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Did you not originally say it was about where people were born? So what if Artem continued to represent Russia. They hadn't invaded the Ukraine then. He's not representing them any more because they have banned him for speaking out. Surely the purpose of sanctioning Russian people was to get them to turn against Putin wasn't it? So what purpose does the West banning those that have done so and subsequently been banned in Russia? Surely they should be supported so that people are encouraged to do the same.

Internal Russian dissent is exactly the desired outcome of the international ban. First off I feel terribly sorry for the individuals and it would be much better if Artem and Emil were in the SGP. But this situation is much bigger than that and a stance had to be taken. Let's face it I doubt Artem would have earned a living from riding in Russia anyway, there doesn't seem to be many fixtures. Happy to concede this point as I've not researched it. To illustrate the point, if you imagine that Speedway was the biggest sport in Russia and Artem the most famous sportsperson. Firstly the international ban would have robbed the Russian public with the opportunity to see their favourite defend his title which would have been a disappointment and provoked some thought as to the reason for the ban. The Russian public might view if as unjust by the west and continue to support their regime. Then their own authorities also ban him robbing them of seeing him ride in their own country. Now you're asking questions again. Still the public might turn against Artem for his anti-Russian sentiment. At which point the international ban has been pointless. However, if the combination of denying participation in global events, withdrawal of global brand products and economic hardship result in dissention within the populace then there is a chance this invasion could end. There's bound to be some other mad man despot polishing his ice pick just waiting for the chink in Putin's armour. And pulling out of Ukraine might just be the way of getting the gig, Huzzaah!! One for fans of "The Great" there. I know speedway isn't and this particular ban is ineffectual in reality but you can't go half arsed in these circumstances. There has to be a united message. The question of nationality is tricky. Particularly as the World becomes a smaller place. Is it where you were physically born, or where you grew up, or where your parents are from, or where you contribute economically/hold a passport? Just reading about Palace's Michael Olise who is English, French, Algerian and Nigerian at the same time. In the case of the sporting ban the only criteria that can be applied is the nation the individual represents. Unfortunately for Artem and Emil that is Russia. You can argue all you like about them being Polish citizens or whatever but in a sporting sense they represent Russia and you can try to say they could represent Poland or not represent any country but it's a flimsy smokescreen which only serves to weaken the message. Whilst this might mean the end of Laguta's speedway career, compared to the end of innocent Ukrainian and Russian lives, it's insignificant. It's an impossible situation but a stance has to be taken to demonstrate to the Russian people that the actions of the regime that governs them are immoral and not acceptable. You can't do that if you're making exceptions and concessions because it's a bit unfair on some individuals who we generally like because they entertain us.

It makes you question whether in the act of becoming a Speedway Promoter do these numpties forget all and disengage their brains from remembering what it is to be an actual supporter paying at the gate ? How often is a drawn match likely to be a reflection of a hard fought match that in the end we usually say 'a draw was a fair result' or 'It would be a shame for anyone to have lost tonight'. How often is a drawn match a 'bad result' that needs to be modified by an extra race ? And that after a nominated heat 15 anyway. And with the match points reflecting the away team's success at running so close as well. And a different crappy point scoring for that one race.

A Danish rider at a Wednesday track seems strange to me.

Claus Vissing announced! If Ellis is another confirmee thats potentially some side!

At the height of his career he was only a 7.5 man.That was mainly achieved on his home performances on big fast tracks.That would be my concern.He’s a good lad and I wish him well though.

So extrapolate this out to see why it makes sense. All Russian sports people are banned by international sports authorities. The Russian authorities than ban them all. So all Russian sports people are therefore now allowed to compete in international events. Representing some banner but in reality representing Russia. Massive boost for Putin. "I told you they wouldn't ban our sports people". It's like telling a fat bloke he's banned from eating pies and then giving him a pie as soon as he says he doesn't want one. As long as he pretends he's not a fat bloke, even though everyone knows he is.

It is showing a nasty aggressor who has declared war on a country that virtually the whole world is against their dispicable action. Whether this action is by restricting banking, stopping exports to that country, closing businesses, ……or banning their sportsmen on the world scene. It’s all sending a message to Putin…..his actions are depraved and deemed not acceptable. This war is not going to end this year, maybe Russia will win this current battle, but the people of Ukraine are not going to roll over and come under Russias control quietly, they going to continue gorilla warfare for a long time.

Diesel at £1.80 a ltr... Council Tax up by 4%... Gas and Electric between 50 to 100% increase on the year from April... Inflation up 6%... And NI Contribution up by 1.5% from this month.. A good time then to put an increase on your admission....? Presume there must be a new leading link fork on the market that will make every rider who buys one a world champion...?

Others might think that Laguta and Emil`s main consideration in saying what they have is their wallets.

Good signing

Well, they've done it again haven't they? They've had their meeting and someone has come up with some thought from the top of their head and they've all gone: "Oh, what a wizard idea" and voted it in. What happened in the Championship? Did they say: "That's a bit silly. The points system is already worked out to account for drawn matches" so just the Premiership voted it in? They even forgot to tell anyone, so a lot of people won't even know what is going on with the extra race, never mind the fact that the points scored are different to in every other heat. If they want to do this, then use it for cup matches not league matches. Daft.

