stevebrum

Piotr is more than keen on a UK return. Let's hope he is back later in the season. At Wolves of course. I've been saying this since November when CVS confirmed it.

You heard wrong. Not picking Freddie over Jacob was purely financial. With no number one limit both would have been back. Piotr and CVS were gutted about the reassessed rule that affected him. Otherwise he would have been in the team too. Hopefully come spring he will be back on his 7.32 average.

Piotr back with his parent club mid season. He has already stated he wants to come back. Average too high unless it's another fiddle like Clegg.

I'd agree with that. The strength of the league isn't about the averages at all. It's about the strength of the top end riders. Iversen and Vaculik in place of Lindgren and Bjerre is like for like. Leicester have swapped a promising Pole from 2017 with a different one in 2018. Like for like. The 1 over 8 rule has scuppered any chance of making the league stronger in 2018. You could argue that Woryna and Drodz make the top flight stronger but as yet are totally unproven over here. At best same as last year which I didn't expect to be saying.

Yes I'm sure the track might throw up some issues for several of the Poole boys, none more so than Holder of course.

At Birmingham and amateur level yes I am. So probably more applicable to lower level racing that Castrol R is used. I certainly only use it in mine. That's a fair point. I get my oil from track spares person and it's always stocked with Castrol R.

Agree with that too, plus also both Poole Poles have had a year's experience on British tracks so are probably aware that preparation standards aren't as high as in the homeland.

Drodz is the only risk. The other 2 have improved massively in Poland since they were here in 2016.

I'm not sure if all the riders still use it as there maybe other choices but I must add that I can't say I have noticed any reduction in smell as it's always the first thing that hits me every time.

They do.

Most do yes. I can't say I've ever not stopped getting a speedway smell fix.

Completely subjective. Neither rode as a number one in 2017 and Thorssell finished with a higher average as both 2nd in averages. The only plus in Cook's case is he rode mostly in a traditional heat leader role.

What poor away form?. His average was 7.55. Speedway star has him listed as 6th best away average, ahead of Andersen, bjerre, Harris, Schlein, Holder, Masters, Fricke, Kurtz, Batchelor, Nicholls, Lambert, King. This supposed poor away form is a myth.

I agree he SHOULD be, but dropped to 2nd to Troy last year and starts 4th in line this! He certainly hasn't been riding anything like a number one over the past 12 months. So time will tell eh?

I agree. I'd go as far as saying equally as strong. No doubt Poole fans would disagree. Bewley at reserve is going to kick on big time this year and I reckon will top averaged starting reserve by end of season. Yes, you heard it here first.

Besides Somerset and Kings Lynn no other team has a recognised number one.

Of course you wouldn't! Think we look strong enough for top 4. Plus we are the masters of not topping the league and winning the play offs.

Apologies. Having checked I see that he was still assessed for Poole. Thought he rode more meetings for the Pirates. Well pointed out.

Agreed. But never available for anyone else to sign all close season.

I don't remember Kings Lynn signing him from Poole. Where was that confirmed?

In truth they weren't 'there for all teams to sign' tho. Woryna was made an asset at the tail end of last season and Mateusz is already a Poole asset. The theory that any team could have signed them is cancelled out by the reality of that likely to happen.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

What, as the official theme song?

If Fricke signs as expected then a solid top end with a dynamite in Bewley in reserve. Have to start as one of the better teams and favourites for the season.

And would be reserve by April again.