Big Al

Maybe some, but in 2014 season i think most home match dates avoided clashing with the GP Saturdays, so can't see a problem in doing the same again in 2015 especially with 2 fewer matches. It could be that other FIM events like the Pairs, and any demands by Doyle's polish club Torun for him to attend Saturday practice, will be more of a problem. If he decides to take part in the GP qualifying process as well, that could really make things difficult. The World Cup's during June next year,and he's bound to be selected by Australia. He's going to have his work cut out!

His brother can guest if he's not available! I've heard Auty's not exactly a good gater and its true he never got on with BP track in the PL matches - but he does have experience at EL level, including of the tracks that are now left, so maybe he's a strong contender still. If Blackbird is as "anti" as you say he is, then it's a pick between Wright and Auty.

Charles Wright?

Stepping up the charm offensive with Doyle and getting Wozniak's average settled have to be the first things to get sorted. We'll find out who's available for the reserve places sometime over the next couple of weeks, i'd guess. If DH is expecting Wozniak to be assessed at 4.00 as per Milik last season, he might be a bit disappointed but i'm sure he's trying to swing it, a-la Ford!!

But only if it's a fast track reserve That's the problem. What we need is a visionary Dictator Well, there's a three-in-seven chance of a playoff place next season (that's on the basis of Poole being assured in advance). So DH didn't get quite what he was angling for at the AGM, then. Now we wait and see what Wozniak's assessed average will be. I've a feeling DH could be disappointed again.

You cannot be serious

DH's - of getting his proposals accepted. Maybe not, but he has a habit of pulling rabbits out of the hat every now and then

You don't rate his chances too highly, then !?

So how will DH fare with his ideas being accepted at the promoters conference? Or is it just a case of rubber-stamping decisions already made? Would be quite a fortunate co-incidence, after the signing of Wozniak, if his proposal for one of the reserves being an under-22 rider from anywhere in the world was adopted !! I completely agree with him about the "product" being in need of improvement - I presume he was talking about the Elite League format and team composition. Some of the teams put out towards the end of this season in some Elite League matches, whatever the reasons, were a complete disgrace and an insult to the people who forked out to go and watch. But there's so much about the Elite League "product" in need of improving, it's difficult to know where to start. Better racing is one of them, because the PL seems to be ahead in that respect, unless gate & go's your preference.

A bit soon for this? I don't think so. Scenario 1. The Elite league continues, even if it does reduce down to 8 teams. Tracks stay with their established race nights (including Leicester's Saturdays), and enough "top" riders continue to ride in the UK. A new league sponsor is even brought on board. The clubs finances are swelled by bumper attendances from the remaining 2014 home meetings. 2014 season ticket holders are delighted with the value of their purchase, including the way the loss of the two Birmingham matches was handled, and most of them make early decisions to buy 2015 ones. Leicester build their 2015 team around Jason Doyle, and the mistakes of 2014 with the reserves are not repeated. All 7 riders are genuinely committed to a full season and the team becomes a good playoffs candidate. Sales of 2015 season tickets soar on the back of this, and the excellent entertainment continues to draw ever larger crowds. People who have drifted away throughout 2011-2014 begin to return. Club finances are healthy, and the bank is happy. Scenario 2. The Elite league, in order to just stay in existence, under pressure from the top riders and emerging influence of the Danish league, changes to all matches taking place on one night per week (and that night is not Saturdays). Jason Doyle, being an asset of theirs, returns to Swindon, but Leicester assemble a team of mostly mid-order riders, being unable to afford a star rider. Results are at best inconsistent, crowds dwindle, there's no additional income (no new league sponsor). People who drifted away during 2011-2014 stay away, most of them for good. There are very few (if any) season ticket sales, and most of the 2014 season ticket holders don't renew because they are deeply dis-satisfied at the value of their purchase. A lot of this disgruntlement stems from highly unsatisfactory compensation for the two "lost" Birmingham matches and poor entertainment levels. Income during the last part of the 2014 season, doesn't match expectations or needs in spite of the promotion's ever increasing desperation to generate income and market the club and the entertainment. Constant plugs/claims in the Leicester Mercury by Mr Hemsley fail to convince enough people, and taking collection buckets around shopping centres only raises 5p. Leicester City Council takes action to enforce the carrying out of planning requirements (which had become well overdue), which entails considerable expense to the club. The bank is not happy. So - which scenario is more likely? Will things actually be better than scenario 1? Or worse than scenario 2? Or somewhere in between? Place your bets (but not with bet365).

