Steve Shovlar

Disagree. NP is head and shoulders above the rest, with Crump a farly distant second. Riders like Holder could have come in and rustled a few feathers. Todays Echo. Holder misses out on GP place 12:31pm Friday 7th November 2008 By Phil Chard » PIRATES star Chris Holder has missed out on a Grand Prix wild card for next season. The permanent seeded places have gone to British duo Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris, alongside the Russian Emil Sajfutdinov and Fredrik Lindgren, of Sweden. There were no surprises with the selections, confirmed by the FIM Speedway Grand Prix Commission and BSI Speedway today. Particularly as Poole Castle Cover’s Holder had discounted himself because he feels he is not financially ready to compete in the World Championship series next year, preferring to wait at least another 12 months. Talking about the four picks, BSI managing director Paul Bellamy said: “The riders chosen as the permanent wild cards reflect the experience and emerging talent of speedway riders in the world. “Russia’s Emil Sajfutdinov is one of the sport’s hottest prospects at the moment and will be an exciting addition to the series. “At 19 years old he will be the youngest permanent rider in the 2009 series and already has an unprecedented two World Under-21 titles under his belt that underlines his flair and aptitude for the sport. “Sweden’s Fredrick Lindgren, who at 23 was the youngest rider in this year’s series, has shown great maturity and ability in his first season as a GP rider and is also widely recognised across Europe as one of the sport’s rising stars. “This year Scott made two finals and only just finished outside the top eight and an automatic qualification for the 2009 series, but his performances have shown he still has the commitment and drive to be world champion. “Chris, a GP winner in 2007, knows he needs to prove he is world class next year following a disappointing 2008 campaign but we all know that he has the ability to be a great rider.” GP race director Ole Olsen said: “The line-up for the 2009 GP series is a very exciting one. “The combination of the experienced campaigners versus the young pretenders will provide some thrilling racing as all 15 riders believe they are capable of winning GPs and ultimately the World Championship. “I believe next year’s series will be one of the most competitive seasons to date and we are looking forward to welcoming them all in 2009.” The full 2009 GP line up is N Pedersen, J Crump, T Gollob, G Hancock, H Andersen, L Adams, A Jonsson, R Holta, S Nicholls, F Lindgren, C Harris, K Bjerre, G Walasek, S Ulamek, E Sajfutdinov, event wild card in each round. Qualified substitutes: NK Iversen, T Jedrzjak, R Sullivna, JB Monberg, A Miedzinksi, J Pavlic. NEIL Middleditch believes it’s no “bad thing” Chris Holder has missed out on a permanent wild card into next year’s Grand Prix. The GP promoters have announced Scott Nicholls, Chris Harris, Emil Sajfutdinov and Fredrik Lindgren as permanent wild cards for the 2009 World Championship. So Holder missed out, most notably, as expected, to two-times World Under-21 champion Sajfutdinov, who relegated the Aussie into second place both times. Middleditch said: “I think Chris would have accepted it if they had offered him a place, but it’s not a bad thing he hasn’t got one. “He’s still young and can learn a lot more in the Elite League. It gives him a season to consolidate his position next year. “His schedule is pretty hectic anyway because he rides Sweden and Poland as well as England. “It might just have been a lot to take on this early in his career.” Asked what 21-year-old Holder would need to do to ensure he was ready for the GP in 2010, Middleditch said: “To qualify and if not he just has to consolidate his position, continue his form from 2008 to get a permanent wild card. “They (BSI Speedway) are trying to get pairs of riders in (from different countries) and they already have Leigh (Adams) and Jason (Crump) in there from Australia. “Having said that, I think Chris would be a great addition. He’s young, exciting and would have brought a lot to it. “But I don’t think it’s a bad thing. It might be a bit too soon for him. “I think he’ll most certainly be ready for 2010. If he continues riding like he has, I don’t think there is any way they could not choose him. “He has taken the Elite League by storm. No-one could have envisaged, average-wise, he would have done as well as he did for Poole.”

He has no chance. Polish fans would riot if one of their own isn't chosen over Holder. have to wait for 2010 and a wild card, or have more luck in the qualifiers.

A very embarressing day for British speedway and the GP series to include Chris Harris, who was completely out of his depth in 2008. I can't remember a single GP where he made a mark. His performances were no better than Richardsons. In fact Lee did a bit better. And considering bjarne Pedersen has been given the heave ho, and was 11 points in front of Harris and missed two GPs ( which if he had ridden in woould have probably qualified) shows how poor and off the pace Harris was. This is nothing more than a TV contract deal. Sky have probably got an agreement where there will always be two british riders in the series, no matter how rubbish they are. Let's be frank and honest here. Chris Holder is a class above Harris, but was born in the wrong country, where there are currently no GPs and no live TV coveregae from a TV station. If Aus had a live feed and a round, there is no way on gods earth that Harris would have been chosen over Holder. Noddy had a disaster in the qualifying round with two EF's while leading and an exclusion when he was nowhere near the rider. But that's the way his luck went that day. Hampel was unfortunate but with Walasek and Ulamek both getting back into the series, he never had a chance. a better rider than both but where was he in the rounds? So we have quite a few duffers in the series for 2009, but NP will walk it anyway. Just a shame riders of a high quality have to wait to get in.

