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What makes you both think that? On pure 2025 averages (across all meetings) alone, Mitch was higher... 6.18 - Mitchell McDiarmid 5.68 - Fraser Bowes Do you think Bowes will improve more than McDiarmid in 2026 - at a new home track, whereas Mitch is at the same track as in 2025? I can't it even see it being close in Mitch's favour. Each to their own though.

shall I put it this way... ...the Premiership only had 6 riders who were too good for the Championship, I know there were more who didn't tide in the championship but the likes of Becker, Brennan, Douglas and Pickering are hardly world stars. Excellent but not in the top 20 riders in the world. If you want a premium product it has to be that. This season at least two of those 6 won't be riding. Personally I don't think you can offer a premium product in this country because the infrastructure, apart from the NSS, isn't conducive to it. In terms of either the tracks or stadia. But if you do need a premium product find a format in which you can at least see a high % of those top 20 riders in the world.

A very big gamble if it happens, at sometime in the last few seasons he has gone AWOL for one reason or another. But on his day can score 12-15 points on any track, remember Plymouth in 2024 he did not like the track, but ended up unbeaten 😁 but if he signs Comets could have 3 potential number ones in the team, jesper, batch and cookie

Love or hate him but Cookie is still one of the best riders in the league that’s the fact here we can all probably agree with. For me and whatever the reason was he shouldn’t of left last season he’s realistically got a few years left in the tank he’s a local lad and has the best track and set up in the country on his doorstep, if he does put the blue and white on again I feel he will be fired up to do what he knows he can and with that it gives us a lot of strength and experience in the big heats. Craig and Troy are some of the best team riders in the league, I also agree with the comment above him and Tate team rode so well together and were 5-1 machines at 1 and 2. Lets see what’s announced next! Give us a C

Flagrag also said we have a “great new number 1”. Anyone’s guess who that is. I’d just like some confirmation that we’re running first!

Hmmm. I smell something fishy here and it’s not the contents of Baldrick’s apple crumble.

I’d be surprised if Bowes outscores Mcdirmad this season.

well argued

Scunny I’d have had Lambert and Perry as final two and I’m sure majority of others would too.

I wasn’t too excited about it when I first heard about the possibility. But, after thinking about it, we would have a potentially strong top 5 that will run any team close every week. Like someone has said, he had a brilliant relationship with Tate and they could pair up again to carry on that partnership.

It’s easier to sell a business that’s still trading, but a licence to run a speedway club is hardly taking over a business … I had heard even before CL’s announcement that he is prepared to put the licence on ice for a season. Trying to operate a 5-team Premiership is ridiculous - and BSPL’s statement that 2026 would include a KOC-Up is beyond laughable.

Howarth is staying at Leicester 🤷🏻‍♂️ I think both Holder’s will still be at Sheffield tbh, with Picko Flint Rowe Harrison and one other

Couldn’t disagree,also Nick Morris think he could put 2pts plus on his.

I presume by Nick you mean old Sniffer Morris?

Scott in the NDT around Lynn was class. He showed he can gate and race from the back. Watching him work his way through was a highlight. Deserves a chance and he’s local.

Whoever does take Ipswich forward in 2026 I can see Musielak in that team, his mechanic is based there and can put up good scores around Foxhall

Mitchell Cluff rider number 5, on a 3.00 average at reserve. Believe that puts them on 26.33 (13.67 remaining) Castagna 7.05+ Thomsen 5.93 would be the most likely combination. Giving them 0.69, I reckon that is unlikely and the Monarchs have something else lined up.

Sweden Tuesdays, Denmark Wednesdays and Poland weekends, leaves Monday and Thursday free for uk

You may be correct, who knows. If you are, then Louis needs to be careful that he is not painting himself into a corner. Closing the club down for a year is very likely to decrease its value further particularly in a downgraded ‘one league scenario’ for 2027. Also, it’s easier to sell a business that is still trading. Taking an offer now could be preferable to a reduced offer or even no offers following the 2026 season. Perhaps, he is hoping for a 2027 model that is more to his liking and continuing to run the club after a seasons break. Only time will tell.

YouTube link for tonight - start time 1800 Polish time, 5pm UK: https://www.youtube.com/live/T0BOqqFNfFo?si=A-vstIo9uUTx_L5h

Indeed. If he's capable of producing this in the Premiership, he's an absolute steal on his average in the Championship. A real trump card (as long as he's healthy).

With the points limit being as it is, I imagine all teams will have a long ish tail

I would think it is because the desire is to have riders that are of a standard fit to be in the top league rather than filling a team with fodder to gerrymander the remaining places Personally with a RS position in place I would say that the other reserve should actually have to be at least 4 points let alone 3 or even2! (and non Brits should not be allowedto drop below this figure) The other point in this which I will put forward in a devil's advocate role (because I understand the attraction of wanting the best for your team) This shows some of the reason why the sport in the state it is - despite all that has gone on, and the league all but falling apart, (not out of the woods yet) the first serious chat about team building involves how the regulations may be changed/manipulated in order to give a team an advantage And we wonder how we got to this point.....

