szkocjasid

I'm guessing from Berwick's point of view, they'll get more fans on a Saturday night, even with missing riders than they would on their alternate race-day. With so few fixtures these days, they should manage to race on Saturdays only.

Heading into the last BSN qualifier, by my sums: Berwick have qualified, Workington cannot qualify. if Glasgow win or it's a draw, Glasgow qualify if Edinburgh win, Edinburgh qualify

I think that's what they tried, on their day most of the side can score double figures, but also they can score 2 or 3. Probably need most to be in form every match as they don't have enough quality to cover off form riders.

It doesn't clubs have to use a guest when they have "no facility" which I find odd. Don't see why there can't be a 75% r/r rule tbh

Totally agree with Ian here, while the SCB can't force Howarth to ride, if he previously agreed to ride for Edinburgh then changed his mind for another team, I think it's only fair for them to block the 2nd booking.

Turns out he didn't do any racing anyway. I'm guessing he got paid more to sit in the pits than score 15 points for Edinburgh? I don't like the amount of meetings missed by riders, but what can the BSPL do? If Champ clubs only picked riders who don't race in Poland, the league would be much weaker!

The "no facility" rule doesn't mean 2 points NL riders, it means a 75% guest. Maybe they should try it for ONE season for the KOC, advertise.it as a no guests competition, then if crowds are poor, that's there excuse for never getting rid of the guest system?

Different situation, Klindt missed Saturday matches, due to riding on a Sunday, Dan is racing today.

It only removes one club, still have 6 others to choose from, depending who's racing that night. I guess I don't think it's a travesty if a team is weakened by injury, it's sport, can happen to anyone. I know they'll never ban guests, but feel more restrictions should be put in place, not being able to knock you own team out, to avoid clubs strengthening up, not to reward clubs when riders race abroad etc.

I do think there should be a rule that riders can't guest in their own group.

Unless Edinburgh can win at Berwick?

Same for his 3 opponents though. I'm fact it should be to his advantage, as he'll get used to it?

Good result for Ipswich with their reserves being outscored, I always thought that was what would give them an advantage over their opposition. Delighted for Northampton to get such a great crowd. Probably won't make the play-offs, but look to be more competitive than Birmingham & Oxford last year.

Now he has signed for Leicester, I think that would be wise

If you sign a rider on a lower average, Gilkes being lower than Bowes, then the teams average does not matter.

Iversen should have just done a Paco* & said he activated his injury - Northampton get a (full) guest. Anyway Howarth seems a decent enough option, especially as they can't qualify! * I'm assuming that's what happened never heard from the SCB on the Paco "situation"

How about Daniel Klima at 6 & Joe Thompson at 7? Would have to be before Klima's average went up. I don't think I'd drop Etheridge for a RS though. The number 6 spot is tougher than the RS spot & while suggestions on here could work as RS, I don't see them scoring well at 6.

All the more reason to stick with Joe if Dan doesn't have a current Champ team spot. If you look at Champ aves alone it's bizarre no-one wanted Joe as their RS. But obviously he hasn't produced that in the Prem. But this year, he's finally stepped up in the Prem & still no-one wants him? Very odd. I guess other teams "rising stars" know there's competition for places if they are struggling.

I don't think it is a tricky position, Gilkes for Bowes seems the obvious choice

I'd have stuck with Joe, see if Dan impresses at Poole first.

Personally I'd keep Newman & drop Bowes if they want to bring Gilkes back.

Reading this comment from Ollie Allen "I have picked the best team that is available to me" makes me think, one heck of a lot of riders must have turned down the opportunity to represent GB, which is pretty disappointing. Either that or Allen has overrated Cairns & he was quite high up on the list of "next best riders"? Makes me feel the 2 reserves for the British GP should be Leon Flint & William Cairns, if they're willing to travel to rave for GB when others aren't, they should be rewarded with the GP reserve berth slot!

Makes sense why Flint is in the team but not Cairns? Should never have been a Flint or Dan T discussion when Cairns was in the team.

In this instance putting Lambert or Bewley at reserve wouldn't make any sense, all they'd be doing is replacing Cairns in all his rides - no advantage, the team could then be stuck if another rider got injured. If Dan T & Flint were promised 2 rides each, then you could have a stronger reserve to pick the best heats to benefit the team? Maybe that's why Dan preferred getting 2 matches for Edinburgh if he wasn't guaranteed 5 rides in the SWC qualifier?

Don't really understand it myself, there's plenty stronger riders, Lawson, Harris, Howarth, Rowe, Edwards, doesn't have to be an U21 rider (unless they've changed the rules). The other thing I don't understand, is why announce an 8 man squad instead of the allowed 10, then add others to cover injuries, why not include them from the start, could be good for their confidence, rather than admitting to them, they're only a second choice option?