STEVEHOLS54

Nothing to do with Bowes fall out with Workington. Just don't rate the guy. Bases himself in POL. Just about to turn 24 and has ridden in POL since 2021 also in the POL U24 which he would not qualify for next year anyway. By example in 2025 he was 38th of 59 riders who rode the league regular and thats after 4 years riding POL and 2nd Lge of Swe. He may possibly ride to his 5.63 GSA but to me even that is because he rode against plenty of inferior quality riders to those in POL U24. At Poole he got 13 from 6 rides for Worky then 2 from 4 rides as a guest in late August. Can have his moments but I do question if he would be more suitable if others with more scope are available. I could be wrong of course and its just my opinion. I think his participation in POL could be in doubt as without POL U24 even his av in POL 2nd Div was 55th out of 59 regular riders from his 18 matches. Remember he has been in POL riding for 4 years not 1/2 years.

As said in earlier posts. Baiiey will be competing with 2 young up and coming Danes for at best a single slot in the team. This went under most peoples radar as the Regional Varde press release went out after all the hype put out regarding Bailey signing for them. The later release mentioned the other 2 young Danes plus mentioned that the 3 of them will be competing for one possible place in the team. For me Bailey who has just turned 16 is currently a level above both Cairns and Rushen although Rushen looks the real deal as an exciting racer with bags of potential not 16 until late March. Bailey on 4 points could well prove a real bonus if he dropped into reserve should Cairns improve (as we would expect) or Rushen (if signed) proves he is what many expect which is potentially the next exciting young Brit. Also if we retain Lawson/Rowe/Cook it leaves us with 5.89 points which leaves the option of signing a Young Euro/Dane rider who has done well in POL U24 league or a Zischke/Mcdiarmid. Just not Fraser Bowes PLEASE....... On Mcdiarmid already being mentioned on POL site that he could be their U24 overseas rider for 2026 in Leszno POL EXL Team. Not bad for a rider who only turns 18 in late March 26 off the back of his first season in UK. All this on assumption it is 2 leagues and a 40 point limit of course which none of us know for certain.

No i am not as don't have access to what he announced in full at the time. I think he may have even announced it as 18 month deals. All I know is he announced it as yet another Ford type headline grabber to indicate both were signed on the equivalent of 2 season deals. Of course as you say - If that means anything in respect of UK Speedway anymore. I sincerely hope that both are as both have hopefully bright futures with scope to improve. Assuming of course Will doesn't shoot up to 6ft 6 inches 🤣

Yes but 2 were announced. What I would call news is the announcement of a new rider who is not Lawson/Z.Cook. I expect Cooper Rushen who has been mentioned by a number as on his way to the South Coast - Plus and perhaps the likes of Morris/Zischke/Bailey (If his Danish dates don't clash), and that's even if he gets in the team bearing in mind he will also have 2 other promising up and coming Danes to compete with, which stayed under most peoples radar as the headline news was ore about Bailey joining Region Varde. Either that or another exciting young 5 pointer. Something similar to what Glasgow got with Nagel on 5 points, but one who could be relied on to turn up and not lose to DK every Wednesday.

If they do aqree to keep the 2 leagues, would they not then agree to keep the points limit as is in line with what Danny Ford said had been agreed after the last AGM for season 2026.. That must have been agreed you would think IF Poole had offered Cairns & Rowe 2 season deals.

Danny Ford already did before the 2025 season started. He announced on Social Media and in the Bournemouth Echo that both Rowe and Cairns had been signed on 2 season deals for 2025 & 2026 😀. Knowing how the Fords like to drag it out for maximum media coverage they will no doubt try to spread the remaining 5 over late Nov/Dec and Jan in the very least. I know the AGM is November but its incredible how the Poles & Swedes in most instances already have most or all of their riders nominated to ride in 2026 and that's before the POL window only officially opens & closes from 1st Nov until end Nov. Certain exceptions can run until Dec, but most teams have already been put out on Speedway news PL and Sportowe Fakty. They even seem to come up with UK Speedway news sometimes ahead of British Speedways site.

