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I feel that's a little bit harsh on Castagna, who at least managed to average over 4 last season. But totally agree about the reserve berths, I wouldn't have used both "rising stars", especially as inexperienced as they are.

I agree this is a ridiculous situation, but for once British Speedway can't take any blame for it. If British Speedway strongly feel the protocol is important for a riders health & safety officer their opponents, then I'm glad they haven't decided to do what the others do to keep the rules uniform.

Hoping to go one better than last year! Jake Mulford (K) 8.74 Nathan Ablitt (M) 8.33 Vinnie Foord (E) 7.73 Jamie Etherington (B) 6.05 Ryan Ingram (L) 5.18 Charlie Southwick (M) 3.76 Seth Norman (L) 2.00 Total 41.79

I think while Klima is at reserve, r/r works well for Plymouth. But it looks like he'll pretty soon be in the top 5, so they'll need guests till they find a replacement for Thomsen. The team definitely has potential to do well, just need to make sure whoever is signed means they'll still have a strong reserve. Get well soon Tobias.

As long as Klindt was signed as an "injury" replacement, then Wright can replace him regardless of averages.

Glasgow had the better team manager today & that helped them to a draw. I said before heat 11, I didn't trust Cluff to beat Hausl, I'd have Loftus in 11, Cluff in 12, Loftus in 14, thinking Loftus was more likely to beat Pedersen than Flint? Then when Tigers used a tac sub, in 12 meant it would've been even more advantageous swapping the reserves round. Brilliant ride by Dan T in heat 15, to a draw, Monarchs fans may feel relieved to get a draw rather than bemoan throwing away an 8 points lead? Felt it showed there was no need for a "stupid heat", the heat 15 decider was exciting on its own & "stupid heat" could've been a from the gate anticlimax.

Newman is in Poole's current 1-7, the current team can remain till the end of the season regardless of averages. In normal circumstances, If Poole want to make changes, they can build up to the 40 limit or sign a lower averaged rider. Except they can bring Gilkes back for Newman, regardless of averages.

Happy with that prediction 🙂

Think Lynn will have too long a tail to challenge the Witches. But then again, Fricke could score 15 (from 6), so I'll go Witches 49-41 Stars

It would be impossible to build a strong looking team with Pickering on an 11+ average, so I naturally assumed they had a plan for when he got a new average? Technically Harrison is a second string & riding with a heat leader (Connor Mountain). Mountain certainly did his job yesterday.

I feel that's a little harsh on Ablitt, he hardly struggled at reserve as he raised his average so much he then got dropped the following season. So naturally gonna find it tough after racing a handful of NL matches & being thrust into the top 5. I'd blame the team selection, of picking him to be a second string in a struggling team rather than the rider not doing his job (as it's early days yet). The team looked the weakest by far, so I'm not surprised by the 61-29 scoreline, be interesting to see what they do at home in the 2nd leg. Wouldn't be surprised to see team changes on the horizon, almost surprised they didn't make a change as soon as Pickering got a new average.

If I was Zach, I'd be offended by their comments, thinking "is that the best they think I can do" lol!

Maybe they (foolishly) believed they had a decent team & didn't need changes? Some clubs are certainly more ruthless than others & will make changes to strengthen an already strong team!

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 lives 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.