Bagpuss

There wouldn't be enough riders for one big league without riders who are no where near ready being chucked in the deep end to make the numbers up and even then they may not be enough.

Nice.

1985 World Final?

Indeed but on this occasion I don’t think the authorities are entirely to blame, COVID and Polish muscle flexing has changed the landscape of available riders significantly. I’m in favour of the future star scheme as I believe we have the most promising crop of U21’s for several years and would rather they ride at reserve than foreign fillers. That said I can’t see me paying the best part of twenty quid to watch what will be on offer too often. Admission should really be reduced but can understand why that is highly unlikely to happen.

You should contribute far more on the COVID thread in general discussions

Because they are a group of chocolate kettles, motorbike ashtrays and inflatable dartboards. What skidder says is quite right but you are too, they could have explained the situation fully and just said that the fixtures will be out soon and in plenty of time for a May start.

Not sure in their logistical situation but there must be a way of solving these issues if they are serious about their speedway careers. Yes it would mean guests for the Leicester NL team but if two of their young riders are racing in meetings which are going to accelerate their development I think they would see the bigger picture. NL gabs will no doubt jump up and down at that suggestion but we need to be testing our best young riders as often as possible both here and abroad.

There would be no clashes between PL and CL due to race days so they would have to ride for their NL team as and when fixtures allowed. I feel they are going to learn more and progress quicker in the top two leagues.

They weren’t but the ‘future star’ scheme may change that?

Is he really a future star though? Been knocking around for years without progressing an awful lot. The rides being suggested are Kemp, Flint, Palin, the Thompson twins, Brennan and Rowe. These are teenagers who could progress nicely with the right development path. Some of them have Polish contracts already.

Huge blow that.

Sounds like the rising stars might have to be U21.

Just Lynn and not Redcar.

Blame Poland for that one.

Triple world champion? Let’s hope so.

So six ‘future stars’ for the top league......Kemp, Rowe, Flint, Palin, Brennan, Bickley?

Countered by your bias against them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no great fan of Mr Godfrey or his club but you really should rein it in a little. There are very few better tracks than Scunny on a good day although as you say any international fixture should automatically be at the NSS as it’s the best we have by some distance.

I would imagine there will be spots for riders like Bridger and youngsters alongside him, if anything this whole situation is going to see riders like Hartel and other modestly talented European riders not riding over here which isn’t a bad thing IMO. I don’t think we should be discouraging or turning away any British riders who are good enough and want to ride in our leagues.

Presumably you seeing as you opened the thread and commented on it

So assuming Bridger signs Lynn will presumably line up like this Cook Riss Jorgensen Kerr Proctor Bridger While the priority should be to get the league up and running again I wonder if this is an indication of team strengths this season?

Well for a start if he signs for Lynn he will effectively be replacing a German rider which cuts out air fares and puts a British rider in work. It’s not without risk and he could be a revelation or a disaster but on a sub four point average I’d have thought it’s worth a shot.

Give over!

I think we are going to get more and more of this in light of COVID and Poland.....clubs are going to prefer UK based riders who will prioritise our domestic racing and not spend money flying European riders in and out.

If this has legs I’ve got mixed feelings, obviously he hasn’t ridden for a long time and throughout his career he flattered to deceive.....on the flip side he would presumably be on a low average and will be four years more mature than when he last ride. In addition he is one of the most naturally talented motorcyclists I’ve seen ride a speedway bike, remember seeing him for the first time at Lynn in the British U21 final when he was sixteen and being hugely impressed with his style and track craft. I guess he will also be much cheaper than Hartel and fully committed to this country rather than riding elsewhere too. We will see.

He’s dynamite at the NSS so he must be on Belle Vue’s radar.