Noelinho

I've heard it will be Sunday. Which is great for me!

If Oxford had won, wouldn't people be saying the opposite? I think it's more a case of two teams with little between them.

Wow. We made hard work of it. Cami tried his best to lose it. Our riders asked for silly track prep. And Lee Complin was the hero. The group of death was certainly entertaining. It's a shame we can't just face them again in the final really.

No disagreement from me. But that's what a lot of refs do. Anyway, all square now, but Oxford have the good gates in 14 and 15.

I'd tend to agree, but it's the standard call from most refs these days. As shown very well by Jason Doyle, regularly.

Well, he might get the ride in the re-run.

I don't fully remember, but it was heat 14 and it was on BSN. The ref got confused about how many rides he'd done, and there was something about a ride that hadn't been counted. I was thinking it was because Nathan went through the tapes, but maybe it was something else.

Now I need to find out what the deal was with Ablitt.

Those who think it strengthens us are wrong. I think he might be struggling for sponsorship, which might be a barrier to coming back. But he's got a great GSA compared to his 2023 average. One of the best in the league.

You know he will, and you know you won't.

Yes, looks like it.

Pretty sure it does, because I seem to remember it did for Ablitt a few weeks ago?

I don't understand why the riders have requested to have the gates prepared in a way they are never usually prepared. But then, they ask the track staff to do all sorts of things at the interval and then don't prepare for it, so it's all in character for them.

Ace needs 3 rides. Cami should pay him to run through the tapes in his next two rides.

If he gets a 15 points maximum when up against Bomber, Ben and Vadim, fair play. Good as he is, he won't get that if our boys turn up. I would take all of our top four over the respective Oxford top four at Ashfield. Now watch, we'll get pumped... and Lee will take a six-ride max.

No, I agree with Shovlar on this one. It will be close for the aggregate, and Cami always manages to put too much pressure on the boys (Tom and Ben's faces in the pits against Redcar showed that), we we really should have too much for Oxford. If someone could kidnap Cami for tonight, we'll do it comfortably. Peter can be the manager for the night... worked a treat in the pairs' competition!

Just sensible, really. Gives Ace a chance without having all the pressure, especially with R/R for Claus. If Ace can ride, he is an upgrade on Jack. It's hard to justify an #8 during the regular season, but at this stage of the playoffs, it's good insurance.

Seconded!

From previous years, I think we would try the following Friday if possible, only going to off days towards the end of the month. But Sunday, Tuesday are the favoured off-days if required.

Not sure. Maybe because Tarasenko can get away with the setup being off a bit more if he's at 3? Ben will probably be dialled into the track better from the off. I'm not sure it makes much difference to be honest though. We've got three guys who would all be good if running at #1 so it doesn't matter too much. Tom is now easily the strongest #2 in the league now too. It should be tight for the aggregate point, but this is easily within our power to win.

Yes, that could work.

Wouldn't that just mean all the averages end up converging together?

Yeah, it decimates the riders currently at 3 and 5. And the number 1 won’t have much entertainment value, because they’ll be so far ahead.

You'll love me and hate me... Chris Harris 9.04 Claus Vissing 6.24 Connor Mountain 5.28 Connor Bailey 5.23 Bastian Borke 3.86 Ace Pijper 3.17 Nathan Ablitt 2.93 This comes to 35.74.

Maybe the TV money is useful too. Depends how you spend it though!