TheReturn

I don't think it would make the sport look any worse, these things happen in sports I guess, hopefully they get improved for next time. However, what I would like to know who is representing him and suggesting they go down this legal route to wriggle out of it? That party, maybe one of his promoters or Ward himself, are the ones I have lost respect for, and equally as guilty as Ward for trying to cheat any potential ban. I respect Ward the rider, I do not respect Ward the person. Had he held his hands up and took his punishment I would have gone some way to having more respect for the person. I don't blame Ward for this legal loophole cheating, I blame whoever it was that suggested they try and find a legal loophole. Who was that person? Ward himself? I doubt it.

It's funny I keep seeing this thread title at the top of the page, and I keep saying the same 'what future?'!

And your point is? The fact he is not top of the World Championship table suggests he is not the best rider in the world either!

Don't worry, they did not even update the cancellation of Saturdays GP! I had checked it Saturday evening when confused why I could not find the GP on Eurosport.

When it comes to defending the indefensible of Ward, what's new? It's newsworthy, so people will discuss. Don't like it, don't read.. simples.

You would have assumed his past 'episodes' would have done that... but alas not.

Over limit is over limit, end of. If he is under the influence of a substance, he is not 'marginally' under the influence is he? If it 'marginally' impacts on his split second decision making out on track then blanket punishment, regardless of the amount over.

Would that be for all league and GP racing do we know?

NP was hard sometimes going over the line but generally hard riding, just as Gollob used to be. That's why they are world champions.

If that did happen, then whilst very unprofessional I guess they did the right thing by not turning up to ride.

To be fair, I think Matt Ford was fairly critical the other winter when he got into trouble, it was Middlo who should have been critical but actually tried to suggest it was childish high jinks. Of course I am not sure what goes on at his other clubs, if they are taking a hard line.

Really? Where was that Gavan?

*toys out pram time* - Do you support Liverpool too? You need to take those Darcy Ward tinted glasses off. Try looking at from the bigger picture. Do you have kids? What if your kid was racing on track and taken out by a rider who was under the influence of a substance? Would you still be defending him then? I agree with your words Phil, but I don't think any of us have been rejoicing (well maybe the odd Coventry fan) but most of us all agree with you, it is a shame we will be denied the privilege of watching him race. I hope someone on the flight actually told him how silly and stupid he had been. I don't say that to cause him further problems, but I think someone in the sport he respects needs to tell him that. Actually, I think your stance is amongst the worst on the thread the way you are blindly defending him. His problem could well be that he surrounded himself by too many people like you over the years.

What I find disappointing is the few individuals defending this latest failing seem to be mainly Poole and his former club Kings Lynn fans, very reminiscent of Liverpool and how they defended Suarez for his racism and Chelsea biting incident, failing to see what the rest of the world could see, a brilliant talented individual that was flawed. Personally if Ward is given a ban, I would also like to see him be offered support too in the form of counselling, if that is what is needed.

Even if you are right, time and time again Ward as given them exactly what they want with his failings (mainly off-track). However, this thread is full of people talking about his talent and how they love to watch him ride, but that is not enough to turn a blind eye. So blame people all you want Puggy, ultimately there is just one person to blame.

I hope so. Ward is clearly not capable of learning himself, so I hope someone, even another rider did tip the authorities off and maybe others actions on his behalf will now force Ward to learn. We can live and hope.

Are you for real? All these incidents involving the same individual, and all these sycophants trying to excuse them in some way or another. At some point when do you want to join the dots and work out that the more people excuse these behaviours, the more the transgressor (to use your word) will continue behaving this way. But to use your comment, and judge SOLELY on this incident, if you get into your car and fail a breathalyser test, try using that excuse to the judge. You would be laughed out of court, and with luck banned from driving for a long time. I don't know what is considered a standard ban for this type of offence, but one assumes racing when drunk or stoned is, or should be rather stern. As for me, nope I am not perfect, but I have never got behind a wheel drunk or turned up for work drunk.

You do realise in many places of work that would be a sackable offence?

Churlish? It is people like you that keep making excuses for his bad behaviour why Ward thinks he can just keep doing what he wants. Whatever ban is deemed fitting needs handing out, even if it does rob us of a great talent on track, be that one meeting or the rest of this season or into next season.

Middlo is clueless. There is no 'But..', if he has had a few drinks then Ward should not be on a motorbike on road or off road and certainly not racing. It goes back to what I said earlier, too many people make excuses for Ward every time, and that is why this behaviour continues.

I did wonder that too, and to be honest, maybe if that did happen that person as done the best thing for Ward long term.

Without knowing the full story I will reserve judgement, but based off his past problems I can't help feeling if this, is as reported, he had a load of drinks then shame on him. Equally, I think all those Poole sycophants, including Middlo who used to defend his past misdemeanours should ask themselves if they had come down harder on a younger Ward, would he still be making this silly stupid mistakes?

Lets see if Middlo try's to defend Ward for this one.

So how does he differ from Pearson spouting repetitive gobbledegook?

Disagree on Greg being hard to replace He is points consistent, but does he set GPs alight? No, sorry he doesn't do that.