stevebrum

A medal is a medal, and you can only beat what is in front of you. I agree that the vision should be the future and we need to be pushing the likes of Cook/Worrall NOW however in the unlikely event we do win on Thursday then why shouldnt we go for a rostrum place? We know we aren't going to win now or in the near future but at least Bridger and Barker are still trying to improve.

By comparison Cook was 400% better and battled hard in a couple of heats. The lad deserves some credit as many expected him to be totally out of his depth ......... like Kennett, which he wasn't. :rofl: The Danes would beat us on any track in the UK.

Sweden certainly do double up/down. I think its a little unfair making a generalisation about the likes of Cook/Worrall/Ellis/Howarth as being `comfortable`. All 4 are still making strides in the sport and have improved since this time last season. Whilst i can see why some of the Brits need to double up/down to make a living the ambition to succeed should be to reach EL level (like Cook and Worrall now) and then get teams spots in Poland/Sweden etc. Easier said than done i`m sure. It is a pity we cant work with , say, the Danish federation and give each others up and coming riders a chance for team spots . Obviously we would need their federation more than someone like the Danes need ours. I do wish some of the youngsters showed more ambition, but i have to wonder whether the BSPA assist in pushing our future to the next level.

Best chance ever to go through, really?? Even if we had Nicholls and say King or Barker there was no way we would have beat the Danes. Our strongest was never going to beat the Danes. There are no reserves anymore.

Now confirmed as Bridger. Lakesidelive ‏@Lakesidelive2h Now confirmed: Lewis Bridger has been called up by Team GB to ride in Thursday’s race off, congratulations @LewisLBR #hammerspride

Thank god. If history has taught us anything is that he is left wanting in the race off.

And will continue that way unless we start blooding the up and coming NOW. Kennett has shown he is way out of his depth when given the chance, harsh but true. King ---- is he really THAT much better? I like Danny but does he have powerful engines for Prague? Bridger ..... Really has looked much better this season but remains inconsistent. He is younger and worth a shot IMO. Barker ..... He will give it his all but does he have the power when it matters? For me its gotta be Cook/Worrall and then any of the next ilk of emerging riders. I would rather someone like Adam Ellis be given a space than Nicholls or Kennett who are not up to the task anymore. Agreed they could be. Expect they will pip the Americans but either way will be major spoilers.

If you mean Nicholls................... he has proved time and time again he is left wanting in the race offs. NO he isn't the answer.

Cook deserves the experience, Danny King i would say. Id prefer to let Richie Worrall have the experience tho. Agreed. MJJ will surely be dropped and bring in Kildermand who is much better. Why didnt the babbler ask the question we all want to know `so Scott, why are you listening to me talking like i dont know anything about this sport when you should be helping your country?`

Agree with TheReturn. What is different? I agree that its not something i understand either as i`m behind GB 100%. However when we/if we go out i tend to lean towards Sweden - only because of Freddie/PK.

Of course injuries are, the Russian thing i agree is separate but needs addressing quickly. I agree with others that had Russia as one of the favourites because as a top 3 they are as good as any on offer. Thursday however will lack any real drama (unless the racing is top notch) because non of the teams progressing has any chance of winning - unlike in other years. The winners of the race off will be battling for 3rd IMO.

Aaaah, i didn't get to see the original post as its on my ignore list.

Actually when you look at just who will likely be in the race off they probably stand out as favourites! Just goes to show that this prestigious event is fast becoming a bit of a joke. The race off could be interesting for all the wrong reasons, which of the under strength teams will win on the day. You never know , GB just might start out as favourites on Thursday!

Got to agree. Until we bring on the next generation we will only be good enough to be Final fodder if we get there at all. Kennett i thought deserved his place initially after a solid start to the season and attempting to get a place in Poland. However he has been out of form and therefore is a huge risk. Worrall really should have been given the nod because we aren't going to beat the Danes unless they have a mare of a meeting. What a comedown from a doctor in Germany.

Hasn't something been missed here? Sullivan has retired! Otherwise Rickardsson would be riding for Sweden and Ermolenko for the Yanks. Plus i notice the thread was started by the forums biggest attention seeker, 2 pages of attention already.

The change is purely for sales, no other country outside Poland, Sweden, Denmark are likely to win (Australia is exempt unless it is hosted out of season which to me has great merit) and besides the UK would be financial suicide for any country hosting. Great for other nations to have a chance to host but have no chance of making the final so seeding to the final is the only option. Whether that is right or wrong is a different matter.

Decent meeting with some decent races, Seemed to run through much better with the time lag difference. Fair play to the Latvians, think they made everyone sit up and take notice. However if Russia had been at `full` strength then Latvia would probably have come last. They have some good uns coming thru, hope we get to see Bogdanovs in the EL this year (at wolves would be nice please!) Unfortunately the Aussies are just too weak to make it past Thursday. Ward gave it his all but went missing when the double points were on. Poland, as professional as you like. Such a shame that Russia have got themselves into a great position in the World ranking and now will have to go back to qualifying again! There federation should hang its head in shame for not looking after their top boys. And we think the BSPA is bad!

Thats what my planner tells me too.

I am looking forward to my first trip to Somerset, nice to know the weather is on my side!

Problem is most people remember the bad ones, there was just too many of them.

If he could start the season as back up heat leader he would probably be ok for club and GP. He has proved that anyway.

Waiting for the comments `probably Oz now, Still doesn't deserve to be in it anyway, needs to keep it going to be proved right, still don't like him or he still isn't British`. I am sure there are more but i had lost the will to live with most of them. Delighted the boy is sticking to those who didn't believe or thought he doesn't deserve his place.

:rofl: Well said. Snoresville. Must agree. That was a superb meeting with some out of the box heats. Semi 2 was an awesome heat. Of course i am sure tho it is still to early to say that Tai has had a good start, considering he shouldn't have been in in the first place.

It appears clear that Ward has a problem when alcohol is involved, otherwise Ford wouldn't have said what he did. I am as equally outraged that Holder and Batchelor were also involved. However Ward appears to be the one with the alcohol problem, hence the reason why some are pointing it out.