Bitza

Has anyone come across any update info on Fraser Bowes? How serious was the break/injury, is he likely to be fit for the start of the season?

Jakobsen sounds like an exciting prospect, good to have some new blood in the Championship. The But for me has to be the fact he has four 2026 contracts, you would like to know where Workington come on the priority list. Not so great if he were to only ride half the time like say Nagel in 25. Hope I get to see him race down here at Wimborne Road though.

My mistake, 7.995 that really is just scraping in.

Isn't Cook's GSA 8.2? Which minus the UK 2% is still 8+. Maybe I've got the wrong GSA figure.

Sure the money is important, but I think people are right when they say that Poole offer something else to riders, there is a winning culture at the club with a proven expectation of success. Riders inevitably improve their GSA over the season, and have something to show for their achievements by the end. All attractive features for riders and in particular for, those starting off at Championship level.

Or Paul Starke

Will Starke get signed for 26?

Anders wasn't so great after groin injury, and Cook got better after Belle View commitments ended. Yes seems that bit has to have worked out well for Poole. Yes the reserves have bags of potential but at this moment aren't the best in the league, look to Redcar's Ace Pijper and Jodi Scott for that. Kerr will of course need to sort his mechanicals. Gilkes has sound potential, Bowes not so sure but should at least hold his own. Lawson well just have to hope he can maintain his high level, because Poole replied heavily upon him last year. But all in all Pirates should be right up there, but all the clean sweep type talk I'm not so sure.

The Poole team does look handy, but I'm not thinking 26 is going to be easy. Redcar is looking particularly strong imo, Glasgow and Oxford are there or thereabouts, but others like say Plymouth have real strengths too. Should make for a competitive season, with close matches, can't wait.

So what average would Beau come in at?

Are there any favourites for the wooden spoon in 2026.

Ahh didn't realise that, but if I were to sponsor an up & coming rider, I would be tempted to use that as leverage to get them to sign for my chosen team when they come of age. Certainly it would seem slightly bizarre to sponsor a rider of an opposing team. Or is Rushden closely connected to Wessex Marine in some other way?

Bearing in mind that Wessex Marine are sponsoring Cooper Rushden for 2026, I can't see him being anywhere other than Poole.

My apologies Redcar, I probably shouldn't have posted my last comment, I never intended to put a stop to your thread. Previously I had just been admiring your team for 26, which looks full of potential, maybe my one reservation would be that there's no obvious second rider come heat 15. Good luck in 26.

Well to get back on topic, who has advanced knowledge about who the sixth rider is to be announced this evening, and will it be a surprise?