Dear Eurosport Please can you tell that imbecile who is commentating on the SWC at the moment, that the winner of a heat scores three points. Not three big points, just three. They only come in one size. But it's perfectly possible to say that a heat win is crucial, or vital etc. Better still, replace him with the guy who commentates for you on Swedish league matches (Dave Rowe); he seems knowledgeable and not like he is high on cocaine. Thank you

I can touch type - took 5 minutes

He's probably on a "Monster" wage Wonderful things, blood transfusions! Pity the benefits start to wear off after 10 heats

PK being stalked by a giant herb?? Not surprised he's a bit distracted Seriously though....riders being shipped off for financial reasons is probably nothing new. Not entirely sure - but had the impression that Karlsson had a tendency to tail-off in his scoring towards the end of matches during the first part half of the season and there could be all kinds of possible causes for that, including the dreaded father thyme. You have to think of the accumulation of effects from injuries taking toll especially if you compare him with another well-known 44 year-old. Three wins on the bounce last night showed there's still life in the old dog though! But I am curious at some performances by a number of riders of late, and wonder what's behind it. Priorities elsewhere, match format, pay structure, average reduction. On the reverse side of the coin you have Klindt, who is seemingly struggling a bit to justify his no.1 jacket at Scunthorpe, but is beating so-called top EL riders both home and away for Leicester and has qualified for the GP challenge final. How do you explain that one? Are the two themes linked?

Which Woffinden will turn up? Will the weather make that question irrelevant? Sadly, I looks very unlikely that PK will stick two fingers up to Mr Hemsley unless he has a sudden drastic rejuvenation!

I think many people are saying that's exactly what Woffinden has done! And I wouldn't disagree. So many commitments, one of them is just bound to be lowest priority. His very "chilled" responses during the interviews showed that up loud and clear - as long as he got the chance to wave the Monster bottle around.

Well he is highly unlikely to be replaced in the team for the rest of the season, if only because the alternatives for Leicester are very limited indeed. So, if he is given assurance to that effect, he might just relax a bit more (but not too much!!) especially if he's also told there's no massive expectations on him. Maybe just focus most on keeping his front wheel closer to the ground out of the gate, and not much more than that.

Hope your humour bypass operation went well

As an exercise in futility, that would be up there with trying to persuade a religious fundamentalist that his beliefs are sh~t.

Maybe - but it's the bit at the end that betrays other motives

Mr Hemsley's recent output reveals something. That he is increasingly desperate to generate new customers (who will visit once and then never return) and is now grasping at any "free of cost" opportunity to "market" his product to the unsuspecting public of Leicestershire. But the more he talks it up and makes ridiculous "guarantees" the more chance that any new punters will be turned off when they realise they've had £16 ripped off them. As I said, it's desperation stuff.

TEN times !!!! You clearly need help

I think a psychological profile would make for interesting reading.....

He was correct up until the final sentence. He is getting desperate.

When PK guested for Leicester a while ago, it was only announced shortly prior to the meeting - up until then, Leicester's No.1 had been "A.N.Other". I drew the conclusion afterwards, that PK had been holding-out for similar/same money to his Lakeside pay (and maybe even more), especially as it was a Saturday in the middle of about 6 consecutive meetings across various countries. Presumably he got what he was wanting, because after scoring 4 (mostly by beating team-mates) our beloved promoter had a go at him in the local press and had a little hissy fit about the expense of guests. More fool him (or Norrie Allan) for hiring PK at a track he would struggle to score at in his prime! So maybe Wolves now have him at a bit less money than he was on at Lakeside. But it would be fun if he scored a few at Leicester a week on Monday!! When PK guested for Leicester a while ago, it was only announced shortly prior to the meeting - up until then, Leicester's No.1 had been "A.N.Other". I drew the conclusion afterwards, that PK had been holding-out for similar/same money to his Lakeside pay (and maybe even more), especially as it was a Saturday in the middle of about 6 consecutive meetings across various countries. Presumably he got what he was wanting, because after scoring 4 (mostly by beating team-mates) our beloved promoter had a go at him in the local press and had a little hissy fit about the expense of guests. More fool him (or Norrie Allan) for hiring PK at a track he would struggle to score at in his prime! So maybe Wolves now have him at a bit less money than he was on at Lakeside. But it would be fun if he scored a few at Leicester a week on Monday!!