szkocjasid

Surely you'd want a team built to the limit, with potential to improve? Mind you, if Birmingham had 7 points left, signing a 7 points rider who you expect to drop a point, is still better than a 4 point rider you think can put a point on their average.

Not at all, Belle Vue may have a list of 10 riders they thought had potential for their 2025 team, can't sign them all. Doesn't mean they don't rate the ones not picked i.e Vuolas.

I'd say Redcar have a stronger top 3 / top 4, also have a better reserve pairing. Glasgow the better number 5. Guess I'd favour Redcar to finish higher than Glasgow. Mind you Redcar haven't been invincible at home in recent years, but this year could be different.

It's not an awful team, but the fact they'd have to put 2.8 on their averages to even reach the points limit feels like an opportunity lost to really challenge at the top. Can't blame Birmingham if a rider chooses to go, but just imagine Brennan instead of Vuolas.

With Birmingham building below the limit, no one is really on a "bargain average". If Jeppesen goes from a 4.5 to a 6, but the team would still been legal if he started on a 6, then no advantage has been gained. For Birmingham's point of view, I hope you're right & he does average 6.

It's tough to place Glasgow, they have the strongest top 5 in the league, along with the weakest reserve pairing.

I'd be very surprised if Vuolas doesn't increase his average. He's had less than half a season in the Prem, so would expect him do do better as he learns the tracks. Although I don't expect a massive improvement as it's a strong league these days.

1) I guess Birmingham are hoping they will have a longer future. 2) Birmingham management may disagree with me & feel Vuolas will be stronger than Sedgmen in 2025. With so many returning / new riders to GB, I'd have wanted someone more experienced over here at reserve (Sedgmen).

I will say it's a better team than I expected, once they had lost Brennan & Lindgren I feared the worst. But looks the weakest of all the completed teams. Hopefully will be stronger than last year's side.

Gotcha, I was mainly thinking about the Champ not Prem.

Don't know where you got that stat from, everything I see shows MPT was stronger at home not away?

I'd say Vuolas would be a good signing if they had 4.5 remaining, not so great when they had over 6. However, it was expected they would be building under the limit, so that's tempers any disappointment. I think Sedgmen is better now & would've picked him, but Vuolas is the better prospect for the future, so can understand the signing. Although that doesn't mean if he improves Birmingham will benefit in the future as he could move on (like Brennan).

If you look at MPT's Championship averages alone, you couldn't say he's "well past his best" at this level. Before 2017 never averaged above 7.00. 2018 - 7.96 2019 - 8.18 2021 - 7.32 2022 - 6.76 2023 - 7.01 2024 - 7.80 I think because he can be inconsistent, people make out he's worse than he actually is. Granted in the Premiership his scores have certainly fallen, even allowing for the fact it was a far weaker league when he averaged 7+ in the Prem.

Riders like Lahti & Madsen would be given new averages even though they previously had an average in GB. As a former GP rider Madsen may be assessed at 8.00, but as he's not a current GP rider not totally sure.

There's been quite a lot of talk about Klindt vs Zagar (who's better) plus also how Klindt is far superior to MPT. But because of the averages the questions should really be, which would be better: Zagar & 3.00 rider Klindt & 3.92 rider MPT & 6.00 rider. I would have gone for MPT & another second string, but I don't know if that was ever in their plans. Although I suppose if they end up going with Ben Trigger as the last rider, then both Zagar & Klindt would've fitted, so it does become a relevant question, who'd be better Zagar or Klindt?

I can't imagine why they'd go for Covatti over the likes of Sedgmen, Batchelor or Kerr. Maybe if he'd had an injury free season, but he'd be no where near the top of my list. Mind you with Peter Schroeck you never know what he's gonna do.

I wouldn't want Nick Morris at all. Would rather have Sedgmen

February 21st.

Possibly going to announce their side at their next video night?

I think you're selling MJJ short there, he had a fantastic season, must have achieved more than anyone could have expected. Of course not everyone takes to the GB tracks like the do the Polish ones, but as he's ridden here before, should do well. If I was a Brummies fan I'd be relieved that they now have a chance to avoid the wooden spoon.

After his performances in the Polish Extraliga last year, that's a brilliant signing

Danyon Hume named as Berwick captain for 2025.

Attempting a team using former Fen Tigers Connor Coles 8.00 Jack Kingston 6.45 Matt Marson 6.20 Alex Spooner 5.07 Luke Muff 4.83 Elliott Kelly 4.41 Sam Woolley 3.00 Total 37.96

Yeah, totally agree. With a sparse fixture list it's very disappointing.

I'd normally agree with that reasoning, except a few people have said Berwick get good crowds for the Border Trophy?