TheReturn

Legend? This is a despicable man who throws a tantrum when he doesn't get his own way. Lets rollback to the end of the SGP last season. Opening ride wins the title, third ride it appeared for the world that he deliberately (is that not called cheating?) slowed down to let Monster teammate Holder get his much needed win. The ref agreed this was dodgy and rightly excluded HanCOCK. What happens next Hancock throws a childish tantrum and withdraws from the meeting (claiming clutch problems)... only to appear later to collect his trophy. Legend? I think not. Last season in the SWC he turned up for the semi-final, was interviewed and made no suggestion that he would not be at Belle Vue for the race off. Come race off night, HanCOCK was nowhere to be seen and had decided not to bother coming to the UK citing some lame excuse that he was giving the kids a chance. No thought about the British fans he cheated, or the other teams who benefited from additional points most likely gained from the rides he should have been in. Legend? I think not. Then the incident with Nikki where HanCOCK assaulted NP (was rightly fined, but not enough). The fight was heat of the moment stuff. What happened two days later was not. He or his team made a statement on his website making some very personal accusations about Nikki and seemingly questioning his mental health. The post was akin to bullying Nikki in my opinion. The post seems to have been removed, so I can't quote from it. So no, Greg Hancock is less Legend and more HanCOCK.

One thing for sure, whenever he is at the tapes, people pay attention and watch!

Judging by the mess of the Poole track, nobody in Poole does

Or calling a hundred older rider/ex riders 'legends'.

Yeah, and then he will make out some pathetic excuse like 'I am giving the younger riders a chance.

You're clearly a wind up merchant judging by some of your posts. But imagine holding it at a full traditional stadium... it's just not the same. Provided they get enough people to make it pay then it doesn't matter if 30k there or 60k, surely? Or does that not fit your moaning agenda?

But why? He won't be world champion in a month or two, and every year he will bring less and less to the series due to his age. I am really struggling to see the justification.

I fear you could be right, but why? How could they justify it? a) It's at the end of his career. The truth is, he is old and he would not ride through pain like Doyley is. B ) He doesn't add much interest or excitement to a GP (unlike say a Emil, Dudek now, Tai is a racer and even Nicki (just about still). There would be absolutely no future sporting justification for including him, other than respecting his world title, but is that fair to give him a place for that reason alone? How much of a say do Monster Energy get on wildcards?

Out of interest, if Hancock misses the top 8 this season.... surely they would not give him a wildcard at his age? I appreciate he is a World Champion, but he can't really add anything to the series beyond this year? Thoughts?

People moan about anything. £25 for a SGP is amazing value. Hardly any football matches in the Premier League or Championship comes so cheap. These days you seem to pay bloody £25 in booking fees if you order gig tickets too.

It may be a minority, but everybody should take responsibility, including the majority of the thorough well behaved fans to deal with their countrymen if they can by having a word or report disrespectful behaviour to stewards.

Of course, there is always an agenda with Pearson because he's got so many fingers in speedway pies (which is why he should not be commentating, plus the fact he is crap). In this case I read that he (unless another Nigel Pearson) is Woffinden's PR person, so of course Pearson will gloss over controversy and big his man up.

Fixed? How? Care to show some evidence to back that claim up?

No idea what the crowd is, but there's always empty seats at Cardiff, doesn't mean the SGP in Cardiff is dying.

it's like you are looking for something to slag the track and British speedway off?

Amazes me how Hancock gets such a reception, and how Pearson calls him Mr Nice Guy after showing such disrespect to British speedway fans in the SWC last season and after he bullied Nicki with his online rants and vicious and cowardly track attack.

I was always against this, it was done years and years ago to save the then British League and all that happened was the then National League clubs were shafted. But these days there is very little difference in league quality it could just work.

Aah, you're embarking on my favourite sport Roundabout, Poole fan baiting.. especially they the gullible bite so easily

Yeah of course you have!

Oh I echo this. Some of his throttle control to take seemingly impossible inside manoeuvres at Station Road were a joy to watch.

Any news on the injured riders?

Sadly this Holder / Kings Lynn mess is nothing new for the sport. I remember watching heat after heat of 5-0 for Long Eaton when Dave Jessup led a walkout of Mildenhall riders at Station Road. The Midlenhall Juniors though showed they had balls and did ride the second half to their credit. Rider safety must come first, always, but rider tantrums should never be tolerated. Maybe the sport needs to involve experienced former riders to be independent track adjudicators at every meeting... although adds more costs.

Fair enough then I take it back. Just looked like they were standing there looking at a stricken rider for a long time from the images shown.

I have seen far worse.... usually when BT or Sky were at Poole!

So Rosco said there is no overtaking at this track.... made yourself look a bit silly there Rosco.