bluebee

Personally, I find this very sad. A talented speedway rider clearly going off the rails. Perhaps he could get a few tips from Michael Lee! However, what galls me the most is the deafening silence from certain Poole fans. A few years ago the promising Reading rider Danny Bird was slated in the most lurid terms for failing a drugs test by at least one well known Pirates supporter. The moral outrage was almost incandescent from this quarter. Now one of their own has fallen from grace with his own team captain has cravenly offered lame excuses there is nothing but silence. A young man going off the rails is one thing (and I hope he learns his lesson) but hypocrisy from armchair moralists is another. I know which one I despise the most.

Well done Poole Pirates. Just shown what a mockery the team building rules in this country are. Let's hope the AGM gets tasty again.

Before we all throw ourselves off the nearest motorway bridge in despair, I think we're forgetting a certain young Mr Barker who took his chances on the world stage with some eagerness and with promising results. OK he may not be a Darcy Ward or Emil Sayfudinov but it was a nice debut. It must have boosted his confidence no end. Give the young man a few more opportunities to get up to the next level and with a bit of backing and he might make it to the GP level one day. He will though need to keep his temper under control and try to emulate Chris Harris. Eddie was always a doubt in my mind on the big Polish track and I although I would never fault his effort I would consider him good for Elite but not at the World level. I'd be delighted if he proved me wrong. As for Lewis Bridger - without an improvement in attitude he'll be in the Premier in a few seasons. Taking cheap shots at other riders, bad mouthing the public and ridiculous posturing will win nothing and only make him more enemies. I wouldn't be surprised if Middlo has deleted his number from his mobile. He's got some fences to mend!

Best to ask him. Now he knows what the GP's entail he needs to take stock and get a bit of advice from soemone like Chris Harris who has experienced the ups and downs. If he doesn't get a slot I hope that he doesn't think of it as a failure. I may be thought mad (not for the first time!) but I'd like to see Lee Richardson given another nomination - if there is to be one for a second Brit. He did us proud in the World Team Cup and has definitely improved.

A bit of luck is needed by any rider in this sport. I agree Bomber was lucky to get the nomination but he has proved the doubters wrong this season. I doubted myself that he was going to make a mark on the GP stage - the slick tracks were always going to work against him. However, there is not doubt that Bomber deserved another chance on one aspect of his riding - entertainment. Chris Harris on form and on a decent track is a sight to behold - on his own worth the entrance money! He epitomises everything that's good about the sport when he's in with a chance , as he proved in the playoffs. Opposition fans look forward to seeing him when the Bees come to their stadia. This has been a fantastic season for him. Fingers crossed that he makes top three next year. And from Bees perspective - back to back titles as captain.

Let's not forget that Chris Harris could not have been fully fit tonight. What he has achieved this season has been immense, The final was won through his extraordinary example. He has lifted himself into the top echelon of riders in the world. Congratulations to Bomeber. Thanks for eveything and let's hope there's another British rider joining you in the top eight soon.

Great effort from all of the GB team. They were so close and I hope that this is seen as a positive sign that British riders can mix it on the big stage. This should be seen as a step forward - though there will always be the knockers, I suppose. And a big pat on the back for Rob Lyon

I sympathise but there are those on here would call it just being passionate (see the Apologies thread). Having a few beers at the GP is part of the weekend but getting blind drunk and spoiling it for others is another matter. I go to the GP to see speedway. If I want to have a night in the company of selfish inebriated boors who couldn;t care a toss about the people around them then I don't have to travel all the way to Cardiff to get it. The atmosphere has changed. In the past it was noisy, a bit boisterous but always good natured. I hope it returns to that.

I go to a sporting event to watch the sport not some bloke's back. Or should I jump about regardless of others. Being passionate is one thing, being an inconsiderate prat is another. I wouldn't waste electricity on Eastenders by the way - I suppose you're a big fan then!

And some of the Poles near me were a pain in the a*** - blocking the view of people behind them by standing mid race, so p*****d some could hardly move, waving flags in people's faces before the end of the race. If they had been British we would have been decrying the atate of the nation. The British bloke next to me was really friendly, the Poles in front of me were very nice and waved their flags at the end of the races. There are people of every nationality who can't hold their drink or who take it too far. Drink is a great loosener, helps the occasion, but getting paralytic at a sporting event you've come to watch - why?

