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Bachelor will be on his 2025 converted Champ ave. I'd have gone for Jonas Jeppesen instead of Kye Thomsen, especially after his two guest appearances in the top 5. Think that would've given them more strength at reserve.

while I think Mulford is a fair shout, I can understand Joe T because he's got experience at Leicester, Foord could improve but he's currently only a Champ reserve, so not on the level of the aforementioned duo yet.

When the points limit is lowered, it's hard for teams to appear strong compared to last season's side.

Which available RS is currently better than Joe T? Granted I'm asking this after his better score at home.

On Cook's FB page it's full of his supporters telling him how well he's done, I could hardly believe it. Obviously his followers are gonna be fans, but does it do him any good telling him he did well with 3 last places? I'd think it's be more motivating to say "you did your best, I'm sure you'll do better next time & well done on winning heat 14"?

How could the ref not be aware who was in heat 9? Shouldn't the team manager declare any changes & if he didn't, shouldn't the referee pay attention to who's in the race? Get well soon Tobias.

1. Ipswich 2. Leicester 3. Sheffield 4. Belle Vue 5. King's Lynn 6. Northampton

Looking at the scores, I felt every rider, except Holder & Cairns could be happy with their scores. Not counting Blodorn who got injured, so both teams can be positive for the season ahrad.

My predictions 1. Glasgow 2. Poole 3. Oxford 4. Edinburgh 5. Plymouth 6. Berwick 7. Redcar 8. Workington 9. Scunthorpe Found this a tough prediction to make, apart from Scunthorpe think any other team could make the top 4. Glasgow look to have a strong top end & have been clever with their reserves riding in "lower" positions than last year, so both should see average improvement. Poole don't look as impressive as in previous years, but Rushen could prove to be a masterstroke if he likes up to the hype. Oxford have the best heat leader trip, plus 2 second strings who have a lot of potential. Reserve strength could stop them winning trophies though. Edinburgh look a good team to me, think their reserves will add to their averages, as will Dan & Kye. If the other 3 can maintain their averages, I'll predict play-offs. Plymouth look stronger than in recent years, if Klima can prove to be a trump card, then play-offs well within their reach. Berwick's heat leader trip look very decent, Etheridge could be a 4th heat leader at home (not away), but don't rate their reserves that highly. Redcar appear to be missing back up for Wright / Klindt. Whoever is at reserve should score well, which keeps them mid table, but don't think they are quite as strong as teams above them. Workington on paper, look great at the top, but sadly Cook appears a risk, will he last the season? One of the weaker reserve pairings for me. Scunthorpe clearly looks the weakest team to me, can see heavy defeats away from home. Need to wave the magic wand with Pickering's new average, to avoid the wooden spoon.

While I totally agree any criticism of a rider after ONE meeting is ridiculous, fans can't be blamed for expecting big things from Cairns as he was picked over others riders currently stronger than him. Joe T, Harrison & Mulford all had greater Champ aves & may well have been stronger RS options. So for Belle Vue to choose him ahead of them, means they expect Cairns to be stronger than them (at least by the end of the season) so by that logic fans may expect more (but not based on ONE meeting). Also if a young rider wants to progress at their own rate without any pressure, maybe don't join a club like Poole who expect to win everything & don't ride in the Prem at just 16 years old?

I'm not suggesting Wright would be back in 28 days (sadly), just that Klindt only agreed to 28 days as hell be busy later on. Gives Redcar some breathing room to come up with a long term plan.

Very promising from Palovaara, Berwick could end up with a very potent heat leader trio if they all perform to their potential.

Promising result by Scunthorpe. I felt Redcar's success would rely on their reserves improving. Both rode above their averages, so that was a plus. Of course it's very early days, but don't think either are a top 4 team.

On his own FB page, Klindt said he had signed for 28 days only, but Redcar didn't mention that?

If they are looking to attract new fans to Speedway to make it a success, would Woffinden make much difference to crowds?

I'd agree 3 is no more difficult than 4. All depends on if the opponents put their 3rd heat leader at 3 or 4. Riding at 5, would certainly be more difficult, but Glasgow don't seem to change the riding order much, whoever starts at 5 tends to stay there. I suppose Flint's average should rise because he's the stronger rider in the pairing now, so could go above Howarth?

While I'd understand their concern, no-one is owned a team spot, if they were better, they'd get picked. By disappointment as a parent would be focused on all the teams that don't provide Nora or development league racing. Also there's a chance they could be picked for Mildenhall's opponents?

The first half of your post clearly explains why Nicholls would sign on his Champ converted ave. So I was surprised for you to then get it the wrong way round at the end? Nicholls most recent MA is his 2025 Plymouth one, so that's what's used - for both leagues.

I'd agree with that

Shows why the 42 limit works out, on a lower limit, a "developing" rider would've likely be frozen out of a "development" league team spot. Agree doesn't sound a great signing on his average, when it comes to winning the league - if that was the priority.

I haven't looked at the fixtures in detail, but just assumed every team picked the same week to have the later rounds of BSN & KOC competitions, so whoever goes through they'll be available the same day as their opponents?

Worked for Poole as Starke upped his average. I'd have Lambert ahead of Starke, got a higher average, spending at least half the season in the top 5, compared to Starke at reserve all year. I wasn't impressed with Lambert when I saw him last year, but his average is attractive enough to give him a chance to show last year was a one-off poor season?

Given it's a "development" league, would fans not turn up to see a weaker team, if the club were obviously building for the future?

With everything happening so late, it would probably make sense for Northampton (if they run) to start in 2027. Have a few open meetings this year in preparation. But obviously they are so desperate for a 6th Prem team, they may be letting their hearts rule their heads?

I don't mind the points limit, just keeps the level at last year, but totally agree that minimum average should have been left at 3.00