That’s why I go and why I enjoy the Colts so much. Unfortunately many fans don’t and the draw of the top riders is a true and definite thing despite what’s written on here. At the NSS, Colts fixtures get more fans than U16 events, Aces fixtures get more fans than Colts, PCMT get more fans than Aces and GP’s get more fans than PCMT. It all down to the level of rider on show. Also on each of these steps fans are happy to pay more to watch these top riders.

They are a bit behind, usually paying hmrc🪖

Of course they're on the way down, ex GP riders on the way up don't race in the Champ lol! Anyway, while I get your point, Batchelor's form last season allows him to be a 3rd heat leader, while Cook was decent (when he was there). At their peaks, team would be over the limit. Biggest issue with Cook would be him not starting the season, as long as he starts the club could use guests if he went missing. I think the silence when he goes missing goes against Cook. If for example he came out & said "I'm having mental health issues & have been signed off by a doctor" I think people would be far more understanding. But when he doesn't turn up & clubs say very little, fans could feel he just can't be bothered.

That top 3 riders would be good as you have said there are 3 riders there who could be a number 1 rider

Fricke officially not at the Lions in 2026, also in the statement 37 points limit is confirmed in the statement.

If he closes then the rights are still protected for 3 years after closure so essentially you have to deal with Louis and can't swerve it

If he chooses not to run in 2026 then the company he is selling will be liable for the contracted rent of the stadium. A good indication of what that cost would be is to allocate a significant portion of what is stated in the 2024 accounts as due to creditors within one year. so something between £30k/£50k. It is highly unlikely that there is not already a rental agreement in place for 2026 in which case should Chris choose not to run in 2026 if faces the decision of either paying the lease/rent or putting the company into receivership. The consequence being two fold. 1. No business to sell and 2. The need for a new promoter to start up a new speedway club. Maybe there is a mid-ground to this but nothing really favors Chris deciding the Witches sit out 2026.

Bit harsh. Ashfield was modernised years ago.

Maybe Max’s average doesn’t fit and they need to have a 2 pointer to fit in the other remaining rider to be announced?

please dont question his average youll be accused of ruining the whole sport soon.

Fricke has definitely signed for King’s Lynn (I heard that from Masters himself)

So Lynn have 4.3 ish left for the last rider then

I've just come in from the shed having spent a couple of hours with a piece of 4x2 that shows greater understanding He may or may not be out of his depth but in the team listed he is the RS so does not carry any average and therefore irrelevant to the debate Each team has that young Brit in that place The No6 position does form part of the team limit and it is there that the minimum standard requirement is pertinent Now Cooper may or may not struggle in that position. If he excels even I would be delighted. By crikey we could do with a dozen more like him! However he is rather the exception So again, the Premiership is not the place for 2 point newcomers in the No6 position

Yes, CL in Oz at the moment and recently been announced that 4th grandchild due in May.

Would probably be a guest or r/r

As long as he's 100% healthy then he's the signing of the season before a wheel has been turned imo. Can see Riss upping his GSA by a minimum of 1.5 in 2026.

Can fully understand why Stewart Dickson hasn't kept Max Fricke at Leicester as I don't get the logic behind the rumoured KL side at all. That tail won't stand a chance of holding up at PREM level imo, Don't get me wrong, Scott and Rushen are good riders for the future but it's way too soon to be throwing them together as a 6 & 7 partnership at PREM level. One of them as a Rising Star with an experienced No.6 who can take the pressure off is understandable but both of them as a partnership is baffling considering both riders lack experience. You've also got Ben Cook who wasn't committed at all this year, So why would next year be any different especially when Leszno are now in the Polish Top League.

Plymouth... on a Saturday night? 🤔

Pretty sure he won the under 21 golden helmet in Czech rep this year also

what a difference a year makes they all wanted him out but 12 months later quite a few wanted him back id have liked jye to have another year at workington

of course it doesnt make sense, why would he have a higher average in the top league, if anything it should be lower? Last season Kings Lynn built a strength in depth team and people moaned and this season it might be top heavy and people are still complaining about it.

Oxford team look good but still question marks over Riss and Rowe tailed off a bit at the end of last season so no guarantee he will improve much. Killeen and Mcdiarmid should improve a bit but they all have to cover for the weak reserves.

Poole are stronger than Glasgow by a long mile, lot of question marks over the Glasgow team for me.

Not totally convinced with Hausl but Pedersen could easily put two points on his average in my opinion.

Never get any meat on the bones to debates on here, so I’ll have a go and people can add their ideas (or not). Norick Will MPT Jake Worrall Jack Smith Billy Budd V Troy Batchelor Freddy Hodder Jake Allen Jody Scott Paco Sam Woods Ben Morley It’s just not doing it for me and at £20 a pop I can’t see us bothering to attend very often

I wouldn't be against having Cook back for another go but there's been a common theme over the past few years with Cookie. If he wasnt a local lad, id stay far far away, but he is, and I have a soft spot for him.

Complin played a huge role for us against Oxford and Poole in late 2023 when we secured the title, but what happened in early 2024 was a disgrace. I still remember being at Shielfield Park in the opening away fixture, wondering why heat two was going ahead with only three riders. Absolutely nothing on the club’s social media. If he serves his ban and pays his fine, everyone deserves a second chance.