21st century heathen

Oh crap - I'm thinking the same as SC.

I'm thinking along the lines of many of the comments already posted. Crump is clearly the man to beat, but he's not unbeatable. I'd love to see Greg do it again, obviously, but I think another podium would be a major result for him as he is now of an advanced age. Hans is now truly world class, and will challenge. If you add his average number of points scored for the GP's he missed last year, he'd have been hanging on to Crumps dirt deflector. He's got a genuine chance. AJ could be a spoiler this coming season. He was more consistent last year, and surely he must go on to win more GP's. He couldn't be another Adams, could he? Speaking of Leigh, I think he'll be in and around the top 5 all season. The pattern seems set for Leigh now though. He just seems to lack a real killer instinct when it really matters. He'll take vital points off the other top boys, and this may just help Crump. Gollob is not the threat he was, but in Poland is certainly is. He could win there, and I believe that Bjarne also has a GP win in him next season. Again, they could be vital dropped points for the title challengers. That brings me to my tip. If Crump doesn't win it I think Nicki will take a second world title. He had a dip last season with his wrist/arm problems, but if he's fully fit he's right up there with Crump, Hans, and Greg.

Both Martin and Christian have shown that they have the ability to do well in our league. Granted Martin is in his second year over here, but that's not the biggest advantage in the world. Riders often find that the second season is harder than the first, and Martin has consolidated his good first season. His has a few knocks along the way, and a few bikes problems. His true ability was shown last week when he was the best rider on show. If he has good equipment next season I can see him gaining an average over 6 points. Christian has done what Martin did last year. A good solid start to his career in Britain, although he's tailed off in the league. He has shown enough to prove that he has the potential to do very well. Both clubs (and fans) are likely to remian faithful, and give them another year. Remember also that they are both very young riders. If I were a Wolves fan I would have to wonder where Christian's league form had gone when compared to his two recent showings in individual matches. Has he been looking for an average drop? He should be congratulated for his achievements, but surely there is a slight question mark there? When was the last time there were two young Germans in our league that looked to have the potential of these two?

After a quick bit of investigation. Average is almost the same as here. Slightly milder, and slightly drier. Forecast here. In relation to Bydgoszcz it's a little way south west. (See map here). (The online forecasts aren't always brilliant, but a decent guide).

Greg had his wheels on the line not over it. Perfectly fair. Greg, Antonio, Nicki, AJ, and Scott were all very good value on a crap track. Scott was a little unlucky not to squeeze into the final, and AJ a little unlucky that he was excluded. It was absolutely the correct decision by the ref because he did hit Nicki, but it was just a racing incident. Very much one of those incidents where you wish you could see all four given another chance.

He rode very well, and it took a great ride by Greg to steal the win from under his nose. Brilliant ride from Greg. Good on ya Grin. As long as he doesn't do anything very silly he should have second place.

Love this pic. And this one. Looking good ladies.

Yes they did. I want to say that Dunlop make the tyres, but I've probably completley made that up.

Of course he's only 20th until another reserve outscores him.

I have to say I thought Ryan was on his way down before there was just about the slightest of contact feom Nicki's dirt deflector. And when I say slightest I mean just that. It certianly wasn't anything enough to knock him off. This was one of the many bad calls by the ref.

All the wild cards and reserves have their points displayed in the table but I was under the impression that only the full time GP riders have official placings. If I'm wrong I apologise.

He didn't bother to actually tell us what was in the letter which was bl00dy annoying. Apparently it says that the ref does not have to exclude a rider. However, that dopey g!t was too busy going on about Ryan's tyre to actually tell us what the rule is. I have always thought that once a race is stopped a rider has to be excluded. If anyone from Sky is reading it would be nice if you could share your new found knowledge.

They did say that it is a tad wider, and I think that it really is a tad from the way they were speaking. The tyre was sanctioned, and it was used by a rider who's points have no affect on the standings. I really don't see the problem in it being used. Certainly didn't help much in the semi.

Make the semi's? Hmmm I think you're getting a bit over-excited now Rob. He's not 20th in the world because his points in the standings don't mean jack. He did ride very well though.

I'd say the only reason Tony is still being inflicted upon us is that he has a contract to do 'x' number of meetings for theseason. I wouldn't expect to hear from him next year. It was funny when Johnno put him right though.

I was thinking exactly the same thing Andy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First of all I want to say fair play to Lee for trying to carry on. I hope he's not too badly hurt, and will be back on a bike as soon as. The ref was crap. Why was Crump not excluded for having a loose dirt deflector? The tapes were held a little too long at times, should have been a re-start for the Lee/Matej start, Nicki was unlucky, Bjarne was unlucky, it's a long list. Congrats to Hans on another win. It's a shame he wasn't been in from the start because we'd be heading for a grandstand finish. I should've kept my mouth shut about Greg and AJ, but well done to Matej, Antonio, and Jarek.

I'd love to see Greg pick up the win obviously, but I think Jason is very focussed this season. I honestly can't see him missing out by much today. If he's beaten I think he'll be edged out, not thrashed.

Jason and Greg usually ride well in Prague, and I see no reason for them not to do so tonight. AJ should be up there on a good sized race track and his new-found confidence. Those are the top 3 for me, but what the order will be I'm not sure. Conditions in Prague reported as... Sunny Intervals 17°c Air Temp 77% Humidity 1009.1 mb. 13°c Dew Point 10km Visibility at 6pm on weather.com

Well, yeah. There is that!

A good win for him without doubt. The old boy is likely to drop the odd point these days, and any one of the younger generation could pop out and beat him. They all seem pretty quick when they make starts, and get on their fave line early. Not that I see much of the Poles, but from what we see of them here and in GP's/WC...

That's a slight surprise. Not that Gollob won, but that Hampel wasn't in the top three.

I thought it was a great piece of quick thinking by whoever put Scott's cap on.

Well this is every bit as bad as some of the other cock-ups that litter speedway. Total farce!

Considering the fact that I had a week in Kos for £176 a couple of years ago, I think £220 a night is a bit steep. Unless Miss Hilton (either will do) happens to be around. Then it's worth every penny.

Maybe I'm just being cynical but I think the price will go up significantly after the 31st Dec. It's already anything but cheap (ave. £50), and I suspect that the temptation to cash in is going to be too great for BSI to resist. They know we all love it, and people are going to be prepared to pay silly prices. I also suspect that the price increase will be enough for them to do the same thing next year. (ie hold the 2007 price until the end of the year) Don't surprised if the average ticket is more like £60 next time round. But like I said...maybe it's just me. ???