TheReturn

As for Pearson, my god, he bangs on about Hancock more now than when he was actually in races. WTF was he on about with Doyle landing on his shoulder rather than head being a good thing? Speedway riders are frequently out because of collarbones. And calling the overall title lead during a race is pointless, as Bartek showed on that final bend, how many times does he do that. Awful commentator... as calling Tai winning a race he was not in last night shows.

You can't appreciate a fantastic, brilliant racer? A clean and fair racer? Yeah if you don't understand that yeah speedway is not for you.

Yes, but you're missing the point. Last year didn't Lambert say he struggled in some GPs because of his full calendar after originally opting for the SEC not expecting to do the SGP. I don't know what Smolinski and second reserve had planned for this year, but one would assume they have to change their entire season plans at this late stage. He was never going to be that after being out all of last season, and that's why I felt the decision to give him a wildcard was ridiculous. I have all sympathy for his wife, I wish her well and I respect Hancock for retiring to be with his family, I respect him for his World titles too. But that doesn't mean I respect some of the things he's done in recent years, the bullying against Nicki (the website post Hancock made), the lame excuse to pull out of riding at Belle Vue to say he wanted to give younger riders a chance (rather than admit he didn't want to ride) and the fact he took a wildcard in October and waited until now to retire all of which were dicking actions.

For the SWC at Belle Vue?

It probably wasn't, but it's still bad considering he had an entire year away from the track to make a decision. I am surprised he didn't claim he was pulling out to give a younger rider a chance!

Typical of Hancock, he could have made it clear in October that he wouldn't ride this year, instead he waits until a couple of months before the season which doesn't give Smolinski long to plan his season and get sponsors to help him with his GP series.

They should offer an additional championship point for any rider that scores a maximum in the qualifying heats (to ensure some credibility to those final few races).

As anybody official actually come out and justified the reasons behind these changes?

Just seen the new changes for SGP qualification for 2021 and they have decided to ignore sporting and earned endeavour to ensure they have 5 wildcard to give away to those whose faces fit (as in Hancock this season). So for 2021 the qualification is: Top 6 in 2020 SGP series Top 3 at GP Challenge Winner of Speedway Euopean Championship 5 wildcards

Yeah do a good job during grand tours in cycling.

I would question 'liked by most fans', and suggest most fans put up with Pearson, but would stop short of saying they like his commentary…. But I guess speedway is a 'mates business' so whoever is filming I assume he will get the gig.

Nigel Pearson talking bollocks from the start of the season right until the end.

Ignore the poster... But he is right. They seems to lack interest, desire or fight. Riders fault, managers fault I don't know.

Tonight is why it's right that Rosco is no longer manager of our national side. That little dig in the interview was negative, unprofessional and unnecessary. But fair play to him for his results with Swindon, deserves credit for that.

Could be worse... could be at Poole.

Pearson saying every point vital..... just like he's said in every meeting all season.

ok. And the two times Doyle went down?

I thought it was just Poole fans that cheered when a rider goes down.

Absolutely. I think Doyle deserves such credit for staying loyal to British speedway.

Not read for a long time TBH, I found the last time I picked up a copy randomly from some shop I didn't expect to stock it the news was (by that point) old and more about club and BSI party lines press snippets, rather than it feeling like independent, thought provoking opinions that fans could relate to. I think Pearson was in that edition, and one of many reasons I don't like his commentary is that he doesn't have a fan opinion, he's a talking/walking BSPA/BSI mouthpiece. I also felt there was far too much grasstrack stuff which didn't interest me (I accept it will many). Maybe it's nostalgia, back in the day when Long Eaton were around (shows how long ago I had a subscription), back then it felt relevant, and it felt (but maybe I am wrong) like there were opinions (not always in agreement, but that's fine), but generally it felt like fans were being represented. Obviously rider interviews have always been pretty good, with great images and that was still good in the last time I read a copy. Not that I expect anybody to listen or change the content of the magazine, but I hope this is constructive feedback which you can use to guide you what this fan (and I guess some others too) might like to see in the magazine if I was buying on a regular basis.... Apologies if you do now do any of these. Less grasstrack (as mentioned above - but some may like) Less of a focus on previous weeks results (internet means that's kind of not needed anymore), but more focus on what's actually going on at clubs/teams with interviews and editorial pieces. Bigger feature on the Polish and Swedish scene. Not just results, but interviews and features to help us understand the scene over there. After all, it's where speedway is right now. Focus on a different team each week, team pictures, history of that club, how to get there if visiting, where to stay, transport links etc etc. Historical look back at 70s, 80s, 90s looking at existing and defunct clubs. Interviews with stars of those era's. I know Backtrack does that but as a fan who doesn't have a team anymore that would be relevant to me and encourage me to buy more frequent. Technical features, maybe looking at different parts of a parts of bikes and types of bikes (maybe monthly if not weekly). That is one area where Kelvin's knowledge is fascinating on commentary. Rider and key people interviews are great, generally I always thought Star got them right mostly (depending who is interviewing), but should also be honest rather than bland PR pieces. Weekly (or monthly) thought from editors on what the sport/British speedway is getting right and wrong and maybe a fans forum views to comment to ensure wide ranging thought provoking piece. Maybe regular features looking at behind the scenes (i.e. follow a busy rider for a week to see how they get from country to country, how they remain fit with so much travel. How does a club prepare a track, How does BSI convert say Cardiff for a SGP etc, etc). My own view is thought provoking, if controversial always makes for a great read. (but not Piers Moron deliberate controversial comments for click bait.)

Money on One Trick Nigel starting with "Natalie, Thank You...". Every week, same weird hand over greeting. About heat 4 for a Cradley reference.

Last night a couple of riders from the same team came together on the first bend, one went down and was excluded. Kelvin said the referee was harsh and should be all 4 back. Kelvin was right in that there was enough contact between the two riders to normally suggest all 4 back. However, my question is this. When the coming together is two riders from the same team, where there is no knock on effect from the opposition, it would be unfair on the other team if all 4 back was applied because two riders from the same team could not get it right between them. So in such scenario, should ref's be encouraged to exclude one rider, rather than all 4 back?

Bit of a farce last night. Others have suggesting rushing through the season to ensure play-off in summer. I am not sure we need to go that far, but without questions play-off's should NOT be in October. Yes some years will be lucky with dry weather, but it will be cold. But this is the UK and October likely to give rain in October more often than not. I would suggest we ensure all league fixtures completed by the middle of August, with the play off's in late August/September. Yes it can rain in September too, but there's better chance of dry and warmer weather than October. October can be used for backup if September does prove to be a washout.

Have a word with yourself. It's not disgusting at all to question the decision. Yes he finished 5th in 2018, and is a former world champion, so what? By the start of the first 2020 GP that will be what, 18ish months later? Which brings me back to the point I have been making, somebody has decided that Hancock is still amongst the best 15 riders in the world, but based on what? It's not based on speed, averages, 2019 results, it's based on marketing and/or nostalgia and that's a dangerous precedent to set for what is meant to be the best of the best. This.... Sometimes injuries and bad luck mean you will not get your seat at the top table. A real sportsperson would want to prove themselves by qualifying, not by being gifted. If wildcards have to be offered, they should only be offered for a qualification meeting, not the series itself.

Another rain off... Who would have thought, important speedway fixtures in the UK in October being rained off.