szkocjasid

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?

Based on his average I can understand why clubs are after Morris, if I was a Birmingham or Leicester fan probably wouldn't want him back. Incidentally has Morris ever explained why he didn't take the drugs/alcohol test or apologised to the people he let down?

That's not really accurate, you could say they stuck with the planned team once Cairns joined for example. But Marson expected a team spot till then, which didn't happen.

I seem to be in the minority, but I don't have any worries about Dan as a number one.

I think he (Dan T) could end up with a 9.5 ave, I don't see what's funny about that?

Interesting scenario with Riss, if he put a point on his ave, I'd probably call that a disappointing season. Think Morris could put a point on his ave, but not 2. Oxford look to have more improvement in their averages as a whole, good team.

Yeah, think he could put a point on his average.

They probably do have those ambitions, but not necessarily next season. The reserves for example could be aiming to reach that level in 2027 or 2028?

Agree, looking a good team imo

They changed the rules last year, Zischke dropped to 3.00 in the Prem, so did Gusts allowing into the Champ on 4.50. I totally agree with you, that it shouldn't be allowed to happen, at a time when foreign riders are more restricted due to Poland flexing their muscles, why not encourage more Brits?

Just thinking any Prem club interested in Riss would be best to wait till his Champ season starts, then sign him a few weeks into the season. Current Prem ave is 6.46, but Champ converted would be 4.75. Of course that could change a little, once he rides in the Champ. To a lesser extent Pickering would be 7.76 in the Prem, but 6.14 on a Champ converted ave. This is why I dislike the current system, as it almost encourages manipulation, as it's legal.

all look capable in those averages. If I was a Leicester fan, would be happy with that team. Especially if Gilkes was RS, as someone else mentioned.

6 Champ heat leaders is a "half decent team"?

Palm Toft on a 4.07 converted ave? Former Lynn rider.

Personally I wouldn't have Cooper in the Prem & certainly not in the top 6. Let him find his feet at Champ level. If they did start with Gusts & he went missing a lot, simply use Rushen as a guest to get be him experience. If he starts scoring maximums every week in the Champ then look at bringing him in?

If Hume is still injured, then obviously no team will want to sign him. Besides I never said Berwick made a mistake not picking him, I merely disagreed with the comment he'll never improve. Every rider is different & injuries affect them all in different ways. Look how Lewis Kerr returned after being in a coma for example.

Gusts has a 3.00 Prem average, he could ride at 6 instead of using 2 x RS

Can the BSPL afford to do that with so few teams remaining?

Of course they're on the way down, ex GP riders on the way up don't race in the Champ lol! Anyway, while I get your point, Batchelor's form last season allows him to be a 3rd heat leader, while Cook was decent (when he was there). At their peaks, team would be over the limit. Biggest issue with Cook would be him not starting the season, as long as he starts the club could use guests if he went missing. I think the silence when he goes missing goes against Cook. If for example he came out & said "I'm having mental health issues & have been signed off by a doctor" I think people would be far more understanding. But when he doesn't turn up & clubs say very little, fans could feel he just can't be bothered.

I've never said Hume was gonna jump up a level, my original point was disagreeing with this comment "he will not improve, I don't get why people can't grasp that" - to me that's a very strong statement. There's no evidence he won't improve, it's not like he's gone downhill year after year. I looked at slightly different averages, counting a full season not just the rolling aves, as the 2022 season only had a 10 match rolling ave so doesn't show his form for the whole season, plus his 2025 average carried half of 2024 matches. So in 2025 he had his best average in the Champ, that doesn't suggest to me, he'll never improve. 2021 - 4.98 2022 - 5.54 2023 - 4.90 2024 - 4.99 2025 - 5.68 my Hume comments have been: "but why were you so sure he wouldn't improve?" "He may not get any better, but I wouldn't say he can't" Edit: just noticed since he left Glasgow, he's never dropped back down to reserve.

Bowes had a much better home average this year, McDiarmid was much better away. If Mitch can learn how to ride his home track better, his average could rise by 2+ points imo. Being an Aussie, I'd kind of expect Workington to suit Bowes more than Poole would, so think his average could even drop!

agree with both of these, couldn't have put it any better