szkocjasid

So are Glasgow's heat leaders getting themselves sorted out, or just a case of racing a team with little heat leader strength?

Might feel good saying that, but wouldn't help his career.

Guess I didn't think Harrison did much wrong, as the rider in front picked his line. Why isn't the ref excluding Harrison if he's riding dangerously?

Embarrassing by Fredriksen, picking on a 16/17 year old after a race. What I saw (of a very entertaining race) was akin to a cycle speedway move, Fredriksen moving Harrison over to get James through. Hard but fair. However if anyone was gonna be upset that would be Harrison imo.

Think I would've given Max James the ride in heat 14, as Connor Coles will get more racing in the second meeting.

I've never understood heat 8 being "protected" in the Championship. You don't have to have your weakest reserve at 7 (Coles) you don't have to have a second string at 2 (Thomsen) plus when using r/r the number one (Howarth) can race in heat 8. So why is this heat "protected"?

100% agree, when the limit is lowered, it's rarely the top riders who miss out (unless they want to) so it's the 4/5/6 points riders who tend to lose their team places, meaning a bigger gap between the top & bottom riders. In an ideal world the top 9 riders in the league should be leaving the Champ, doing Prem & possibly Poland, leaving room for the next group of NDL prospects.

Has Tom really improved, or has his average gone up due to a weaker league (or a bit of both). I think lowering the standard of the National League only makes it harder for riders to make it in the Championship. If it's s possible to score maximums in the NL but zeroes in the Champ, how will riders ever know if they're ready for the step up? No harm in giving Spencer a few guest outings & see how he gets on.

Sam's average is close to double of Max's in the Champ, don't see why they'd do that?

Not necessarily season over, if Leicester also lose at home to Ipswich & Sheffield, it's status quo (although I haven't checked who they still have to race). Agree with your second point, even if they are happy with their team, as soon as you have points available, why wouldn't you try to strengthen up?

Ellis was never going to be in the team unless injuries to two other riders, so don't think his inclusion sheds any light on his injury status. Probably was included previously but only announced yesterday.

Kerr has been poor since returning from injury, while at reserve Riss should be doing much better, certainly not looking a good decision to bring him in for Klindt, still don't know why he was only given THREE matches, when Schroeck seems content with other riders underperforming. With Klindt, Kerr would have been at reserve, cant do anytime about him getting injured abroad though. When I looked at the Oxford team with the latest averages, I actually thought it looked really week. However as long as Leicester underperform, they are probably safe in the play-offs as Lynn & Brummies are quite far back.

Probably be a "subject to approval" situation. Not sure it'd look good if the authorities blocked a young Brit getting a Championship team because he had the misfortune to have been dropped by them previously.

There's not enough clubs in the league for riders to hold grudges.

Seems a little strange to only stream the first match, as everything will be set up already.

I'll go with Sheffield 50-40 King's Lynn

Ipswich 51-39 Oxford

I've seen restrictions placed on the riders you mentioned, as they have ridden abroad, while missing GB matches. But if Klindt is out for the season, like Doyle I'm assuming they can keep using guests?

Is that a new rule?

Expecting a big Sheffield win.

Mainly referring to Championship clubs. With only 11 guaranteed home fixtures, clubs that don't make later rounds would have plenty room to fit in the NDLRC. It's a shame clubs aren't fighting each other to host it.

Sad news for Vinny. Maybe give Max Perry another chance?

I know it wasn't the NDLRC, even if the referee said to me it was, I'd tell him he's wrong. Trying to remember the last time a 3.00 NL reserve 2 matches into his career qualified for the NDLRC The biggest hint that it wasn't the NDLRC, is the long discussion forum users have been having about it. I cannot remember a single season from 94-23 where there was ever a question of "is this the league riders championship"

I've always said it wasn't the NDLRC, despite Poole wanting to call it that. Kind of a shame they are calling it that only because the NDLRC wasn't going to be held this year. There's gonna be clubs finishing the season early if they don't make the play-offs, ideally one of these clubs would hold the actual NDLRC in September.

Not seen McGurk ride, but he has a higher 2024 average than Perry, Foord, Hodder & Atkins. I wouldn't call it an insult losing to Jody Scott on his home track who's 9+ NL average is higher than anything McGurk has achieved, before the match I wouldn't have been surprised of he didn't pick up any points. Not sure who you'd replace him with, as I'm sure Scott will have been promised a starting berth with Oxford next year, as long as he remains on a 2.00 average. Far easier to try & replace Celina, as they have 4.00 available.