Not according to SPORTFAKTY. he scored 8 and 4 of those were for coming third in an A Final. The results show how poorly he performed on the small 200 metre track. Basically 8 points from 6 rides incl 4 for finishing 3rd of 4. Somewhat different complexion when viewed against your original comment. USA - 77: 1. Billy Janniro - 14+1 (2,0,1*,3,u,2,6) 2. Darren Armbruster - 9+3 (1*,1,2,1,w,1*,3*) 3. Broc Nicol - 22+1 (3,3,3,2,3,3,5*) 4. Timmy Dion - 7+3 (1,1,2*,1*,2*,d) 5. Chris Kerr - 18+1 (2*,3,3,3,1,2,4) 6. Daniel Faria - 7+2 (3,1,0.2*,0.1*) Rest of the World - 57: 1. Radosław Kowalski - 4+1 (3,0,1*,0,0,0,0) 2. Bartłomiej Kowalski - 12 (0,2,2,2,1,3,2) 3. Patryk Wojdyło - 22 (2,2,3,3,3,6!,3,0) 4. Bartosz Bańbor - 0 (0,0,0,0,-,0) 5. Fraser Bowes - 8 (w,3,0,0,-,1,4) 6. Wilbur Hancock - 11+2 (1,2*,1,1,2*,2,2)

As long as its not Bowes 😂. Chances are this guy will not be riding POL U24 (too old anyway) next season or in POL 3rd Div so no doubt would welcome riding UK. But not one for me. See no improvement on his 2025 GSA. He is a bang average rider who has gone nowhere in his career in 4 years riding in Germany - POL - and the Swe 2nd Div If it was Zischke - Bailey - Mcdiarmid or Morris - Now that's a different matter entirely.😉

I think with the young Danes its a case of loyalty to their home League and POL. The better ones are supported in DK and the team make ups mean they need to have at least 1 or 2 in their teams. Factor in riding POL o Sundays 9normally loaned out to lower Lge teams by their Prem Extra Leage Teams and up to 2025 also the Tuesday POL U24 Extra League matches meant that UK Champ sides who ride on a Wed or Sat (i.e Poole/Worky) cannot be accommodated in their schedule. Of course if the POL U24 make up changes as rumoured in 2026 to mainly Juniors (or more young Poles), then it may throw up some interesting opportunities for UK Clubs. The question then becomes how many UK Teams have the money or want to invest in having them fly in and out of UK. Most of them would come in a a 5 point av having raced in POL or DK Leagues. Except Bailey in his first season 2026 on a 4 as will only just turn 16 end March 2026. An intriguing question that also raises its head with the exciting Beau Bailey who is one of 3 very young riders (1 Aussie and 2 Danes) who have just been announced to fight out taking the minor junior roles at Danish Premier side Regional Varde in the last couple of days.

The full article indicates he had several offers in DK but Varde fitted in well with his other commitments in Europe next season. In Varde's own release directly below Bailey's it stated that he is also expected to sign a contract in POL for 2026. Suppose the question may be whether he will even do the UK with other Continental Meetings such as SGP2 qualifiers etc. Hope he does follow the well trodden path of UK as so many of his compatriots have. Doesn't bode well for Poole I suppose considering we have no idea of next season League structure or fixture list. That's assuming they were even considering him of course. Can still hope of course as he is one very bright and exciting talent.

The Danes operate a squad system though, so you could have a 7/9 rider squad (that was squad sizes in 2025) for a 5 rider per team meeting. Also factor in they must have a certain number of Danish riders participating in each team/match. Danish riders are more likely to miss Wed than an Australian Junior rider in his first season imo. The Bailey comment I made was based on rumours that were put on the Forum a few times. There seemed a level of confidence at the time (similar to what we saw when Cairns was signed months before it was made official). Pirates of Poole in response to my post stated he has heard the team will look more different in 2026 and said "very exciting". Is he in the know or is it conjecture ?? Also was the comment in regards to the team in 2025 or in reply to my post on team idea for 2026. We know Rowe & Cairns have 2 year deals so they are signed. One would expect Lawson as an asset is nailed on ?? and according to you Z.Cook is going nowhere. Is Rushen signing/signed already. That would leave 2 either Bailey and another or 2 new ones. Personally not a lot of who is on the Greensheets at the available points left excites me. Zischke has a lot of potential upside. No doubt the Fords have it in hand and have their preferred option already mapped out.

