Bagpuss

Very much so

Agree with both, I'm sure it would be possible to 'seed' riders in each squad based on current averages in the three major leagues, SWC records etc to ensure that the weakest rider is always at reserve. Also riders who go into a meeting with an injury or illness and have to pull out can't be replaced, just those who are signed off by the doc after a crash in the meeting itself. Personally I'd bring in a 'minimum rides' rule too, each rider has to have three rides and can be replaced by a reserve once and a TS once if needs be. I'd make the TS valid once 10 behind rather than 6 and abolish the Joker to stop riders trying to finish last. They are pretty minor tweaks though, the 25 heat format with one from each side is the best IMO and the racing is always top notch.

Great quote

Last night was much, much better than Monday because the teams were much more balanced, you could tell at Lynn how most races were going to finish beforehand unfortunately. Last night's line up at the NA would be a super meeting. Anyway, I agree with HW that the current format is a good one, but for me the Joker needs scrapping or tweaking. As others have said seeing riders slowing deliberately is less than ideal. I'd personally scrap all jokers and tactical subs and have a reserve instead, who can take one ride of each team member if required. And as good as the meeting was last night lets see the final shared round a bit more.......I believe Sweden have it next year but it should go to Denmark, the UK and anywhere else that wants it before Poland get it again.

Tremendous race to finish. Good to see Kenny top scoring for the Danes who were rather disappointing to be fair. Lindgren and Jonasson very impressive for the Swedes; Crump, Holder and Batch for the Aussies. Well done to Poland but hope somebody else wins it next year, becoming a tad boring!

Indeed some great action but the Joker has to go IMO.

Have been very impressed with Jonasson tonight, not so much with Darcy.

Why 'choke'? Most races have four class riders in them, someone has to come last. Another bus sized gap left for the Pole there, this time by Batchelor. Get your back wheel to that fence and block 'em!!!

Good, hard ride from Freddie there, has looked really good tonight....not always been the case on the World stage.

How much room did Puk want to leave Pepe round the outside? Think this is all over now, yawn.

They can't take his rides until Aus are six behind and that doesn't look likely at the moment. Fail!

This meeting is simmering nicely now

Gollob is a stroppy berk, he should keep his gob shut and focus on the job in hand!

Try post number one EDIT just realised that you may have meant 'streams'

Anyone but Polska!

I think Bomber has shown on Monday and tonight that he can be competitive at the top level when there's a bit of dirt down.

Did his job, beat the swede.

Ben Barker has impressed me muchly. Hopefully he can kick on after tonight and take his career to the next level.

Below Rico & Nicholls I think the rest are all much of a muchness. At least Bridger has age on his side I guess. Has been awful tonight so far though. I think the Batchelor v Woffinden debate can be put to bed already too.

Absolutely, even better. And go back even further than that, get them used to bikes and racing with other riders when they are old enough to get on a machine. Requires a whole infrastructure which unfortunately the British authorities won't create.

We'll agree to disagree. And see what incidents the final brings

But still not good enough! Time to accept that we won't get anywhere with the current generation and pour all of our resources into the next lot like Auty, Cook, Howarth, Garrity, Worralls etc

Thats where first bend bunching comes in to play. Povhazny was locking up to make sure he didn't run out of track in order to get down the straight. Not saying he was dirty but I think he pushed AJ just a bit too far.

For me the position of the rider on the inside at the end of his corner ie just before he gets his wheels in line usually speaks volumes. Correct decision IMO. Brilliant from Barker

Not saying we wouldn't still be last but it seems a bit daft the way the gates are arranged throughout the card.