TheReturn

It's more ridiculous to pick out of form and undeserving riders randomly as in Holders case for a world championship event because their face fits, or they might be sponsored by the right people. If the race off is the start of the following season most injured riders will be fit, so they're given a second chance to qualify by right in a sporting spectacle. It's meant to be a sport after all.

But his form all season in the GP and leagues is patchy. It's meant to be a bloody sporting competition, we shouldn't be living off past glories to decide who gets the coveted spot. What is that saying, you're only good as your next game.

Instead of wildcards... what about at the start of the following season all those riders injured and not in the top 8 go through to a a final GP challenge shoot out with the first 8 that didnt make the cut from the GP challenge the previous season... a shoot out for those final 4 places. Maybe some sponsorship issues for those 4 that make it in terms of not having much time to plan for a GP season, but that's a far better sporting way to decide.

Ward as always been a vile little moron off track. His posts are very much slanted towards riders he likes and riders he dislikes, this is another example. But on Holder, some 24 hours later I am still yet to see any valid justification ideas from anyone for his inclusion other than the fact he's sponsored by that green crap. If he comes back to British speedway next season, based on the last few months I feel sorry for the club that gets him.

and not had to worry about riding in the UK in the last few weeks

I am just astounded he looked so disinterested in Melbourne. It was his home GP, in front of a big crowd, was he just not bothered or was it a performance knowing he was safe next season, I am not sure which.

This season his GP form was poor, his showing in his home GP of Melbourne was lacklustre. He doesn't deserve the pick and I don't see him setting the world alight next season.

it shouldn't be about nationality. I would have put Iversen and Kildemand both above Holder.

I questioned Hancock being offered one earlier in the thread, but I am willing to accept others views the justification for offering him is the fact he is reigning world champion and because of injury, so that wildcard is perhaps acceptable. But I don't see any justification for Holder being given one.

I guess we now know why Holder's Melbourne form was lacklustre.

Another lovely tweet from that vile prat Ward. Short memory does Mr Ward. He wasn't saying that when Nicki offered to auction a race suit for his fund.

Holder being given a wildcard would be a travesty. His GP form was average at best this season, poor in fact. Last night he looked totally disinterested.

Whoever said that clearly remain clueless about speedway. He would have won last season had it not been for injury, so to follow that up this season and take it is far from mediocre.

My god Pearson went into full screaming like a demented fool overdrive when Doyley took the title. Still, at least he managed to notice when the title was won this season. Woeful commentator. Ruins the coverage, real professional commentators show excitement without screaming like demented fools.

True, but we also said the same about Tai at the start of the season he won his first title.

Agreed, injuries happen, but it was always the case, the World Final would miss key riders because of injury preventing them qualifying. I think if wildcards are to be used they should only be used in case of existing SGP riders missing much of a SGP season through early season injury, but if no rider qualifies through injury then yes top 8 from the SGP Challenge.

He needs all the help he can get judging by his current yoyo form in the GPs.

Sshh.. we are not allowed to be critical of Pearson on this forum.

That's because Pearson is a one trick pony in commentary terms. Every race is a big race too... apparently.

As that changed, I always thought the rule was you had to be at the tapes ready to race.... not on track heading towards tapes.

Looking at that, clearly a 50/50 racing incident. If pushed I would have excluded Lindgren for leaning into Bjerre. But clearly no dirty riding by either, no intent by either. Just sad Freddie is injured.

Amazing how people defend basic stuff like him failing to get the scores right. Surely people are right to expect that very basic of things from a so called professional commentator?

Excellent final race, shame the screaming prat ruined the spectacle. And of course congratulations to the same tonight. From the 23 races he managed to restrict himself using the phrase 'here we go' at the start of each race to just 20 mentions. Not bad for a professional sports commentator hey.

Well if that is the case, he needs to change that! Yes he can take advice from his team, but he's the rider, he's the one who knows the conditions so it needs to be his final call on which gate to select. If he is the one selecting and getting it wrong he should perhaps take a closer look and analyse what his peers do in similar situations.

Looking back two GPs when he made a big thing about telling Doyley he's coming for him, he looks a bit silly now in the two GPs since.