Steve Shovlar

Two more Pirates in the GP series! Well done to Tom Chrzanowski for qualifying to the GP series!!! Another fantastic night for Poole fans. Shame about Floppy though. Looks like we can all cheer Andersens demise, though he certainly deserved to go through, whether or not we like the guy or his antics.

Well something happened to Andersen in the final, not sure if it was EF.

YYYEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!! Way to go Toninio!!!!!!!

From what I gather Povazhny was hashly excluded after making a good pass on Bjerre on the third lap. Bjerre fell, Race awarded.

What a facial end to the meeting. Andersen and Lindback should be the two that go through, end of story. It should be about what the riders do over the meeting, not a last ditch effort from riders that have been well beaten during the 20 heats. A rider on 8 points can qualify over a rider on 12 or 14. Where's the justice in that? Lindback has been brilliant and would be a fantastic rider to grace the GP stage. The GP needs the Lindbacks more than they need more PKs back again, and that's not meant as disrespect to a very good rider. Just hope lady luck shines on the Brazilian wonder boy.

Wish I had gone over for this one, should be a very exciting and cut-throat meeting. With only two qualifying, how is the format? Is is a straight 20 heat formula, or is there semis and a final?

Todays echo has this interview with Middlo. HANS ANDERSEN? More like Hans Christian Andersen. He's turned my World Cup fairy tale into a nightmare in which I will never forgive him. To get so close to glory and then be denied by a rider who shouldn't have been involved is something I am still finding difficult to deal with even 24 hours after a fantastic World Cup Final. The last heat should have been a straight match race between Scott Nicholls and Peter Karlsson, of Sweden. The fact Andersen and Poland's Tomasz Gollob were in the race was incidental. For Hans to then hold Scott on the line round the first corner, look over his shoulder, shut off the throttle to allow Karlsson to go past is an incident that will live with me forever. I have watched replays of the race several times and I find Andersen's after meeting interview that "his bike was spinning" very hard to accept. It certainly didn't seem to be "spinning" so much after Karlsson went past. Hans is a good young rider who has built himself a bit of a reputation of being fairly ruthless on track. And as a result his reputation normally would have seen him show Karlsson no mercy on the outside. If he had concentrated on winning the race, chances are Karlsson would have had to shut off on the outside of Hans, allowing Scott to manoeuvre an inside line on the Swede going into the third and fourth bend. The irony is that when Hans first came over to this country in 2001 as a teenage rookie rider he came and stayed with us in Sturminster Marshall for two years. I have taken his actions very personally. I couldn't even look at him afterwards. I can't ever imagine forgiving him for doing this to me, the rest of the British team and the fans. In the politest sense, you could say he is definitely off my Christmas card list! It's a shame I have to talk about a rider's negative attitude in a meeting and presentation that had so many positives. After leading the meeting for so long it's hard to believe that we missed out by one point. I would agree that every British rider was a hero this week. But it's so frustrating that we are the unlucky British heroes who just missed out again. The team deserve so much credit for getting so close. Mark Loram had a fantastic World Cup. Now that we are back to the four-rider race World Cup formula it's good to have him back on board. His presence was immense. Scott Nicholls has proved a great captain and was involved in the two big talking points which has left him feeling "what might have been". The fact he stopped in third place when he saw a red light was something any sensible speedway rider would do. He could not be faulted with his attitude throughout. I was delighted that Lee Richardson picked up his performance after a slow start. I was desperate for GB to get gold for Lee because he had been with me for all the previous World Cups when we had missed out and had never shirked responsibility. And what can I say about David `Floppy' Norris? He was the only one of Saturday night's squad without any previous experience of being a Poole rider and yet who would have thought it on his showing? Reputations mean nothing to Floppy. He's been a joy to have as part of the team. Handing the final place to Gary Havelock was a calculated risk. And in retrospect I feel I really put Gary on the spot in having to perform. Sadly I heard one or two jibes aimed at Gary from the terraces beforehand along the lines that he shouldn't have been part of the British side. Well, the boo boys silence was deafening by the end. Havvy rolled the clock back 10 years and pulled out a display of such courage and determination. We should not forget the part Joe Screen and Dean Barker - both squad members - played in the final. With me running around all over the place, I asked them to watch the gates, see who was doing what and they didn't let me down. My old mate John Davis was a knowledgeable asset to have in the pits too, even though he was wearing a dodgy t-shirt! I would also like to thank Benfield Sports International for promoting a wonderful competition, Poole Speedway for presenting a perfect showcase final after Eastbourne had laid the foundation. And, once again, to Robert Hawkins at North Haven Motor Cruising for letting us use his £1.5million boat on Friday to relax the boys before the final. And how could I ever thank the fans enough for the support shown throughout. Oh, and the Daily Echo for allowing me the platform to write my notes throughout a week in which we came so close to landing gold. Three weeks ago my cancer-stricken and speedway mad friend Nick Whiffen told me to go out and win the World Cup for Britain. That was the last conversation I had with him. He died a week later. I would have loved to have done it for Nick. But, alas, there's only one winner. This morning Sweden are still the World Champions because they scored more points than us.

