salty

But you are wrong. Phillpsr posts number 2112, Sidney responds in post 2113 by asking him a question. He didn't ask Blazeaway a question - as you allege. Wrong again Starry.

Just to clarify these were consecutive posts, so very clear that Sidney was asking the question of Phillipsr. Starry gets wrong end of stick as usual.

This week's issue and the Larry Ross one a couple of weeks ago have both been excellent reads. Jimmy Mac was one of my favourite "other" riders when I grew up following the Heathens and we didn't miss "our Bernie" quite so much if Jimmy was guesting. Can remember feeling quite upset when he committed the ultimate sin of signing for the dreaded Wolves.

Didn't Chris Manchester have a bad injury and lose his nerve a wee bit? Maube someone else can confirm. As for Mike Bast, we 'll never know how good he would have been in Europe. Guess he was lucky that he rode in the States when there was enough money to make a comfortable living.

Sorry I got these in the wrong order, I'm replying to quote 3 and using 1,2 and 4 to show that you are accusing people of "hanging him out to dry" and "pulling the lad to pieces" and that it is a "Poole thing". So I am right.

I have read your posts. The issue I have is that you are banging on about people wanting to "hang Darcy out to dry" (ironic turn of phrase) and there being an anti-poole agenda. As usual you're wrong.

So as usual when challenged you fold. All anyone has asked for is the case to be dealt with fairly and a ban in line with the disciplinary process. It really isn't a Poole thing, it may well be a Darcy Ward thing, but that is something quite different.

Would love you to point us in the direction of all those posters asking for him to be "hanged". All I've read is people expecting an appropriate punishment. Two years is the maximum, haven't seen many asking for that let alone anything more. Only person making it a Poole thing is you.

Given his historic links to both clubs, what about starting the season with a Brummies v Heathens clash for the Dan McCormick Trophy?

Brilliant news for both sets of supporters. Lets hope 2015 is a big success for both teams.

Can't argue with that.

Sad to hear this news. RIP Dan

If the magazine reflected the way the sport was run you would be purchasing an old copy of the Star with a photocopied insert. The mag would be damp from being left out in the rain and have plenty of "guest" columnists. It would cost fifteen quid for about fifteen minutes reading.

No chance of a "Sandhu" in my opinion. The ownership of their dog tracks at Monmore and Crayford over the years is simply about having control over two of the tracks that are mainstays of the BAGS service. Can't see that changing in the future as they still need that product for the betting shops. The two tracks are only a very small part of their business and their current issues are more to do with the increasing pressures on the viability of many of their shops as they struggle with the change in betting patterns and the increased tax on the FOBT's which was levied this year.

Sad to see him retire. Glad that he can make the decision himself. As Arson says he won a fair few medals.

DaveAllen81. Thank you for putting statistical analysis on top of the bones of what we all knew. Just shows what a shocking state the sport is in.

I'm afraid I don't know the definitive answer, trawling through the various wiki pages for each year of the GP would give you the answer I guess.I suspect the vast majority of 9th placed riders get a pick for the next season. It always irked me that a rider like Rune Holta had to get into the top 8 because he was always unlikely to get a nomination.

I thought that was just a reaction to the number of riders missing through injury, suspensions etc? Didn't realise at that point it was a permanent change. Why did Pawlicki, Covatti, THJ draw lots after Lonigo? No need for a finishing order - unless Harris and Doyle were to turn down their places.

Is it cynical to suggest that the rule change recently announced regarding replacement riders has been done with Ward in mind? Any rider who pulls out or is injured throughout the season can now be replaced by anyone of BSI's choosing (possibly Ward dependent on FIM ruling)rather than the next rider off the GP challenge rank (Shamek).

Once Lindgren put himself out of the running THJ was always going to get the slot as the second Swede. Slightly surprised MJJ got the nod instead of Kildemand, I thought the latters performances in reaching 2 Finals out of 2, winning the World Team Cup and in the European meetings would have been enough.

Personally, I think it is unfair on the other riders to have to wait until the outcome of the Darcy Ward case. The sooner riders know if they are in the sooner they can start preparing for next season. So I think they should announce in the next week like they usually do. In which case I think they will plump for Puk, THJ, Batch and Killer. Puk is a cert. THJ as the second Swede over Lindgren who really has had enough picks. Batch was close to top 8 and that was with a late call-up to the series. Killer did more in 2014 than MJJ. Pity that we can't have Emil though..

They did have the "Red Flag" column for a time which was supposedly hard(er) hitting editorial comment. Winter editions are much the best for me, I really enjoyed their British World Champions series last year.

Not suspended, but not allowed to bowl. Not a problem for Williamson who is worth his place as a batsman. I think the the West Indies spinner Shane Shillingford was allowed to play, but forbidden from bowling his doosra. Saeed Ajmal is currently suspended until he can remodel his action.

Surely the first place to appeal any action (or lack of) once you are through the FIM process is the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Given what Ward himself said in his interview in Latvia (bad news, drinks with meal, lack of re-hydration) I suspect he would struggle to make a worthwhile case.

It's a reflection on MJJ's last two GP appearances, from which he has only garnered 11 points in total. Kildemand has two GP finals in two attempts this year plus a WTC gold medal. A good performance from MJJ in Torun and the pendulem might swing again....