While looks more competitive side than anyone predicted I don't see that tbh. Claus is a good guy but has had essentially 2 years out the sport don't see him maintaining his average as no.1. only need ask Scunthorpe fans opinion on Ellis last season in the championship and with auty, Shanes and Morris while will do well at home don't see picking up many points on the road

Good signing Claus, good guy and solid heat leader. Happy to see him fixed up in UK again

I'd have nee probs then lol

He's some kid! Definitely putting points on his average

He was born in Russia and that makes him Russian You cannot change your home of origin/birth just by becoming a citizen of another country. The whole situation is hugely unfair on Artem and all the other Russian athletes and sports people, but the world has to be in unison on this issue.

Kildermand and injured go hand in hand

PERRY BARR!

James Pearson will complete the team. After ellis

You really should wind your neck in,from what I've heard you more than contributed to the demise of Eastbourne with your constant whinging to the dugards

He retired from Sheffield before he got any where near what he could have achieved The years away obviously didn't help when he came back and he never did reach his full potential Hope he does well, can still remember when he came into the team, 2002 i think, and looked to be going places, and then the early retirement

Cheers man. Much better memory than me. Presuming the 7 matches were friendlies or cup competition. Aye beating Barghie would have gotten me riled back in the day. Mind Phil Jeffrey ended up being a decent Diamond. I was surprised he'd only done three seasons in the black and white. I thought he'd been a stalwart for a number of seasons at number 2. Funny how the mind plays tricks but glad my recollections of Nixon weren't completely gaga.

Sad news. When I went down to a press day at Plough Lane in the early 2000's, I had a nice little chat with Dennis. Nice guy...

I am sure any one contemplating a foreign summer holiday are not going to cancel plans even if their local speedway reduces prices by £5. What speedway needs to do is stream, stream, stream. If someone feels they cannot afford getting to a stadium, plus pie and drink (though not really a necessity), as well entrance fee, but can afford £10-£12 for a stream. It’s got to be a way forward for speedway but how many tracks will do it.

What you have to remember Mike, is that the rises you mention affect everyone. That includes the business of running the stadium, and the riders. They, like you and I, will be paying the increases. So why should admission charges be held back? No price increase, track closes, cant pay the bills.

Yep hope he can. Buster had the AFA a bit less grippy last season. That should help NKI if it stays the same this season.

Not for me- to replace a heat leader in Extraleague is nigh impossible- the clubs involved are hardly to blame so fairest outcome in my opinion would be RR - as long as they are in top 3 of the clubs averages( as existing rule for RR).

To be reviewed at the start of May.Does that mean if he is doing well he stays as long as it fits with his other commitments.

I just cannot see the point of this extra "super heat ". What is wrong with a draw in a League match? It has been fine since League Speedway started. Usually both teams supporters go home happy. It will just drag the match out, as most if not all the riders in the super heat, will have ridden in heat 15. So another long delay !!! The supporters dont seem keen on this, and it will cost the promoters more wages, as the riders wont be racing for nothing in this race. So why bring it in?

tom perry looks like he might be riding again

Or save £205 by not going at all.....

If Vlad the Invader keeps on rolling there could be an abundance of riders available for; if not the start of the season; soon there after; because Poland are not exactly sitting secure at the minute are they. Regards THJ

Where else will you get non stop entertainment from the minute you walk in to the minute you leave.

Laguta should be allowed to ride if he's at all able to. I feel that quite strongly. This, to me, misses the point of the reason why Russian's have been expelled from the series.

The situation is pretty rubbish but there is no way they should be allowed to use RR. It’s the sort of thing that gets laughed about in British Speedway and shouldn’t be allowed to use RR for a banned rider at the start of a season.

Would they still get 1 point if they fail to provide a finisher in the superheat, making it a seven nil? This scenario may be unlikely, but not impossible.

I should think it’s not been communicated because it’s took some time to sort it out. Maximum no of rides, tape and time exclusions, penalties etc for riders, falls on the first bend, machinery problems as a result of a first bend crash, or riders getting injured as a result all come into play and I should think as per usual the person thinking up this brainwave up hasn’t thought of any of these problems and just thought it would be a good idea, a bit like Promotion and Relegation and all the other super two or three year plans that get ditched after one year. This has proposed for Televised matches written all over it. And for the record their were four draws in the Premiership last year.

Boris Johnson was born in New York. Do you consider him to be American? Ben Stokes was born in New Zealand but plays for the England cricket team.

My view on Pearson too. He's a fantastic prospect.

He's the new Darcy Ward ! I think Leigh Adams has mentored him ?

He's something else....leaves Flint/Kemp and any other British youngster trailing...

He barely rode in Denmark last year

It makes no sense to me. Why ban a rider who the Russians have banned for speaking out against Vladimir Putin? How does that send any form of message to the Russian authorities? It is effectively supporting the moves made by Russia. I don't get it. How does this encourage Russian people to speak out against the war? If anything it will make them less likely to.

They were on the 2021 list. Has a 2022 been published?

Being British Champion must have its perks.

A funny thought occurred after talking to Rob Lyon recently (see above). If the Panthers were Dad's Army last year, what do we call them this year now they're a year older? Well a cursory look into the history of teams that have won the "top league", back beyond the formation of the British League in '65, has revealed that the team that won the southern league in 1929 was the Stamford Bridge Pensioners. So there we have it. "The Peterborough Pensioners"

And a home team drawing previously only get 1 point but now a chance of 3 If home wins with full points awarded are so vital I give it a couple of seasons before the regulations change to award the home team 3 points just for hosting the meeting

So an away team losing the superheat gets 1 point.... the same as losing by 6...

Lmfao . Broken record .