Bagpuss

For me Andersen's move on the third bend was not fair, but there you go, its all about opinion isn't it! Its a pity he has to do that now and again because he is a damn good rider and I would have him in my team every time. I think people are being a bit unfair on Scott, he was quite obviously riled (as I would have been) and it was all a bit of a storm in a tea cup to be honest Choosing their line is the right of a rider in front I agree, but there has to be a limit and for me that is reached when that rider chops straight across an opponent to stop them in their tracks. If Nicholls had not shut off so promptly a nasty accident could have ensued Isn't it time you were going to work MrMungo

Job done, although GB's gating tonight was atrocious and we are fortunate that it took Poland so long to get 'dialled in'. Unfortunately due to practice and scorching weather the track was poor tonight (I'm not a fan of blue groove racing) although there was some decent stuff early on. Hopefully the track will be grippier on Saturday to give us more of a chance, however if it is not I would consider replacing Stead with Louis who would have loved it out there tonight

Yep, they have both overstepped the mark regularly too

I like Hans Andersen but he does himself no favours with moves like those he pulled on Nicholls tonight. Neither do I mind hard racing but riding straight across someone goes beyond 'shutting the door'. And then to cap it all off he has the temerity to moan when Scotty rides him to the fence

Just wondering if anyone was planning to go to the Final in Italy as I need some information on travel / accomodation? Thanks in advance

Spot on.

Unlucky Troy, but for falling whilst in front in heat 8 he would have scored 10 and qualified comfortably. Feel for the Brits too, dreadful luck on a big weekend for them

1. Yes indeed he did! I'm not saying King should have been selected anyway 2. It didn't ever say that 5th and 6th would qualify as far as I am aware but the ONLY fair way to do it after Screen and Nicholls declined is surely to select the next two in the scorechart. Was it ever said that qualification may be left to one person's discretion? 3. I can't take this point seriously due to your obvious dislike of Lanham or indeed anything Arena Essex. True his away form doesn't pull up too many trees but he still finished ahead of the chosen two in the British Final! No doubt if Lanham was a Rye rider and EK wasn't you would still hold the same opinion 4. I have no chip on my shoulder, just observing (as have many others) that Kennett appears to be the favourite. Good luck to him but I personally don't think its fair. The reason I took the U21 final into account for Cardiff reserve selection is that the authorities obviously did when selecting Ben Wilson! If Bridger and Kennett were chosen as the two highest averaging young Englishmen then fair enough, I would have had absolutely no arguments. Good luck to the chosen two in the qualifiers but I would imagine Lanham and Smith feel very miffed. Middlo obviously does rate EK very highly, so do I, but so too do I Danny King and James Wright and Steve B. I have nothing to 'get over' in that respect. Happiness and joy to you old boy

I would like to point out the same before I get accused of bias against Rye

1. Maybe the only reason Ed Kennett qualified was that the Semi was on his own track (not arguing about the venue as Rye do more than anyone to produce British talent and therefore deserve to hold such a meeting) 2. If there was an agenda as to who would go through anyway then why label the British Final as a 'qualifier' as such? I hope those interested who finished above the riders chosen (ie Lanham et al) kick up a fuss 3. Lanham must be able to ride Belle Vue as well as a Arena to have finished where he did you berk 4. While King has no relevance to this debate the decision to make EK (or indeed Bridger as originally intended) Cardiff reserve ahead of him stunk to high heaven consdering Danny finished ahead of them both in the U21 Final. I'm all for helping British youngsters more but I wish it was spread out evenly and they were all treated the same