Really enjoyed this GP and a BIG thankyou to all riders who made it so entertaining. Some very tense, close riding that was a credit to all. It was difficult to call from before the semis and it seemed to swing this way and that as far as riders reaching form: Bjerre, Crump, Gollob, Jonsson were all looking to make it but well done Hampel. Hope noone is going to be miserly praising Harris who looked brave and determined all meeting. A fully deserved third and good to see him gating well. Whether he can carry this thorugh to subsequent GPs we will see but tonight should give him confidence. SKY coverage was also very fine. Millard shouts - so what! There was plenty to shout about. This is a really interesting season. It's a shame Satnav's not in it as he would liven it up even more. Reackon this could be Gollob's year. The new boys could fade and he will pick up points everwhere. And Harris to make the top eight, I hope, and Wuffy to get better and learn. There area lot of riders in this season's GP who could fancy themselves for a good night and a podium place. Let's hope it continues

Totally agree - but I sill think he would be worth an outside punt! Either the bumps on the head (metaphorical) will knock some speedway sense into him or he'll miss out again. I remember Jason Crump making bad decisions and then he sorted himself out and has now won the chamionship three times. Progress isn't always at a constant predictable rate and a late developer might come through this season. Wouldn't bet against Nicki or Jason but Emil is just too young. I don't think he can possibly have learnt enough from that first season. He looked outstsanding at times but pretty ordinary at others. In fact he looked exactly what he is - a great, very young talent whose time will come in a couple of years.

How fit is Andreas Jonsson? I'm going through the box set og GP 2009 and he was certainly injured badly last year. He showed he has the talent and has been at the top for a while and if he's fit I wouldn't bet against him doing well. He would be one of my outside bets. If Crump is not fit then I reckon the old blokes might be good for one last try: Gollob, Hancock and not so old Pedesen. Sayfudinov might suffer from second season blues - everybody knows you and is ready for you and they'll not be giving you a fraction of an inch after a first season that saw him make as many enemies as friends. Still, he is definitely a great talent but being World Champion takes just a bit more than that. The head has to be right; you have to cope with bad meetings and still score points; you need to win the critical races and not buckle under pressure; you need to make your own luck. That's quite a lot for a young bloke. I'd back him for 2011.

And this means: you are not interested in my opinion or I am not interested in yours? You can defend Nicholls as much as you like but he has been one sad character this season. Add him to the mix and see Team spirit plummet to what it was like last year. There's one very pertinet point made earlier though. Tuners, set up, engineering nous, whatever you call it. Have we got the best? No good having good riders on mopeds

An in form Nicholls was crap last year! Just get over it. Scott Nicholls just ain't interested!!!!

I have seen Scott Nicholls a number of times this season and he's been nowhere near as good as he was last year and what did he do then? Let's give credit where it is due: Lyons's strategy wasn't that far from being a big success. He's lfted expectations and given some of the younger riders useful experience. It's what happens next that is important.

We won't see the benefit of Lyons strategy immediately, particularly with the younger riders, but at least it's a forward looking plan. Anyway it was a million times better than the abysmal showing of last year with Scott in a team that had no clue, no spirit and no chance. I have no axe to grind as far as Scott Nicholls is concerned. He has been a great captain for the team I support but at international level he comes with some baggage and is definitely not the future (a bit like a Pommy Ryan Sullivan it appears). Richardson was a breath of fresh air. Surely another chance at GP level sooner rather than later. Harris was all Land of Hope and Glory but lacking the class of a real top flight GP star. Woffinden was the one who seemed to make the most of his chance. Hope the youngsters get another chance. If it is to be a worthwhile strategy then it can't be just a one off. Surely the BSPA can arrange an international or two? Perhaps on a Sundat when the GPs are on as most of the British riders aren't involved.

Jenkie I pressed the play links and just get a page of waht looks like code. Is this sopcast stream. Ihave that installed. Cheers

So as a Coventry fan I should not support GB because Richardson, Stead and Kennett don't ride for them. I should be pretty pissed off with the England football team as a Coventry FC fan. It's about your COUNTRY!!!!!!!

Big follower of the Swedish and Russian leagues are you? Can't stand guys who are proud to race for their country and put in an excellent effort? This is a competition between countries. I like to support my own not someone elses!

Well done to all! An excellent captain's job from Nicholls and Harris consolidates what is proving to be an exceptional season. Great support from the Stead, Kennett and Richardson. Maybe not the toughest of opposition and home advantage but you still have to do the job when the wind is in your favour. Remember the doom and gloom about British riders. We might not have a World champion yet but it might not be as bad as we thought.

All those doubters - Steve Shovlar predicting a poor first GP season (sorry, Steve, just happen to remember your words and I'm sure you had a great Cradiff), me from the early dark days at Cov, and many many others - thank Chris Harris for making us eat our words! Also a big thankyou to Oates, Pratt and Sandhu at Coventry who saw more in this little guy than we ever did and continued to back him. A big little fella from Cornwall who in Wimbledon week showed that Brits can be winners. Well done, Chris Harris, hope this is the first of many GP wins. So these are the dark days of British speedway. Bomber Harris is shining a light for us all.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has Rickardssons exit from the speedway had any effect? Feel sorry for Lindback. He has the talent. He's shown that. A year away from the GPs racing in the Elite would not be a bad way to start a comeback. Rather than knock the guy it would be better to welcome him back to where he had success. Just don't p**** us about next time!