I think the presentation of the SWC was top notch. The direction was sharper, camerawork better, interviews and guest excellent. Time to email Sky and tell them. http://www.sky.com/skycom/article/0,,90000...00.html#general There's a feedback button which you can leave a message to the sports editor, oe feedback@skysports.com Thanks Steve

What email address did you use? I would like to do the same. I thought all the broadcasts were superb, with excellent direction, interviews and camera work.

I can only repeat what has already been written already. I came away last night totally gutted, but also with a feeling of elation that I had witnessed a great week of speedway at the highest calibre, and that Team GB were the reason for it. The boys all done well and were led well by Middlo, who got the riders in the right frame of mind to outride themselves nearly all the way. Second may be the fiirst loser, but on this occassion the Team GB deserve all the praise that is being heaped upon them.

I have just watched in incident and Hans could have got himself out of jail so easily when being interviewed. All he had to say was, "I moved out of the way to allow both through to battle for the title". Of course we could argue that he should have just fluffed the gate if he wanted to do that, but Scott had gate one and didn't have much chance off that gate anyway. I was sitting next to Davey Watt in the grandstand and he said he would noty want to be in that race for love nor money. He said before the race that Scott had next to no chance off gate one, plus not only the stadium but the whole Sky TV viewers and the UK speedway community would be weighing very heavy on his shoulders and the pressure would be too much for most to handle.

Well first of all what a great atmosphere! A capacity crowd, decked out in Union Jacks and thousands of airhorns. A wall of sound. The track. Again excellent with more brilliant racing. By the way I hear that the stands on third and forth bends are remaining for the end of the season. So great viewing on the bends now as well. Team GB. Proud to be a Brit. Neil and the boys did themselves proud man for man. I am sure Middlo will pop in here tomorrow to see what the fans thought and man for man we are proud of the effort Team GB put out. (except Vincent Vega) I havent seen a TV replay of heat 25 but from the grandstand it looked like Hans Just let both Sweden and GB through to battle it out, staying out of the way. He didn't want to know. Totally gutted after heat 25. But after a few mins I was just proud our guys did so well. Now the future, and it's time to worry. British Speedway Promoters Association must act NOW. There are no youngsters coming throuogh so where will we be in 5 years time? Trying to qualify alongside Hungary and Italy? A plan needs to be put in place now. A youth policy like Sweden and Denmark have, otherwise we will never be in a position to get close for the foreseeable future.

Sorry VV but you are completely wrong, and I am not saying that as a Poole fan but as a Brit. Middlo is the best manager in the country. He has bought the best out of the side. He talks to the riders, brings experience, and has earned the respect of all the riders he works with. Tonight we were one point away from glory. If Nicholls hadn't stopped it would have been a runoff, and if Pedersen hadn't clipped Havvy we would have won. There was not a single person at Wimborne Road tonight calling for the managers head. We were all proud of him and the team.

What a load of crap. There were hardly any Swedish flags in the place. If you saw any they were from Sweden. I was in my union jack shirt and had a big Union Jack. Man for man Poole fans were supporting the Brits bar a handful at most.

Well the day has arrived and there is not a cloud in the sky! It's going to be a beautiful day, the weather is up to 26 degress this afternoon, so if you are having thoughts about coming down, waff down some food, drink that coffee, jump in the car and head for Poole. Bring those flags, horns, whistles, anything to make noise. It will be the day that Team GB show the speedway world what we are made of! BRING IT ON!