Shocking and poor decision to give ne of the wildcards to Zagar, who just doesn't have what it takes and will the the Dryml of 2009. Whilst Holder has missed out, and said himself he isn't yet setup for the series, he is clearly a far better rider than Zagar and Lindgren. Still, Poole fans could look at it selfishly and say there will be no GP distraction for any of our riders in 2009. But even a under prepared Holder would have been better than a fully prepared Zagar!

No suprise. think its clear as daylight both Emil and Noddy will be two of the wild cards. Noddy has said he isn't ready but once given the "nod" will be more than happy to take it. Easily the best two youngsters in speedway at the moment. Nicholls and Lindgren are the likely other two.

Interesting thoughts of Team TRick. They might go with one but Lindback back in the GP's so quickly? Think he needs one more year out before he comes back in.

NO. One more IMO before he gets caught back wirth the pack.

Wouldn't consider Harris in a onth of Sundays. Completely out of his depth and sorry to see. that Cardiff win was clearly a fluke. I would go with one Brit in Nicholls. There isn't anyone else who can fill the second spot at the moment. Give it a coule of years and we might have but not for 2009. Give the extra place to a foriegner who can at least challege for some points.

Did you see Holder in last nights Polish final? He did Adams, the home rider, up like a kipper the two times they met.

I waited until now and its playing fine with no buffering. Excellent performance by Noddy. The GPs await this super talented youngster who had Adams twice in his pocket, once from the back.

Good idea KrisB. Why have a German no hoper in it in Poland? Will hardly have hundreds of Germans streaming over the border to support him. Smolinski is a reserve/second string at best. Let Holder have the ride and a prelude to what he might be able to do if included in next years series.

First and foremost the question must be asked, "What times does X Factor start"? Secondly, why on earth have the final meeting of the year at a country with no real speedway fans? Ticket sales would always be poor when there are no more than a handful of speedway fans in the country. Everyone who was going to be there tonmight was going to have to fly or drive in to this virtually unprenounceable place. The final meeting should be at Cardiff. A roof, a big prize and plenty of fans to watch the super prix. I went to the German GP at berlin a few years ago and the crowd was about 6-7000 at best. Made up of foreigners and a handful of Germans. BSI needs to dump the Germans out and bring in a round in Bangkok.

As others have said, what a cock up! Unfortunately the people who have travelled all that way to Germany don't have a leg to stand on with getting the hotel/travel expenses paid for. The writing was on the wall yesterday with cancelled practice. This has come as no suprise with the postponement a far better thing to do rather than start the emeting and have another fiasco like Gothenburg. Feel sorry for those that have made the trip out there though.

Pathetic ban. Really pathetic.

That's it by the sound of things.

Great way to leave thousands of speedway fans in the lurch by not finishing the meeting online.

Jesus whats all this crappy awful rock band nonsense?

Ok the reboot sorted it. Thanks

Not getting a thing. Jusst a blank page in ie. I'll try a reboot.

You have to pay to watch this? I can't find it anywhere. The mms link doesn't seem to work at all, and opens a blank ie page.

People need to realise that Walasek is a number one in Poland and not the same rider we see over here in the UK struggling around on a 5-6 point average. In Poland he is a serious force to be reckoned with. of course he won't make much of a dent in the GP series but he isn't as bad as many envisage. But Falcace makes some interesting points. It's very hard for a youngster to come in and compete at this very top level against the old boys. Not only have the oldies (Crump, Adams, Hancock, Gollob) got a great team in place but they also keep themselves safe and fit. They can go on for years at this level by playing their safe hands. For a youngster to step up and be consistent is almost impossible without hyge backing. Sure they can make a dent ( Lindback almost got there on a couple of occassions and should have won a GP at Daugvapils) but the amount needed to compete competitively throughout a whole GO season is far more than these young lads can possibly earn through points money alone. There are riders out there who do have the ability to make the breakthrough, but more than skill on a bike is needed. Holder is the obvious candidate but he has already said he just doesn't have the financial resources in place to compete in 2009. If offered a place I doubt he would turn it down, but he probably wouldn't do as well as he would lie with his gear and team stretched to the limit. Same goes for the other youngsters. Nicki Pedersen is dominating the series as much as TRick did a few years ago. There is no one in the current GP field who can live with him on a consistent basis, so he is realistically going to win the GP series at least two more times before he starts to slip back into the field/someone comes up to challange him. The days of a Michael Lee/boy wonder coming into the GP series and winning the WC are long gone. Consistency is king and to be consistent means a big back up team, lots experience, and lots of money. And only the old boys have that.

Sorry that isn't the case. Nicholls is not in the top 8 as yet so doesn't deserve it over the three that got in tonight. they are there by earning their place. nicholls is there because someone has let him have a place. If nicholls was there by right he would have been in tonights meeting, or in the top 8 at the end of the series.

But what if Poland suddenly had 10 of the best 15 riders in the world? Wouldn't make great viewing figures outside of Poland for BSI!! There has to be a nationality selection process, with a couple fo extra places available for riders of ability to slot in as well, which is non dependant on nationality.

Well the streaming lasted for me all the way through. hardly worth watching though. Track ultra slick and suited the guys with big fast engines. Plus of course it was Walaseks home track! For 2009: Bjerre Walasek Ulamek N Pedersen Crump Adams Gollob Nicholls Holder Andersen Hancock Jonsson Lindgren Pavlic Saifudinov wild card Time will tell of course.