AndyM

Bjerre won't win of course, but he's capable of throwing in the odd shock to a fancied runner! Steep learning curve in these GPs.

Offer riders in a race four identical bikes and let them choose one at random. Then it's pot luck which performs better or worse!

Whatever you say!

Obviously what I meant You don't need to uninvent technology to simplify or standardise it, as proven by F1. But the alternative is costs spiralling out of control, speedway becoming uneconomic and contracting still further. Or maybe that's what you'd prefer, because the costs certainly aren't reducing at the moment!

What of the Brits? Can't see either Nicholls or Richardson putting in the sort of consistency to win the series, though one of them might just pull off one GP victory this year. Still don't think either has what it takes to be world champ, but then I wouldn't necessarily have predicted Loram's victory either.

Yes, wouldn't be surprised to see an Adams revival, though I always thought his biggest hurdle was mental rather than his equipment. Sure he'll be very difficult to stop if he gets his nose in front, but Crumpie won't give up without a fight. In fact, if the younger generation is making progress, it could be one of the most open championships since Loram won the title without winning a single GP!

Think both of those two will need to pay their dues for some time yet before they can hope to reach the levels of consistency needed to win the GP series (nor Lindback for the same reason.) Winning one GP alone is not enough. Very few have the stamina, which is why you don't need to look too far beyond Crump, Ricko and Adams. Hancock is a bit long in the tooth, and I can't see Pedersen or Gollob mounting a credible threat again, though some people think the relative lack of temporary tracks plays into his hands.

Pablo, I've been saying for years that machinery should be standardised, slowed down and simplified to cut costs and make the kit more reliable and longer-lasting, all the more relevant in the light of what F1 is doing. There would of course be more benefits too - it might equalise the field, make for greater entertainment value, put the emphasis back on skill and teamwork rather than out-and-out speed and hopefully cut injuries in the process. The BSPA have had several opportunities to do this in the past, but have shied away every time. They did look into the idea of running a tender for the supply of all engines for a season from one factory (eg. Jawa or GM), but beat a hasty retreat when one (Jawa I think) threatened legal action. The bulk-buy standardisation should have been pursued, since it could have saved the sport an absolute fortune, but I can't see anyone taking it on now. In my estimation, it would not be at all difficult to provide a machine specification that is much cheaper to buy and maintain, if anyone has the courage to do so. Why is this not on the promoter's agenda?

...but flat!

Much though I like Copenhagen, Prague is a fantastic place to visit, drink beer, soak up the culture and atmosphere etc. Very old and unspoiled city, but pretty lively nightlife. Unfortunately I've seen speedway in neither city, so that may not be good enough for you!

As a veteran of 45 already, I can assure everyone that you feel no different to when you were 18, but your body can't quite keep up with your mind! Other times, you feel ready for the knacker's yard, but keep going regardless. It's a barrel of laughs, so keep smiling!

During the infamous run-off against Anders Michanek for the KO Cup at Hyde Road, in fact, where the riders passed and repassed on each bend for four laps before PC got the nod. He had the throttle and clutch on his left hand because he'd broken a wrist. As for genuinely left-handed riders, I expect most of them use right-handed throttles to this day. Don't know of any who have configured a bike the opposite way around.

Except that Gollob won't win, unless you're thinking of betting on him winning the Polish GP! Adams at 5-1 seems the most realistic prospect of earning some dosh, providing his can cure the mental hiccups that seem to prevent him repeating his league form on the top stage.

Unfortunately, on some tracks and weather conditions, you might just as well award the race before it's started because passing is almost an impossibility without mistakes. No matter how brilliant the handicapped rider, they can't take a short-cut or break the laws of physics!

Having seen various attempts at handicap racing, I've never been terribly impressed. When I saw the Olympique meeting, various riders are able to use the handicapping rules to their advantage, so they didn't appear to be trying too hard in some races. In a league context, it would be very difficult to apply without gross distortion. Perhaps we should take a leaf out of horseracing and strap weights to Crumpie, Trick and Adams?

Quite a number have UK passports anyway through British grandparents. That or they can lay claim to EC state ancestry. This surely stops only a relative trickle of antipodean newcomers?

Wouldn't have thought there was a lot of competition for Zagar out there. Don't think anyone else would cut it in EL.

So no race-off between the riders as an option? Even the toss of a coin would be better than (d)! Whoever devised these rules should be exposed to the real world - might be an eye-opener for them

Hardly surprising that Norwegians should cheer a Swede louder than an Aussie, is it?

No doubt about it - riders are whinging about unfair riding a whole bunch more than they did 30 years ago. They also seem to go down a lot easier nowadays, possibly in some cases to trick refs. Crump is a shining paragon of virtue compared to many riders!

He who laughs last and all that Won't be you, for sure!

...but you ain't gonna get him, so think again! Andersen may have done well this time, but I reckon Crumpie will be quite content with a 23-point lead and 3 GPs to go. Start engraving his name on the trophy!

Tell me you're kidding. There was some awesome racing, illustrating the fact that the interim circuit had at least three racing lines. Just to choose one example at random, have you seen better than the race between Laukkanen and Jensen? And there were plenty more examples of fine, close racing to choose from. Big - and particularly wide - is always better (Sheffield, KL and best of the lot, Hyde Road, Manchester in the good old days.) Most small tracks are restricted in width and tend to have tight bends that restrict passing opportunities unless mistakes are made.

Pedersen deserved to be excluded, a fact that even he would surely acknowledge if he saw the video. In fact, Tony Steele's only faulty decision was failing to stop the race and exclude Hancock. That Nicholls didn't go down is irrelevant - he should have been excluded for cutting up another rider, even though it was accidental (due to hitting a rut.)

Being able to do it consistently is what the GP is all about. He needs to be able to ride every sort of track and gate well when it matters - a skill that so many nearly men have failed to grasp. Ken's got the potential to go all the way, but I think he could do with the help of a Mauger to iron out the flaws in his game and achieve a truly professional attitude. Can't wait to see the results if he did!