szkocjasid

I see Fredriksen is guesting for Oxford at Glasgow. If Plymouth are serious about a play-offs push then Oxford are their direct rivals for a play-off spot (Glasgow are secure imo). While I don't expect Oxford to pick up points at Glasgow, if they do then Lasse's hurting Plymouth's chances I'd say. Edit: I don't think Plymouth will get anywhere near 4th, so no harm in him guesting for their "play-offs rivals"

Would be no surprise to see Sheffield hit 60 points

Guesting or team change?

It's very easy to say a 2 pointer isn't doing well enough, but much harder to suggest a replacement who will do better. Which you've shown by suggesting a 5 point rider to replace him lol!

Hardly terrible team building. Glasgow are still in the BSN, KOC & favourites to make the play-offs. Before tonights match had won all 3 away league matches. Yes they have weak reserves, they must have known that pre-season, so need their top 5 to win matches for them!

Even if he hadn't ridden, I think it would be a 75% guest not a NL guest. But as others have said, he's already ridden a match for Glasgow.

I wouldn't go as far as that, but I think dropped riders should get some form of compensation. For example if Trigger wanted to leave Plymouth he'd get a 28 day ban, so if Plymouth drop Trigger pay him (his average) for any Plymouth matches in the next 28 days (unless he gets signed elsewhere)?

Very good post. I wonder of Belle Vie will replace Zischke this year, they've been patient with him, but really need a stronger reserve to challenge for the title imo. For Brennan, has he stalled in Britain this year because he's in such a good team he doesn't have to go well to win, compared to last year, when he needed to be amazing to avoid heavy defeats. Maybe a lack of pressure isn't working for him? For the last paragraph, that's the problem with the play-offs, Ipswich & Belle Vue clashing, doesn't excite me, it's what happens in the play-offs that matters. For that reason I found Birmingham vs King's Lynn the match with more riding on it.

All very good points, would be happy with that. Far far better than the current system.

Whoever King's Lynn don't pick as their RS, Sheffield could ask the other to guest?

I keep reading Lynn commenting about having a "5 man team" which is a gross exaggeration. They had ONE heat without both riders, if a rider had won that heat, they still would've lost. Yes they had riders struggling on a rough track, but that's not really racing with a "5 man team" by all means they could honestly say, they only finished with 5 fit riders.

I think what he said was perfectly fair. When you make a daft prediction, people are quick to point it out, but rarely happens the other way. So naturally you'll want to pat yourself on the back. Nought wrong with that.

I'll go for: Belle Vue 44-46 Ipswich On paper Ipswich better than that, but 5-1s to Belle Vue in heats 13&15, plus an extra ride for Bewley or Kurtz will keep it closer. But not enough for a home win imo

I'll go for: Birmingham 40-50 King's Lynn

Can't see Belle Vue winning this at all, Belle Vue reserves having to take 11 rides between them against a very strong Ipswich reserve pairing, so even if Bewley & Kurtz go unbeaten, still fancy an Ipswich win.

Should be top 2 at 1+5, then rest of top 5 as they please imo.

He's got a better average than many Brits at reserve. Unfortunately for him, he's riding in a weak team that has lots of points to spare. There are weaker reserves still with team spots due to the points limit.

Cluff would be the next to go if they found a stronger rider imo.

It could simply be Plymouth think Klima is better than Trigger & he's the best rider willing to ride for them? Ideally they should've signed an 8.00 rider, putting Bowtell to reserve, but dropping a 3.5 rider for a 4.0 rider isn't pointless. I'm sure Plymouth will be hoping Klima is better than a 4.0 rider anyway.

No special allowance for Lynn, obviously the rules allow clubs to redeclare their RS every match of they so want to. So far only Lynn have done it. Lynn aren't using a facility to replace a rider quitting. Just signed a new rising star (which they keep swapping).

Duplicated

As a reward for winning the LCQ / finishing top scorer (or 2nd top). As the FIM want to winner to score the most, they'd probably want the finalists to score more than non finalists too. But there's no reason why 20-18-16 the heat results counting wouldn't work imo.

All brilliant points. The promoters should read this at the AGM.

My biggest issue is the points scoring, if a rider scores 12 points in the heats, why can't he keep those points? If 5 riders tied on 6 points why does one deserve 4 more points than someone who scored the same as him? Wether they have top 8 semi finals or top 10 LCQ's they could simply make the final scoring 20-18-17-16, everyone else gets the points scored during their 5 heats.

Totally agree, riders say you have you pay X amount because that's what bikes cost. But really it should be riders get paid based on how much income clubs get from the gates & sponsors. Clubs willing to run at a loss is bizarre to me. Riders won't like it, but as other have said they used to have to work & ride. Maybe it's best the Champ goes back to what it was like when Workington returned? You could say ideally the Champ is for riders who live & work over here. Prem riders can chase Poland etc.