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Even if Birmingham sign Rory Schlein as a temporary replacement for Pawlicki, I don't think they'll get thrashed. They've not got any "duffers" in the team, 5 points each = 35 points, which I think is doable.

I don't know what the rulebook says, just basing my answer on Plymouth using a (75%) guest for Dan T when he got injured before riding for them. Same thing happened when Poole didn't sign Smetana was it in 2021? When a team has "no facility" that no longer means a 3.00 rider, it means 75% of the missing riders average. Thanks to Diamonds85 for the correction.

Based on previous seasons, they should be allowed to use a guest up to 5.63 (75% of Pawlicki's average). But I'm sure they'll find someone willing to race for a few weeks.

Some had announced they want team places, others haven't announced their retirement, so can only assume they want to ride.

That made me laugh lol!

I'd prefer a league where clubs race on their preferred race night. Unfortunately that would mean losing out on the top riders due to foreign commitments. So I don't have the answer

There's plenty of riders wanting team spots / available to cover injuries: Max Clegg, Jack Smith, Ben Morley, Ryan Kinsley & Adam Roynon etc Not strong enough for Workington or Plymouth, but technically there are options available.

Is that not what rumours are?

Don't forget most Premiership clubs race on Thursdays now, only Belle Vue & Birmingham on Mondays I believe? So could cause chaos to the fixtures. Unless they simply decide to use more GUESTS

Me too. Maybe Celina will get outings in the women's races? Possibly they thought Comets fans would come anyway, but still confused at no Comets.

Totally agree, even if British Speedway is very against an agreement over giving up Thursdays, if the alternative is losing multiple riders, can't see a suitable alternative. However you can be sure, the fixture list could be changed at short notice due to TV requirements or rained off meetings. Maybe allow Prem matches on Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays? At the end of the day as long as Poland pay more they can get away with it. British Speedway had the same attitude in the 70s & 80s.

Not forgotten about that, just that teams should average out at 42 but the increase stops at 40, so could get the situation where wesl teams can't strengthen up.

Hadn't heard that, such a shame.

Sensible predictions

Can't really blame Leicester for dropping Dan T as Kemp was a good signing, but if they hadn't and had Dan T as RS this year, would probably be favourites along with Ipswich imo.

I must admit I find it hard to believe all 49 riders will be there, seems too professional an idea for British Speedway lol! I'll tip my hat to them if it happens though. I do wonder who's paying for all the flights etc

Lack of home advantage could be a leveller, but Kerr at reserve can cover for any of the top 5 if needed. But still can't see past Oxford for a home win, hope Birmingham can reach 40.

Now five clubs are complete 1. Leicester 2. Oxford 3. Edinburgh 4. Belle Vue 5. Middlesbrough ? Scunthorpe / Sheffield

I wouldn't say I've personally overlooked Leicester's reserves when ranking them, maybe more I feel the top 5 is strong enough to cover for them? There's no doubt that this is the Lions weak point. While Mountain & Jenkins are similar to Kemp in standard, stepping up to number 6, both Belle Vue (Bailey) and Ipswich (Dan T) have stronger rising stars than Leicester (Joe T) as do Sheffield (Gilkes), although they have a weaker number 6 (Edwards) than Leicester. Leicester have done well with the points limit signing a 4.00 Kemp on a 3.00 ave to allow a strong top 5. So while Ipswich haven't used the spare point from signing Jenkins, they still look the team to beat for me!

You can still wear the hoodies. Certainly don't understand footie fans who buy new kits every season.

Middlesbrough Tigers complete with William Hocaniuk (3.00).

One downside of this, apart from starting off weaker, is when Covatti is fit, will he be able to return to the team under the limit? If the other riders increase their averages, could block his return to the team.

Can't believe Edinburgh didn't put Jacob Hook in heat 8, had looked better than both Fredriksen & Sarjeant after two rides each. This is certainly where Poole are more ruthless when swapping reserves round, although not needed in this match as Ablitt is on a par with B.Cook. After heat comment - well I definitely would have used Hook. Probably instead of Sarjeant though, was was better than Fredriksen, who'd be a team manager lol!

Finally getting round to watching this on BSN. Edinburgh seem to run a similar team each year. Poole probably make more changes during to being above the points limit & having to drop a heat leader. Sadly not any passing so far. Gotta say Nathan Ablitt looks good.

Yeah that second part confuses me, if you enjoy watching Speedway, why stop if "your" team closes? Although nowadays a fans second closest track, could be quite a trek compared to 20 years ago & fans may get their fix from TV / streaming?