Steve Shovlar

Again classic speedway action tonight and Gollob yet again the star of the show. Big well done to him, and also KK for getting second spot! NP could have taken a tumble in the final but it would have been a risky call which more than likely he wouldn't have got. Excellent racing all night and luckily no serious injuries. The horrendous pileup of Hampel, Andersen and Pedersen could have ended the season for all three but for the safety fence. Glad to see Lindback getting stuck in and even getting a race win. the confidence will return and I am sure in 2008 we will see the best of Antonio. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Anyone got any idea when next years event is going to take place? I started a new wedding video business last year and I am now getting inundated with bookings for 2008. Problem is I want to keep the British GP date free. Had a lady this moring wanting to book June 21st. Had to put her off at the mo, but don't want to lose a booking when the event isn't on that day.

And once practice had taken place and the riders had realised their times were a second slower than the other teams, what would you expect them to do? TeamGB were never realisically going to do anything last night and so it proved. Middlo could be the best manager in the world bt that wouldn't have changed a thing. The riders have only themselves to blame for their performances. That is how good they are and nothing will change that.

How can you critisize the manager for the riders bikes not being fast enough. He would have told them, and they would have known, that they needed very fast bikes. Kennett said last week he had a bike especially prepared for the track by Michael Lee. Trouble is it wasn't fast enough, by a margin.. The manager doesn't tune the riders bikes. You have to blame the riders for this. As for the raceoff, well we wouldn't have gone through to the final. The fundemental flaw in the WTC is that the runoff is at the same track as the final, give a hige advantage to countries that ride on the track competitively 48 hours earlier. This needs to be changed for next year. Have the runnoff at a nearby track, but not the track of the final. OK it saves money but by riding the runoff at another track, it would attract different local fans. And it really needs to be done. Some on here think running the speedway team is the same as running a football team. It couldn't be more different. WTC is still individual racing. They are out on the track on their own.

Sorry Sandie I think you have this wrong. Exchange the name Middlo and replace it with Harris, Nicholls and Richardson. They let us down big time. If they don't want to ride for TeamGB then there are dozens of young lads who do. Their efforts were pathetic and what could Middlo do other than to gee them up before a race. It's down to the riders to race, and they didn't. Only they are to blame.

Anyone notice what Adams said when interviewed at the end? "I decided to stay out of it" ( or words to that effect about heat 25) Shame Andersen didn't do the same at Poole when he helped cost Team GB the title. What comes around, Hans, goes around.

If you thought tonight was not good entertainment, you would be best advised to follow another sport.

I think the Poole promotion and Middlo were very disappointed when Eddie said he wasn't going to try for the GP series. It would have been a huge experience for him even if he failed to qualify, but Eddie said he wanted to concentrate on the U21 final. Basically all the other teams were a few miles an hour faster than our boys. To blame Middlo is ridiculous. If a brit gated he was at the back within a couple of laps. Is that Middlo's fault? The fault stems from years of not having a CL and little in the way for British youngsters to come through. At least we are now starting to see the benefits of the CL with great new talent begining to emerge.

Dave there's nothing wrong, just using the same excuse the Poles did to give the reserves a runout once both countries were out of the running. Neither Kennett or Holder fell off or were involved in any incident that I noticed.

Come on Pinstripe it's very unfair to call Kennett, Allen and Stead pathetic. These guys are only reserve/second strings in the EL. How the hell can they go to a track they have hardly, or never ridden before, and compete with the very best riders in the world, who are GP stars, and expect to beat them? To start dissing our young riders is hugely unfair. They were obviously going to be lambs to the slaughter tonight, but we were in the final and Sweden were not. I bet Swedish fans would have swapped with us any day to have had their team there tonight. So rather than slag of TeamGB, get behind them, regardless of how poorly they did tonight, because better days will happen sooner rather than later.

He battled well but Boycey wanted to give Schlein a runout.

Why should you be worried? You don't even support TeamGB.

As for the Brits, well looking at the lineup nothing could have been expected from Kennett and Stead, but the main problem was the experienced riders of Richardson, Nicholls and Harris all failed to turn up tonight to keep the score respectable. Harris in particular was drwadful. 3 points from the GP winner was a very poor show. Way too fast a track for the youngsters, who just don't have fast tracks like that in the UK. It was blistering out there and the GB boys were left standing. I wish there were tracks like this in the UK but doub't we would ever see one.

Come off it once the Aussies and Brits were out of it they let the reserves have a ride. Long way to go and get kitted up for zero rides. Let them have a taste. IMO the reserve should be able to come in anyway if a rider is off form.

Well you shouldn't worry you carry on being a traitor.

What a cracking meeting and well done to Poland in a magnificient WTC. Really enjoyed the meeting with stunning races. Great advert for the sport in general. Nice to see Nicholls get one over Hans in the last heat to make sure Danmark failed.

The words " Chris Louis" and Motivation of riders" don't really sound right in the same sentence.

Perhaps it's because I see his work week in week out and know he is the best speedway manager in the country. The riders all say the same so what do you or I know?

Vincent Vega you disappoint me. I was expecting you to post this 30 miutes earlier. So the riders are completely outclassed and it's Middlo's fault. Right. So super motivation of the riders by another manager would have picked up how many extra points? Its not like football with tac moves. It's up to the riders to mix it. Unfortunately ours are not on the pace.

And if Team GB did it? Come on its hardly cheating. Usual tactical move any team would have done.

Sad to see unfortunately. The pace is just too hot for the guys and you can see the frustration and disappointment on their faces. Expected us to finish last but our inexperience is clear to see. Even Harris is being brushed aside like a novice tonight. So what chance Eddie, who started 2007 as basically a reserve? Our time will come, but it will take a couple more years.

Do you get Poles or Danes or Swedes supporting GB? No of course not so why should some Brits support other countries other than their own? Disgraceful IMO.

Agree. Any Brit not supporting TeamGB tonight is a traitor to their country.

It goes without saying that Eddie is going to find it very tough tomorrow night. Stead should also find picking up points difficult. But I just hope that the fans don't start slagging him off and giving him a hard time if he doesn't do well. Being realistic if we make the rostrum we would have done extremely well and looking at the opposition nearly every rider has more experience and a higher average than Eddie and Simon Stead. The experienced gained though will be of benefit in years to come for both riders.

Having watched it again I was a tad too harsh on her. It was her "matter of fact" attitude which got my goat. As I said I am not a fan of the Gabby Y style of presenting. She is better looking than Heuwen!