ImpartialOne

In real terms I don't think the gap is too big, I just think GB has a shortage of riders to choose from. Harris, Woffy and Kennett are capable of matching the Swedes and Aussies; If Barker and Bridger pick up points, who knows? How must the Americans feel? World Champions 1982, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1998 and now left with one world class rider and can't even get past the preliminary rounds. It's not as bad as you think folks. Stick with em.

Well said Philip and also Authorised. As I said it's not for anyone on here to judge Nicholls in these circumstances.

Nicholls has made it quite clear well before this event that he would more than likely miss Thursday and Saturday due to personal family reasons which we have no right to judge him on. Richardson is sorely missed and Neil should try to persuade him to race, but I doubt Lee will want to which is a shame.

Would you say in theory, seeing him every week, that Screeny would be as good as Bridger? I personally think so, although in reality I'm not sure he'd be that keen now.

He will if he has any sense. Whatever Barker scores will be double what the other three would get.

Just one more thing.. All this talk of Tai finishing behind Topinka to force a run-off between Czecho and Russia; wouldn't Russia have gone through without a run-off as they had 2 race wins to Czecho's 0?

Unfortunately he's the only option. I still think Screeny could do as well, if not better than Bridger but Bridger needs the experience.

I don't think we can read too much into that. The Poles were always stronger whether they did 2 laps or 70. Barker did a good job and Nicholls, well, I'm afraid he's no longer up to it. He could have ridden round in circles all through the night, it wouldn't have made much difference.

I'd put Barker in over Nicholls without hesitation. Thursday should be: Harris Woffinden Kennett Barker Bridger (reluctantly) I'd even consider putting Screen in to be honest.

That's the third time you've said that in the last 20 minutes.

that was definitely not the same rider tonight that has been struggling all over Europe this year.

Come again?

I don't honestly remember what he did last year to throw the towel in..

The attitude of losers is to fear an opposing team so much that they try and lose a race to help another team knock them out. The attitude of winners is not to fear anyone.

Did I just hear two motorbikes go past?

No, sorry but what's wrong with racing to win the heat? There was outcry when Hans Andersen stopped Nicholls at Poole (2004?) to let the Swedes win the final. And rightly so. There should be no team riding in World Cup racing full stop.

I fully support his reasons though for not riding. I remember in the late 90s Loram and (I think) Louis boycotted the England team because they weren't happy with certain issues. I don't recall any complaints about their passion or morals.

I can just imagine the uproar if he team rode with Czechs and rightly so. Some people are never satisfied.

The all time top SWC points scorer for GB? no he wouldn't have got that many. He'd have got at least 10 tonight.

Can't agree with that. The score would have been much closer tonight had Nicholls and Woffinden been able to stay in contact with their motorcycles (copyright Kelvin Tatum). Because there are only two competitive sides, every time you get an exclusion you are almost guaranteed to go a further 3 points behind, where as with 4 equal sides you may only lose 1 or 2. The poles have taken a fair few defeats off the GB boys tonight and I definitely can see them living with the Swedes and Aussies on Thursday.

Tracey would be proud.

Elliot's updates are amazing!

Did you write that in Welsh and run it through google translate?

Well they've picked it up in the last two races and are now only 9 behind the Poles. Some people are just too quick to stick the knife in, yet at the beginning they were saying stop whinging and get behind the team!