Going to throw this one out there for Poole 2026 IF the Lge stays in its current format which is obviously open to question in view of comments/rumours going around. Riders with 2.5% Brit reduction applied where applicable Lawson 9.58 Rowe 7.38 (already signed for 2026) Z.Cook 7.34 (or if not returning for any reason such as doing what his brother did with Prem/Swe/POL) if not Morris 6.86 (Morris easily good for another 1.5 points per meeting on his GSA) B.Bailey 4.00 - arguably the most exciting young Aussie coming through who will only be 16 next month when season finishes. Cooper Rushen 2.00 - Arguably the best British Talent coming through alongside Cairns and only 16 in March Cairns 3.81- Comments above and already signed like Rowe for 2026 This leaves 5.89 which Tate Zisch would comfortably fit into at 5.76 although one Lge match to go. Worth pointing out that prior to his almost career ending crash in 2024 (his first season in UK after an injury stopped him coming here in 2023) where he crashed badly in his first meeting for B.Vue after scoring 3 plus 1 bonus from 3 completed rides. He rode 12 meetings that season for Worky at an av of 6.96 or 7.70 incl BP and his home av was 9.38 or 10.31 incl BP from 6 meetings prior the injury. This season he has tailed off somewhat but having missed most of 2024. Was always going to be a case of feeling his way back. His 2023 injury and the really bad 2024 one was enough to put anyone back. But he was only 20 in July and has bags of potential. Anyway that's my thoughts for 2026 IF this remain as is on points limit and Lge structure.

I find it frustrating that a site such as Speedway News PL openly releases articles regarding Speedway in UK that sites such as SPEEDWAY GB seem more keen to keep hidden from the general Speedway Public. For example today I read that Sheffield Promotors are selling up partly due to the ongoing pressures of running Speedway in the Prem Lge. I wonder who would be willing to invest considerable time and money in a Club & Lge where the number of clubs is shrinking with little in the way of profit to be made. Second article is from yesterday where Oxford Promotor amie Courtney commented among other comments the flwg: British speedway is about to enter a new era ," Courtety told club media. " With this in mind, I can confirm the disbandment of Spires after the match against Leicester. 'Cheetahs' is the traditional name of the Oxford club, and our fans want us to retain it next season. Therefore, the Oxford Cheetahs and Chargers will travel to Sandy Lane ." It's important to note that we're sticking with the Cheetahs name. The Spires closure is likely linked to the league merger, so Oxford will continue to compete, but they're sticking with the historic name.

I think Nick Morris would be a steal for Poole in 2026 at his current GSA as of 1/9 at 6.62 or even his British Speedway 2025 av of 6.76 from 7 matches since his return from that long ban. His finishing GSA for 2023 (his last season before ban) was 8.82 for Birmingham. he has been riding himself back to fitness and his current GSA is arguably 2 points below his potential and still only 31. I reckon he will be in demand but being Southern based (Swindon way ??) he will be in demand. Saying that probably find that Oxford will go for him if they keep current format in Champ in 2026.

Certainly hope not and puzzling to see why he has been added to the field. A 24 year old who has not been able to secure a POL regular team spot.Now shunted out to Landshut in POL 3rd Div where he achieved the 42nd best av from 10 matches and 38 rides with an av of 1.158 points per ride = 4.632 per 4 rides. That's less than the 5 point GSA he would get in UK. Definitely one to swerve IMO. I believe that this is the last season of the POL U24 league as it's been costing POL Clubs too much money to run with little in way of crowd support. There is an immense amount of young U24 riders in this league who will be looking for clubs in 2026 with rumours that some will be looking to ride in UK now that this regular Tuesday race day league will no longer be running. KJP also rode in that Lge and was 31st best in what would have been his last year this year anyway at 24. I suppose not harm giving him a run out tut honestly think there must be much better options from the pool of excellent talent in that Lge willing to look at UK for 2026. Just my opinion.

Do you mean with being led by Lawson- Rowe (already signed) - maybe Cook and then youngsters Cairns (already signed) - Rushen - Beau Bailey - Maybe Zischke if Worky doubts persist, but his GSA is borderline if we could accommodate should Zach stay, in which case maybe one of those many exciting European 5 point youngsters if the Fords want to invest.

Tate Z would be 1 point to high on points available if it is Lawson/Rowe/Zach Cook/Cairns/Bailey (4) and Rushden. I calculate 5.88 left. If that's the case cant see anything that excites at that kind of level based on latest GSA's. Glasgow have shown there are exciting Overseas youngsters out there on a 5 and Nagel has shown that and could well be their title winner. It's whether the Ford's want to dip in their pockets to help finance one of the many good ones who would be interested.

Can someone confirm if the Final GSA for Team building in 2026 is based on what it is after the final league meeting in the regular season and before the play off's. That would mean Poole Teams Final GSA's for this season will be known on the 20th Aug after the away match at Oxford. Is my understanding correct ?