Pretty sure Block E is the end of the grandstand towards the first bend.

Mad Viktor becomes a legend!! Poole fan Viktor has gate crashed the Speedway World Cup! The Polish Poole Pirate fan is used by the Poole promotion as a translator, but has somehow managed to infiltrate the Polish SWC squad and has taken center stage! I watched the replay on Sky today and he had me in stiches! What a guy! As someone said, Walasek said three words and Viktor made a few sentances out of it. Hope we see more of him on Saturday.

He's bloody dirty, that 2 rides now where he has wiped out riders. 3 if you count the Adams incident but tht was just him being out of control. I don't think he's dirty, I have always thought that he never looks in total control of his machine, he bucks, rears and wobbles all over the place. He's dangerous, not dirty and very over-rated. Yes sure and you would never want him to ride for your team! Lindback is a very young but sensational rider who has the world at his feet and in the next two years will be challenging for the world title. Over rated? Never.

Well I have just got back from a fantastic nights entertainment. This one had it all, and at the very end justice was done. Got to say I couldn't belive the major cock up Meil Sttreet made when not using Adams as a joker ride half way through the meeting. If he had used it Astrailia would now be in the final. To use it in the last race was legal but left a dreaful taste in the mouth, only for it to fail and justice to be done. The crowd though was the smallest at Poole this year, about half the usual size. The fans that stayed away, or were priced out of a ticket, missed a feast of speedway action. Where do I begin? Andreas Jonsson. Blinding stuff and his wall of death ride was stunning. Kolodziej. Matt has got to sign him up now for next year. Brilliant stuff from the youngster. Gollob. The man is a legend and his ride in the final heat showed that at times he is the best rider in the world. Crump just had no answer. Team GB need all the support they can muster, and YOU are needed at Poole for an even better meeting in 48 hours time. I sat behind a group of Aussies that had come over to watch, and cheered loudly when Gollob won that final heat. I told them I wasn't shouting at the Aussies, but for the fact that they are allowed to use the joker in the final heat. It is a loophole in the rulebook that needs to be fixed before next year. No jokers in the final 5 heats please. And guess what, even though the meeting was great, we had the old blue groove on the first bend! As for Rob B, sorry mate but there isn't many tracks that would have produced such a great meeting.

Jason you should have got them from the POOLE Office. You would have got tickets in the grandstand by the starting gate instead of one of the bends.

Ruby Tuesday sorry you can't make it, though its a decidion of choice. I went to Sheffield a couple of years ago in the rain. Looks like the weather up there is going to be very wet with storms, while down here its hot and balmy. As for more people attending if it was held further north, I totally disagree. The place will be packed out.

Yes well done Middlo and the boys. Great team spirit again by the look of it and if the boys are in the mood on Saturday night, which I am sure they will be, then the SWC title is ours! Lets hope the British speedway community turn out in force to pack the place out and cheer Team GB on to victory!

Benfield have no grandstand tickets left. However, the Poole promotion still have some left in the grandstand just in front of the starting gate. These are prime tickets, so if you want one you will need to phone the speedway office (01202 681145) and book them, or ask one of the promoters tomorrow night. Both Matt and Mike I am sure will be able to help you if you are quick. I am pretty sure the tickets sold on the day and online are for the temp stands.

Just heard the long range forecast and it's great news. Tomorrow, Thursday for the playoff they are giving a dry warm day, 25 degrees, warm evening of 17 degrees, so no need for a jacket. Saturday they are giving as hot, sunny, 27-28 degrees in the day cooling to 17 degrees and dry all the way! So perfect weather to come down and watch the meeting. Perhaps not good conditions for track preperations though. And no I am not making excuses for the blue groove! I should imagine the beer tent will be working overtime! Forecast for Sunday and Monday is hot, 30 degrees and sunny all the way.

The place will be packed out on Saturday. I am guessing we may have a lockout for latecomers. If the weather is OK, the Poole fans alone will be out in force, especially with several pages a day on the event in the local Echo. Add to that it's peak holiday season, with tens of thousands of holidaymakers, and there will be queues around the block to get in. Why have it centrally when the fans can go to the beach in the morning then go the the SWC final in the evening? BRINGITON! UPTHE BRITS!