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Does that mean the teams & rules for the NDL have been decided then? Certainly be interesting to see who the Spires & Cheetahs have lined up, more question marks than other clubs have.

2023 at Oxford Jacob Fellows had 2 home matches, 3 rides in each. Luke Killeen took 6 rides in one & Sam Woods 5 rides in the other. Away from home 3 rides in one match, got 5 in the other when Killeen got injured. Fellows then got dropped before getting a fifth match. That's a prime example of a rider who would've benefitted from getting a minimum of 5 rides per match.

Don't need special dispensation, I'm sure when Nicholls is fit, he'd have plenty of teams looking to strengthen up. Any easing if the rules would be to Oxford's benefit rather than Scott's I reckon.

The same thing could be said of Tobias Thomsen & look how good he turned out to be. Of course he's been riding in Denmark, not sure how much Keleher races in Aussie.

If Poole went with 2 x 2.00 riders I'd agree with you, but if the other reserve is Thomsen the new 2 pointer would know he's leaving (of Cairns has signed for Poole).

I'd disagree that it was a "no brainer" firstly I'd want Brennan & probably happy to let Rew go, but he's still gonna get better so while he's not stronger than King or Ellis now, he could be by the end of the season? Probably fancy Witches for the title whoever they picked out of King / Ellis / Rew, so best drop the one who's most expensive / has the least air fares etc.

I think the Sheffield team looks "lopsided" with a weak number 6, but they do have one of the better number 7s. Even with his disappointing season at Birmingham, Flint is still one of the best "rising stars" before any improvement he may find? As many people expected more of him (Leon included no doubt) he isn't looked on as a great signing, but I'd want him in the team ahead of most of the other "rising stars". It certainly makes next season interesting to see how the likes of Sheffield & Lynn fare with their team building being completely opposite.

I think Rowe will do better than many are expecting, but even if he does only score his starting average (3.9) it'll take a long time to lower his rolling average down from above 5. If Sheffield make changes most likely to be if someone like Vinnie Foord became a superstar & overtook Hume with his Champ scoring?

KK could score maximums at home, so much be considered a better signing than Milik or Pawlicki were. If Zagar drops to reserve, which would take longer than a month with rolling / assessed averages, then Brummies will have a title challenging team.

As I always do, I base predictions on confirmed signings so far so: 1. Ipswich 2. Sheffield 3. Leicester 4. King's Lynn 5. Birmingham 6. Oxford 7. Belle Vue

I think when every club has chosen their number 7, Poole will go for the next best available. Can't imagine any rider willing to take half a season at Poole over a full season elsewhere.

This is what confuses me, why have a rule voted on by the clubs, which all the clubs agree to ignore? Why not simply say every club has to use an RS & not mention order of picks?

Can't see him willing to take a part time spot if he has offers elsewhere for a full season. If they're expecting to bring Nicholls in, it's more likely someone who wasn't planning to do Champ this year imo

Last year Nathan Ablitt's average for Scunthorpe was rounded down, so gotta be 10.33 if they're consistent

I believe Hume was signed because he's the best rider available, not because he had a good season last year (if he had a good season his average would've been too high). Even if he does poorly, that's kind of to be expected from a 3 point reserve in a strong league. It's pretty simple, Sheffield's top 4 need to win them matches, if they lose I wouldn't be blaming the signing of Hume.

By my sums, that team is over the limit? Richard Lawson 9.17 Lewis Kerr 7.76 Zach Cook 6.23 Anders Rowe 6.11 Sam Hagon 4.73 Tobias Thomsen 4.41 Two Pointer 2.00 Total 40.41

Harris himself said when dropped " i can confirm that I am not in Oxford plans for 2025, but thank everyone involved in the club for 2024" That doesn't sound like a rider who didn't want to stay

Although Pickering, Brennan & Ben Cook all decided to leave the Champ, there's always a chance they'd be willing to come back for a short term deal if they knew Scott's likely return date?

So I've read on here, but until he's announced people are still gonna discuss him in other teams.

Five months before the season has started & some clubs haven't announced any riders, so no I wouldn't be concerned yet. Plenty of unsigned riders still out there.

Riss has a lower average than Nicholls, so if the teams average went above 40 when Nicholls is fit, might not be as simple as that? As Nicholls won't start the season, don't think they can use a rider as a 28 day replacement like they can during the season? Of course if the team is below 40 or Riss ups his average to 8.6+, no issue!

I did wonder if that could happen?

That would have to be the strongest reserve pairing in the league surely?

How about? Justin Sedgmen 7.92 Paco Castagna 7.11 Kye Thomson 6.53 Cameron Heeps 6.37 Victor Palovaara 5.00 Jonatan Grahn 5.00 Max James 2.00 Total 39.93

Every other thread in the Championship section is for opinions, rumours as well as facts official or common knowledge. This is the only thread for confirmed signings.