STEVEHOLS54

IF Bowes could be out for up to 8 weeksw where does that put Poole in regards to replacement/s. Are Cairns & Cairns allowed to cover that whole period, if not for how long. Read on Google AI that a pierced lung and fluid on the lung can clear in as little as 2 weeks but that would seem maybe unrealistic if you are planning to race again so quickly after the injury. Then there is his back. I wonder if it is a long period, would Bailey maybe reconsider UK bearing in mind he is not getting many opportunities overseas. His DK Team only used him for one match so far seemingly giving preference to home talent Villards Pedersen. Even in last nights postponed match after Bewley's seriour injury. His POL Team Grudiatz havent seen fit not to include him in their first team again favouring more local young riders. That only leaves their U24 Team where they have only ridden 2 matches in the new 4 team U24 format on Tuesdays. He rode in both. I wonder if a combo of Cairs/Rushen for as long as possible or for a while and a later introduction of Bailey would be possible. In a way I feel for Bowes but you have to question how he is having so many crashes in Aussie/UK. Could be bad luck. So frustrating as well considering how well he rode in those 2 races up to the point of his latest fall.

I do but not every article printed over Speedway PL and Sportowefakty daily. Thanks for clarification which explains why. At least gave him a chance to get some more laps on a bike. I wonder how long the eye injury will keep him out.

I have openly stated I am not a Bowes Fan. However would be wrong for me to start any conspiracy theories. Poole said on their site yesterday injury occured which working on his bikes in the workshop. Not been a great 5 months of 2026. Had 2 crash injuries before UK started and now this.

Poole mention on a FB post that RR in place due to an eye injury. Seen nothing mentioned elsewhere. I also thought he was due to ride in his first POL match for his new team but that didnt happen although maybe more to do with not enough time for logistics and getting equip over in time.

Newman yes but not so sure on Bowes. In theory it should help increase his GSA. If we get to that stage then it may well be a question of money as I get the feeling the Ford's won't want to pay for a foreign rider/youngster to come over with all the associated costs involved. Not in the Champ with less money involved in the sport. Problem is of course is if they stay with Bowes and his GSA does not get back to above 5 at reserve then they have kind of snookered themselves on a decent replacement. Hopefully his POL signing late this week will give him more laps to improve confidence but in all honesty I remain to be convinced. Just hope I am wrong.

I don't have the inside track for contacting the Ford's. On the other hand Clive you do as a sponsor and reasonably well connected to them for many years. I'm happy for you to pass it on. It's not that I don't like Fraser and nothing to do with what happened at Workington end of last season. I just base on analysis of his scores in Poland over 4/5 years where you would have expected improvement to secure a place in one of the POL 3 leagues. You have to ask the question why he hasn't. I assume the guru's over there must have analysed his performances statistically just I can as a fan. I hope he does improve. I wonder what Matt & Danny will do after the next 4 meetings when I believe the first real GSA's come out and if his GSA is below or well below 5.42. Unless of course they feel he may do better at reserve once Rushen or Cairns go above him on GSA's.

I am all for giving half decent riders a chance but was against Bowes signing even when he was only rumoured as going to Poole in the close season. I also gave reasons for my concerns. This guy rode Poland for 4/5 years yet his form went backwards looking at his POL U24 form and POL second Lge scores. I would say to the degree that if was had not reached the over age liimit for this this season he probably would not have been offered a berth and his 2nd Div Team didnt want him back, with the team manager having been angry at his end of season performance. No team made an offer other than a POL team who I believe may not have even come to the tapes in 2026. You would think his scores in the U24 would have shown a steady improvement over the seasons but looking at them there was none over the seasons culominating with a poor 2025. Even Mitchell Cluff was above his 2 swasons running. I have seen nothing to show me he is an improver but I would love to be proved wrong. Yes he has some decent scores last year to achieve a 5 point GSA with Workington , but if he perform as he did over 4/5 seasons in Poland then I would not be surprised to see a lot more down scores than up. His scores are available in the statistics pages on POL U24 and POL Sportowe Fakty site.

Last GSA in 2024 was 5.51 or 6.29 incl BP. (so he fits) Still only 20 and will ride in POL U24 and in POL Lge 2 in 2026, Better rider imo than Bowes or Hook and still improving. Smart move if the Fords could convince him and Middlo can offer him a place to stay. His POL Exl side gave him a 5 year contract when he first went there which is saying something.

