szkocjasid

Can anyone explain how Anders Rowe's average has changed? He had a 3.91 average for April, so should be at reserve with the double changes, but he's listed in the top 5! The only thing I can think of, is that because they've redeclared the team his 25% reduction is no longer used? Is that a rule? Would it make a difference if it was a Brit with a 2.5% reduction? Edit: just noticed Lewis Kerr finished 2024 on 4.89 but starts 2025 on 4.77. So can someone explain why he gets a reduction but Rowe does not? So as things stand it appears every single non "RS" Brit in the Prem has an average reduction, except for Anders Rowe!

Gonna be 60 something, 20 something imo

If there's no facility available, a team can't use r/r, have to use a 75% guest.

Interesting ruling over James stepping down "Stellar Monarchs have been granted a facility for 28 days to cover for his absence but will be attempting to fill the vacancy in the team with a full time replacement as soon as possible" Is there any point to Monarchs being given a facility? If they weren't due a facility they'd be allowed a guest up to 75% of his average but as he's on the minimum 2.00 average, they'd still be allowed a 2.00 guest. If he's withholding his services I guess that means he can't ride NL/NT at the moment? Not sure if he plans to carry on with development league racing, whilst taking a step back from the Champ? Hopefully he'll be back soon, really thought he was promising last season & had the potential to be one of the top 2.00 riders this year.

If only Leicester released Masters instead of Lawson, then Sam could've ridden for Oxford in both leagues.

You mean when he made a factually correct statement in an interview?

I agree with you to a point. Some clubs will give all their riders 4 rides regardless of the score. Whilst others will give their weaker 3.00 riders (who arguably need the rides more) 3 rides each & give a superstar 3.00 rider 7 rides. Now I'm not saying they are doing anything wrong by trying their hardest to win. But if winning & losing matters to clubs, then it's only fair for fans to make predictions, claim some clubs are weaker than others, suggest team changes etc.

I just don't understand that, if it was the top Swedish riders, then yes I get why they'd think that.

From John Campbell "We will always be proud to have high-quality riders in our side that are being called up by their international federations and we wish Paco, Victor, and Jonatan, all the very best. It is a great opportunity to perform on the international stage. Let's be honest no-one considers these three "high quality" riders when it comes to international meetings. Paco was always going to be missing. Can't understand the Swedish selection, if you can pick a stronger pair who didn't have a league match that day why wouldn't you? Almost sound like the Swedish team manager is a Berwick fan?

I totally disagree with that, what about people who have planned holidays etc or those swap shifts because they work different hours each week? If it's a rain-off you begrudgingly accept it, but it would be far worse to have a holiday messed up than to watch an understrength team.

What is Schroeck's excuse gonna be this time? Kildemand is back & Brennan did an acceptable job as a guest. I wouldn't rush to get rid of Tungate, as they have points to play with if he moved to a second string position could that get him back to last year's form? Problem is there isn't an obvious rider to drop, Gusts has been promising, if you replace Tungate with a higher scoring number one, rest of the team still looks average. That's if you can find a new number one. Kildemand has hardly ridden, so he may need more time to show what he can do.

That would only work if teams wanted to get promoted. In every sport being in the top division should be the aim for all. Whether it's costs involved or race nights, clubs not owning their own stadiums, there's many barriers to stop this happening.

I've got to give credit to the clubs for arranging restaging dates so quickly. Despite only having two days to race on, far quicker than Championship clubs at rearranging postponed meetings.

Reading on FB it seems like it's acceptable for Belle Vue to call a match off for wet weather, but not acceptable for Birmingham to do the same thing, just because they are weakened? I know us Speedway fans can be as suspicious bunch, but why automatically assume it's been called off for team strengths rather than the weather? If Birmingham called off every match when they looked weak, they would never run lol!

I can't remember exactly how it worked, but yeah there was a time when teams got an advantage in the play-offs due to league positions. Was it not 2nd vs 5th (home leg only) Then 3rd vs 4th (home leg only) Then 2 winners in the semi final, highest place team at home. Then a two-legged final against the team that finished first? Could also have (or as well as) been top 2 to semi finals, 3rd vs 6th & 4th vs 5th home legs only / points advantage. I feel like that was changed, because the team finishing top had a long wait for the final, when others were racing. I'm sure the season(s) they had a points advantage to the higher placed team, it only occurred in the semi finals. The finals have always been even between both teams.

What pre season predictions? The NDL / NDT doesn't get anywhere near the chat the top leagues do on the forum / FB etc. I couldn't say who everyone was favouring like I can for the Prem & Champ. Since Steelers have changed their side, I'd rate them odds on favourites for the title. Since Belle Vue's changes, I'd rate them favourites for the wooden spoon. I may not have said that a week ago. Mind you with Foord missing & Rushen guesting, Middlesbrough should've been capable of the win.

24th May is the next Saturday both teams are available for the restaging. But with Glasgow hosting a big event would they race that day? After that 31st May is provisional for the KOC against Glasgow, but can't race that till the Edinburgh tie is decided lol!

Remember he's only a 6 points rider. Got a tough gig at number 5. For Plymouth to avoid the wooden spoon needs to find his form of a few years ago. Lot of pressure on him imo.

I think Poole will romp the group. This result does mean Oxford have a chance of best second place though.

Gotta give a lot of credit to Max Perry, didn't expect a score like that. Well done lad.

After seeing Hagon not beating an opponent in his first two rides for Berwick against (statistically) the weakest reserves in the league, I take it back, it was the right time to drop him. I don't know if it's confidence or ability, but best stay away from the Prem for now.

I disagree with that, it is a sport & if you're not performing, can't demand a place all season. But I do feel, and this is for all riders, there should be a minimum amount of matches ridden before you can be dropped, maybe 8, at the very minimum 6 imo.

I thinks it's harsh & too early for a couple of reasons. 1) Hagon hasn't had any Champ matches yet to compare his form to Gilkes. 2) Leicester "reserved" Hagon as their RS, meaning no other team could secure him in the draft, to then drop him seems odd. To "reserve" Hagon rather than hope someone better was available when it came to their pick, must mean they had a lot of faith in Sam's ability, where has that faith disappeared to?

But they won't always be racing a team with reserves as good as Scunthorpe's. Should be stronger than Glasgow's reserves, but could be the second weakest reserve pairing. There's a real mixture this year, some teams with 2 good reserves, some 1 & some none.

Comments from Schroeck in the Speedway Star: "Acknowledging the below-par nature of performances, which included a 40-point hammering at Ipswich, the German boss has vowed to carry on searching for a solution to their poor early season form" Is it possible it's not poor early season form were seeing, just that the Spires are too weak for their opponents? "Dan (Thompson) came in and did a very good job and I was close to putting him in Heat 15 but it didn't really matter that much in the end. "I needed to give our No. 1 (Rohan Tungate) an opportunity. He gave it a go but it didn't happen for him in the end. I'm in a difficult situation at the moment trying to keep everybody happy. "It's what I signed up for, so I've got to carry on. All we can do is pick ourselves up, go again next week and see what happens." That last part make me think they're not looking at making changes, at the moment hoping their form improves?