Will's GSA now down to 3.74 after 7 matches. That will do nicely if the GSA AV only cover matches in regular League season (i.e 16 maches). There are 3 matches left (1 hone - 2 away) so with Poole comfortably inplay offs and good chance the would be top. I would suggest Will is told to just enjoy getting track time & experience in those 3 matches and not push it. We could in effect see him nearer 3 than 4 which for team building 2026 would be a bonus if you factor in possible Rushen 2 - Bailey 4 plus Will on maybe 3.50. In effect 9.50 points for 3 of the brightest young talents in the sport. That would leave approx 30.5 for the top 4. Lawson 9.5/9.75 - Rowe 7.75/8(maybe lower as he is riding partly injured) - Cook or another 7.35/7.5 pus a rider maybe up to 5. You would expect Cairns to push on an add to his expected closing 2025 GSA and as for Rushen & Bailey ?. Well who knows but expect more upside in than their combined current GSA's.

By the way no criticism of Cairns. Still only recently turned 16 but the hype was like that of Robert Lambert when he first started racing in Lge speedway. Unfair but no surprise considering his form in junior racing and the backing from his family in equipment - overseas travel - overseas racing, and coaching in Sweden and USA from Greg Hancock. Things that a lot of young Brit riders don't have access to.

Think Poole have a bit of a conundrum here thinking of 2026 and regarding young Will Cairns. Thought I read that Champ had agreed a 2 year deal on Champ staying at 40 point limit (sure i saw it from an interview with Danny Ford after last annual Promoters meeting. If this the case then we have Poole sitting on current GSA 41.81 and that's with Will's 2.00 GSA. According to Brit Speedway stats he is on 4.15 from 6 meetings so for sure that will increase the team total. Poole have 4 league meetings left that will make up the final GSA for this season if they only take lge meetings into account and don't take play offs for the final GSA's for 2026. Poole it's safe to say are already in play offs, and possibly will top table. If this is the case what do they do in planning for 2026. I'm sure they would like to keep Will at reserve next year (as he and Rowe already signed deals for this and next season). Do they ask Will (in particular) and Anders (clearly riding injured still) not to push to hard in those last 4 matches ?? Any thoughts ??. Also any thoughts on trying to sign Southern based Cooper Rushen (who expressed a preferenceto sign for a Soutern Club) to partner Will at reserve for 2025. Saw some comments about him maybe already signed on the forum in last 2 months but that went quiet. Cooper for some rated more exciting and maybe better long term prospect than Will ??. Would that leave us exposed at reserve or can we really expect o see Cairns push on in 2025.

Thanks for that info Clive. I noticed in various videos on Youtube incl a lot of practice meetings/practices up and down the Country his dad was prominent in guiding him on the track. Maybe he doesn't want too much pressure piled on him this early bearing in mind he only turned 16 in November. If he does start to show the class & form I saw early signs of riding at 15 he could have a good future in the sport. He possibly hasn't had the kind of finance piled on him like Will Cairns has in equip and all the overseas trips to POL etc plus all the private tuition staying at Greg Hancock in Sweden and USA from his I assume affluent parents, but that is neither Cairns or Springers faults. However Sonny's dad certainly seems to have invested plenty of time in getting & guiding him around the UK for practice and other matches. Will be interesting to see how both riders progress but if Springer does I would love it if Matt/Danny could tie up both of them on multiple year deals. Time will tell 🙂

Maybe I've not seen enough of him other then a few video clips. We can all get it wrong when we look at videos of only a few rides. I remember a 23 year old Ben Cook arriving in 2021 and based on some of his Aussie form, I was very sceptical and thought he would be out by the first GSA's before he had even ridden for Poole. How wrong I thankfully was 🙂. The guy deserves his chance so good luck and hopefully he can score a few points

You really expect anything else from Danny Ford ?? Can't see how you can compare a what will be 25 year old with at least 6 years experience in NDL to a raw young what was 15 year old in his first season at NDL level. Anyway the deal is done - Danny is happy and its only temporary until Cairns. The bigger question on the likes of Springer future will no doubt unfold over 2025.

But IF Springer really improved this year and stepped up a level you could possibly tie up one of the UK's top prospects on a 2 point GSA who could easily achieve 3/4 points per meeting in 2026. That surely is a positive team move. I look at Springer and how he performed at 15 against Foord (nearly 3 years older with more experience) in some races, then I saw a rider who could be better than Vinnie when he reaches 17/18. Remember he was only 16 last November. Having said that I am sure many promoters will be monitoring young Sonny's performances this coming season and will be alert to signing him if he does progress. Just feel we could have got a head start if had had signed until July.