I get the impression he turned down Poole offer due to his commitment to developing in POL & DK. We have to remember he is not only in Grudiatz U24 team (Tue) but is also named as one of the U21 Overseas riders for the main POL EXL side (Sundays) as well as riding DK on a Wed which they can drive to. Maybe at recently turned 16 they don't want to overload him flying in and out of UK on different days of the week and especially DK which may prejudice his team selection (Wed) and let's be honest its a much stronger Lge than UK Champ. If he progresses as I forsee he has a big future and only right he should develop amongst the best riders and in the U24 the best young riders. We may have to see such talent miss UK anyway as from 2027 the POL have changed the rules again allowing only ONE addl Lge outside of the POL EXL. For sure in almost all cases it will be POL and SWE or DK, especially as they can drive compared to having to fly. So Tue (POL U24) - Wed drive to DK and then drive back for POL (Sun). I am also excl all the SGP 2 qualifiers and meetings which nearly all on the Continent plus other Indiv meetings he may pick up if he shows his obvious talent.

Going to be interesting to see where they would fill that hole from what is left available. Don't think the Fords would be happy to invest in a recognised overseas talent now they are in Champ. Not that many would want to take Champ money and a strict wage policy that the Fords have allegedly. Hopefully that question will be answered before Xmas.

Yes - But its opinions which helps keep the forum going 🙂. Its difficult to criticise the Fords with what they have achieved with Poole over the years. However that doesn't mean we have to agree with their chosen teams prior to season starting. At least expressing an opinion cultivates healthy discussion on the Poole Forum. Especially in the dank miserable winter close season 🙂

It's certainly not helped having to lose 4.53 from last seasons team. I would love to be proved wrong but must admit I have concerns compared to the likes of Glasgow - Redcar - Oxfords expected like up and even others. A strong home form is so important for the League BP and I feel we may not have that compared to last season and that could cost us over 2 legs as well as probably losing many away. (Just my opinion). I'm not convinced on Bowes who in effect has failed during his 4 years in POL. Giles is potentially a risky just over 4 with a history of injuries - Kerr can be wildly inconsistent as his lower GSA evidenced last season. Cairns has had the privelage of having an affluent family to finance his racing overseas as well as trips to Hancocks homes in SWE & USA for private tuition. Didn't quite have the effect I hoped last season in UK or POL U24 but he is only 16 but certainly not shown me he he has Baileys class by a long way. Rushen is definitely a racer but not 16 until end of March. Maybe he will progress quicker than Cairns and is an exciting racer. Hopefully those 2 reserves will progress quickly and who knows, we may see both Gilkes & Bowes at reserve at some stage. Anyway hopefully Rocketman - Cook - Cairns & rushen will give us plenty to cheer in 2026. Anyone else will be a pleasant bonus.

So they have gone for Dan Giles, A rider who seems to excite Danny Ford who has been looking at him for some time. Bearing in mind that it is his home form which will be mainly scrutinised lets see how Gilkes has performed at Poole in the last 4 seasons. 2025 - 1 match - 4 rides - av 5 points 2024 - 3matches - 12 rides - av 4.00 points 2023 3 matches - 12 rides - av 3.33 points 2021 - 1 match 4 rides - av 2.00 points Last complete season in Champ was 2021 . Maybe it was his Rising star av in Prem that showed more potential: 2025 - 2 matches - 4 point GSA 2024 - 27 matches - 2.93 GSA 2023 - 21 matches 3.57 GSA Bonus points not incl. I am pretty certain he won't score anywhere near what Bailey would have scored but unfortunately he is not coming. Lets hope it is Rushen & Cook as we will need them.

Just for a bit of fun while we await our last 3 riders. IF Rushen & Cook signed would leave 4.87. Noticed on the 2 POL sites last 2 days that Slater Lightcap - 20yr old American has signed for Falubaz for their U24 squad along with Cairns for 2026. Going to be based in POL. He did some testing in POL in 25 and came over here for a short trip in 2025 doing some practice at Sheffield & Glasgow. Seems rated by Hancock and has improved steadily over the last 2/3 seasons in USA. Not having raced in Europe Lges would assume would be on a GSA of 4. Knowing Middlo normally has accommodation available, maybe not beyond the realm of possibilities maybe as the likes of Bowes did POL (2 Lges) - Swe & UK in 2025. The POL U24 race normally on Tue. Anyway just a thought and maybe worth above a 4 in the Champ if he is improving.

Think my best description/opinion would be a 2 year younger version of Fraser Bowes, but with possibly more scope to improve. His POL U24 stats show he was 42nd of 59 regular riders in 2025 and has raced there for 2/3 years. could have some potential and seems to have a decent racing style. Still will be only 22 in Feb 2026. Did some practice laps at Poole 2/3 years ago when on a flying visit. If he signed would in fact be on a 5 (I think) due to his POL U24 riding. Could be a half decent signing helped by his experience in Poland. As a footnote - Was a fortunate winner of the Aussie U21 title in 2023 when he won the final on default after Rew/Zichke & Ryan Harrison were all excluded from the final after crashes/exclusions. Still a winner is a winner but Lady Luck was for sure on his shoulders that day