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I still think Glasgow would have a good season if that were the case, good top 3, stronger reserves than last year. Could even mean Hausl having a spell at reserve if that happened. Problem is there's a fair few decent looking teams, so a good team could finish out of the top 4.

Personally I'd recommend to a young rider to move up one step at a time, rather than making a massive jump. I hope it works out for him, but also feel "what's the rush"? One trick Lynn might have missed would be placing Rushen in the RS berth & if he becomes an overnight superstar, they'll be able to sign him in 2027 with 25% reduced from his average! I guess the only danger of that, would be a lower ranked team picking him first in the RS draft? That could only be a new club as only Oxford & Birmingham finished below them. But in that case could he not just do a "Jordan Jenkins" and sign for the club he wants to anyway?

I'd go for this option Michael Palm Toft 6.10 Declan Kennedy 4.63 Simon Lambert 4.43

Vaclav Milik on 4.11? Former Lynn rider!

Apart from Plymouth on Tuesdays, Birmingham raced on Mondays, plus Sheffield raced on a Monday & Wednesday.

I think joining a club like Poole will always increase expectations, especially in the case of Cairns who was announced half a season before he could ride. If Rushen is planning to ride in the Prem already, I'd suggest the expectations won't get to him. I guess if a rider wanted a no pressure first season, best join the perennial strugglers at the bottom?

Definitely the strongest part of their team. Could also be Poole depending on how they progress. Don't think Redcar look so great in the top 5, so good reserves needed.

Instead of just laughing, why not give constructive feedback? If my teams are so bad show stronger ones, which apparently must be easy otherwise my teams wouldn't be so humourous! What would you do if they couldn't get Cook, Kemp or Vuolas & looked to build strength in depth?

He's got potential, riding for a Wednesday track at Oxford didn't work. Don't know if Saturday's would be any better. Not a great many options on that average (if they don't go the Cook route) Cameron Heeps? Declan Kennedy? Or Kennedy instead of Bowtell?

How about a strength in depth team? Jonas Jeppersen - 8.20 Troy Batchelor - 7.10 Tate Zischke - 5.76 Francis Gusts - 5.49 Jonas Knudsen - 5.05 Alfie Bowtell - 4.65 Vinnie Foord - 3.69 Total - 39.94

Would be a good signing imo. Didn't like Oxford, but better elsewhere.

I think Max Perry is a fair bit better than Sam McGurk was. Actually averaged better away from home, so if he finds a track he prefers to Glasgow, could progress even more? Looking at his Northside scores, he's had 2 good matches at development level, but not rode at Champ level yet, surprisingly.

Well I assume she'd be on a 3.00 ave now the rules have changed?

Has Pickering's average been announced? I make it 11.64 (7.76 x 1.5).

That's why I suggested him as a short term back-up option. Otherwise I would have said he would be a good signing full time. If he wanted to ride in the Champ only other option would be Scunthorpe, but would be tough to fit him in alongside Pickering. Credit to him for being brave enough to leave Champ behind & try to progress as a rider, if that's his plan, but kinda feel one season too early for that.

Normally with the rolling averages it'll take some time for big changes. But in Palovaara's case he'll be dropping his high scoring reserve rides first, so potentially gives Berwick room for manuvre. Normally I wouldn't expect a knee-jerk reaction from them if the team doesn't start well. But they made a quick change last year with Borke.

Christmas eve announcement possibly?

I have found some positive stats for Bandits fans. Smith averaged 3.07 in his 2025 matches, but with the last couple against Workington not counting, must've had a poor end to 2024, which drops his rolling ave. Now that's still a disappointing season for a reserve with his experience no doubt, but does mean Berwick could be hopeful he can add half a point to his ave.

Smith does seem incredibly popular on fb. In previous seasons whenever a rider is injured, someone will say "what about Jack Smith, he could do a job" even when it's a heat leader missing. Heck someone just said he could do a job in the Prem. I find it hard to put a positive spin on the signing - maybe he can get his average back above 3?

Cheers, I am certainly confused, some responses were as if I said Joe Thompson would be a 9.5 rider, rather than Dan! Completely understand people disagreeing, but laughing - not so much. As for the SWC, he'll definitely be in the squad, can't be far away from the team?

While not ideal to lose such a great rider, as long as Belle Vue had Bewley, may help them build a team under the 37 limit without their 2 superstars?

I might understand that more of Doyle was still a 9+ rider, but now he dropped below 8, feel this could be a good level for him to get back to winning ways? Also does dropping down a league in Poland count as racing the top boys?

I'm of the opinion riders should be role models. Don't want to teach your kids, that this is acceptable behaviour when you don't get your way! I know some people thought Wright & Allen shouldn't have been fined for their fight, citing ice-hockey for example. But I always thought, if you shouldn't pick a fight in the street, why should you on the track / pitch etc.

Pickering looked so childish & unprofessional there. Wouldn't have been surprised if Leszno didn't pick him again.

While there's a risk of signing Cook & him not starting the season, how about Workington getting Drew Kemp to agree to be back up (assuming he's not looking for a Champ spot) he may be willing to ride for a few weeks till they got things sorted out?