successful national team is paramount to keeping the sport in the wider general public eye... As good as some of the Poles are, they still very much rely on foreign International riders to make up the bulk of the strength of their teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Dog 413 Posted August 24, 2021 On 8/23/2021 at 1:45 PM, Pinny said: I remember the likes of Stead, Howe, Neath, Brady, Appleton, Allen to name a few being much more competitive in a stronger second tier and all having much more ability than the current crop and how many of them went on to be better than at best a good second string in the top tier? Thats not a dig at any of them either before anyone starts. Just what people expected of them . Then you have Kennett and Bridger too. I actually agree with Daniel Smith… our future on the world stage looks very bleak. If you look at it another way Pinny, Bewley and Lambert have made great strides in just a few years and barring major injuries, should stay at a top level for GB for maybe the next 10-15 years, which is plenty of time to develop /unearth the next 'superstar'... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,273 Posted August 24, 2021 34 minutes ago, iainb said: As good as some of the Poles are, they still very much rely on foreign International riders to make up the bulk of the strength of their teams. Which is exactly why they are actively recruiting I would say... They will no doubt want to keep four Poles per team... Maybe some of our lads will suddenly find some Polish ancestors...? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IronScorpion 1,407 Posted August 24, 2021 Most, if not all, of the riders will have to go out & find sponsors willing to splash out on 2 maybe 3 top tuned engines to develop & keep up with the "throttle (to the backstop) jockeys" that are riding on the bigger, wider Polish tracks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikebv 10,273 Posted August 24, 2021 39 minutes ago, IronScorpion said: Most, if not all, of the riders will have to go out & find sponsors willing to splash out on 2 maybe 3 top tuned engines to develop & keep up with the "throttle (to the backstop) jockeys" that are riding on the bigger, wider Polish tracks. Rather than learn to just gate and go, and do just enough to stay in front of faster and better riders on slick, tight, narrow tracks in the UK? Tracks that haven't evolved at any where near the same rate as the bikes now ridden have...? As lots of the top GP and Polish lLeague riders prove, long gone are the days of having to do many years riding in the UK as part of your "apprenticeship in Speedway"... If some of our lads can find that "Polish Speed" through getting the backing needed, and land very good contracts, then good luck to them.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trees 2,814 Posted August 24, 2021 Our tracks haven't evolved ..... The majority of our big tracks were sold off years ago! We're left with what we have. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Smith 5,661 Posted August 24, 2021 5 hours ago, The Dog said: If you look at it another way Pinny, Bewley and Lambert have made great strides in just a few years and barring major injuries, should stay at a top level for GB for maybe the next 10-15 years, which is plenty of time to develop /unearth the next 'superstar'... This 'superstar' you talk of probably haven't been on a bike yet. I can absolutely say with confidence, that rider will not come from this group of rider's being talked about. Some of our current youngsters are already 19-20 or close too & not cutting it as Premiership reserves, just managing 2 averages. We're absolutely levels below foreign U21's at thos moment. 100% we have no high quality potential coming through after Dan Bewley. Many are blinded by the lack of quality throughout in the British leagues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Dog 413 Posted August 25, 2021 8 hours ago, Daniel Smith said: This 'superstar' you talk of probably haven't been on a bike yet. I can absolutely say with confidence, that rider will not come from this group of rider's being talked about. Some of our current youngsters are already 19-20 or close too & not cutting it as Premiership reserves, just managing 2 averages. We're absolutely levels below foreign U21's at thos moment. 100% we have no high quality potential coming through after Dan Bewley. Many are blinded by the lack of quality throughout in the British leagues. Maybe so, but as they all develop at different rates you can never tell for sure. Jason Doyle is a good example of this. All I was pointing out is that now we have Woffy, Lambert and Bewley doing well on the world scene, it buys us a bit of time to find the next Woffy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pinny 2,536 Posted August 25, 2021 9 hours ago, Daniel Smith said: This 'superstar' you talk of probably haven't been on a bike yet. I can absolutely say with confidence, that rider will not come from this group of rider's being talked about. Some of our current youngsters are already 19-20 or close too & not cutting it as Premiership reserves, just managing 2 averages. We're absolutely levels below foreign U21's at thos moment. 100% we have no high quality potential coming through after Dan Bewley. Many are blinded by the lack of quality throughout in the British leagues. Exactly right, people thinking the current crop are set for huge things because their beating eachother in the UK leagues are dreaming. Fair play to Lambert and Bewley, they went abroad and stuck at it and are reaping the rewards. Staying in the UK with the odd under 21's meeting abroad will do nothing to improve them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iainb 5,011 Posted August 25, 2021 14 hours ago, mikebv said: They will no doubt want to keep four Poles per team... Will they though? I've only read a google translated press release which was a bit garbled, but, If Ekstaliga clubs are to run U24 teams of 7 riders will they still need their protected reserve positions in the A Team, a lot of whom this season have been massively out of their depth? Or will they be filling those 16 places with more experienced non-poles from around the world. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,638 Posted August 25, 2021 (edited) The current group of 17-19 year old is the strongest we have had for a long time, and there is a reasonable chance that one of them will make it to the GPS, but any more than that is being over optimistic. For all the promise that a rider shows at an early age there is a long way to go to make it to the top. The best two UK reared 15 year old prodigies in the 27 seasons of the NL remain David Howe and Lewis Bridger. Edited August 25, 2021 by arnieg 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
secsy1 212 Posted August 25, 2021 Some really negative posts on here, probably from supporters who think they are up to date, but are detached from reality. People speaking about big wide tracks in Poland and the throttle jockeys, with no one under 20 on the British radar. REALLY !!!! With the possible expansion of the Polish League, this is a great opportunity for British Speedway. How`s that you are wondering? Both Germany and Latvia have a team in the Polish League, why not a British one? This would help develop our young riders along with their foreign young rivals of similar talent. A couple of Premier League tracks are big and wide enough and sufficient Stadium facilities to do this. Firstly and foremost there is a market out their to attract a new and younger audience. To move forward you must invest in the future. Wait a minute who is going to take such a risk financially, well with everyone always slating greedy promoters for taking all and giving nothing back. Potentially the gains outweigh the losses. He who dares wins. Waiting in anticipation of all and sundry slaters, roll up roll up !!!!!!!!!!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Dog 413 Posted August 25, 2021 It's an idea similar to the Super League that Matt Ford spoke about years ago which was met with a lot of negativity, but yes, why not give it a go? What has British speedway got to lose? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
