Col

Zagar was an absolute pleasure to watch at the NSS all year, but his away scores were generally disappointing. Fricke was better away from the NSS but I'd expect Bewley to be better. Kurtz was pretty good away from NSS score wise as was Wright. I actually think Belle Vue maybe less dominant at the NSS in 2023 than they were in 2022 but better on their travels.

Unless Zagar is signed by another team... not sure if he's contemplating retirement as not announced as riding in Poland or Sweden AFAIK.

I don't think he does.... From https://www.bellevue-speedway.com/news/belle-vue-aces-2023 I have assumed Lidsey starts at reserve, as his average is the 6th highest ignoring Brennan's 25% RS reduction.

Ekstraliga stats for Lidsey compare well with Premiership 2022 riders.... 26. Jaimon Lidsey 1,628 27. Frederik Jakobsen 1,616 28. Jack Holder 1,602 Elitserien less so... 28. Rohan Tungate 1,700 32. Luke Becker 1,667 41. Jaimon Lidsey 1,425

Lidsey should & Brennan maybe, Blödorn is only 18, would expect him to be at reserve after the first set of averages.. And if he averages enough to get out of the reserve berth he'll be doing well. Needs to improve his away form, but showed signs of doing so at Foxhall & Owlerton in the playoffs with some crucial points.

Too many ifs. Bewley needs to do what Doyle did for Ipswich in 2022, Bewley was better than Doyle in GP's, Elitserien, Zlatá přilba but not Ekstraliga. Same again from Kurtz & Wright. Lidsey needs to be the big improver. If Brennan & Blodorn maintain their averages out of the reserve berth, no more can be expected but I'd imagine both will spend time at reserve. Don't expect much of Mulford, averages less than Jack Smith in NDL. What is this massive home advantage? No Zagar, no home advantage. Lidsey has quite a void to fill. Announced Tigers with Ellis as final piece in jigsaw look stronger. Are Wright's bones being infused with adamantium while the residents of Wakanda build him race suits?

Guessing Lidsey will end up as third heat leader, or that is at least the hope. Does Lidsey start at reserve? Don't know anything about Jake Mulford. Does that mean Kemp & Rowe have no premiership place in 2023?

Yes, the year the Brummies were decimated by injuries - Legault, Roynon the two that spring to mind - I said if Roynon manages to gate in front of Lyons once (they were paired at 3 & 4) he'd take a second off the track record he was that quick. Such a shame.

Full team announcement next Monday (12/12).

If Morris can stay injury free he will make a mockery of that average, probably capable of 6.5-7 including crucial points when it matters. Shame it didn't go well at Perry Barr for him last season, he's local & clearly cares for the club Good luck Ash.

Kings Lynn are certainly nothing if not patient!

Would say Bears have advantage in top 2 & at reserve but Cheetah's have a more solid engine room! But similar teams in terms of construction. What do I know, I only saw two Championship fixtures last year!

In fairness... I was including a TS win for one of them Haven't seen Cheetah's line-up.

The team seems a bit top heavy to me, but the three heat leaders should get the Bears to 35 points at every away track, depends what the other 4 can pick up.

Oh yes, didn't spot him there..

3.18 I believe. Complin & Dan Thompson would leave 5.74 for final rider.

5.22. 5.09 for Team building.

Poole have announced nothing other than Danny King is leaving.

14.01 is what I make Brummies have left team building wise after the 4 announced signings. Jack Smith listed as 2.90 on BSPA site (under Newcastle) which with 2.5% Brit reduction makes his team building average 2.83.

Wells only averaged about 5.5 for Berwick, shocking really. Heard it was to be his last season before (Speedway) retirement.

WTF? The post I quoted clearly stated Ashley Morris. The social media posts have said Nick Morris & Justin Sedgeman will spearhead the Brummies in 2023. So I would suggest that they're the Brummies heat leaders in 2023. Where is the confusion?

Why? Didn't see much of him in 2022 but always gave his all & scored crucial points in 2021 when required. Just needed to cut out the odd fall. A Brummies social media post said Morris & Sedgeman will spearhead the team, so I wouldn't expect a rider to be signed with a higher average than Sedgeman. Lee Complin? Hasn't he retired for the fifth time yet? He's not a rider likely to improve his average much these days.

I don't think it does, a fair few riders came to speedway in their 20's from motocross and never competed the NL/CL. They get the 2.5%, the fact that Schlein has represented Australia at the SWC would mean he is not eligible for Team GB which is surely the reason why riders get 2.5% off their average.

Batchelor didn't ride in either of the Premiership Pairs meetings I attended, I'm sure it was King at EoESg and Riss at the NSS. I would have attended the PP meeting at Owlerton, but....

7.14 was Schlein's end of 2021 GSA according to the BSPA history archive so should be that.