Bitza

Not surprised in fact I kinda suspected it, maybe it's time to go professional? He isn't the first motor sport contestant finding themselves in that situation, fine while they come up through the ranks but generally there comes a time for an "awkward conversation". If that is actually what is holding him back let's hope he's had that chat.

Don't think he was plan B, cos apparently he was signed very early on. He was more likely a remnant of the 38 total team. The key to his success will be getting his machinery sorted & maintained, not beyond the wit of man. Maybe finances have been an issue, or possibly misplaced faith in his spanner person.

Plenty of speculation about the last two, but does anyone out there have any idea of when the next official announcement might come?

Well I know nothing about him, but from the still photos he looks to have a riding style similar to Ben Cook, low down below the handle bars, great to watch and can be very effective. On the down side also pics of him giving the air fence a hard time.

If it it's Starke then the Fords have dropped a b.llock, it's got to be somebody else surely, my money is still on a continental/aussie. The confirmation of Anders is good, but it's the reserves that's crucial especially considering my (and others) comments about the Glasgow team.

Redcar to announce team this evening, Sat 7th.

Surely it's simply a matter of balance, Glasgow have riders I would have liked to see to see riding for Poole 25 but.....but they also have a big hole come heat 2. So in answer to your question, sure I'm fine, are you really as well as you make out?

I was just looking at the "confirmed riders for 2025" thread, and it struck me that no team has yet confirmed a rider on 2. The number 7s so far include the likes of Vinnie and Killeen, making the Pirates apparent choice of employing a 2 look like potentially a risky strategy, bearing in mind that a reserves points are worth the same as a heat leaders.

When you look at the confirmed riders for 2025 one thing is evident... no riders on a average of two so far?!

Totally agree, I'm feeling confident it's not Starke. Can anyone expand on the returning aussie rumour bit, with some names?

Sedgeman confirmed as Monarchs rider.

Was curious to see how bad Kerrs injury record was over the last season, so I checked out the league results. He missed 5 meeting and scored zero in two when he was injured. Not too impressive, but maybe it was just a phase he has learnt from?!

So that gives 4.32 max for the last rider (assuming Rowe +2). If so it looks like a continental 4 to me.

About time we were drip fed the confirmation of another rider I'm thinking.

Fair point, I can see many riders seeing it as an opportunity to show what they can do, a bit like Vinnie did. I always had a sneeking suspicion that someone had said to Max Perry something like "it's OK lad nobody's expecting you to win every heat just go out and express yourself" and he took it a little too literally.

But if you substitute Howarth on 7.27 for Kerr 7.76 you get 39.92. Not a bad fit all in all. To say it again a rider doesn't become bad overnight, Sam has slumped but he will come back just a matter of when, hopefully 2025 at Wimborne Road.

If its 4.3 for the final rider, I can't see it being Starke bearing in mind that Vinnie would have been an alternative.

I read on the Glasgow thread that the Polish U24 league seems under threat due to financial issues, which could make the UK Championship a more attractive proposition. Are there any likely/possibilities from that league for Poole to lure in?

The fact that Thompsen's average is approx 0.5% higher than Vinnie's says something about how the Fords are thinking. They obviously rate Toby's "value per %" over Vinnies, and that the potential 0.5%saving made no significant difference to the choice of other riders.

Good to hear that Tobias Thomsen has been confirmed for Poole in 2025. Also went on Scorpions thread not alot of happy bunnies there it seems.

Sure us fans loved to see Vinnie race, but like I've said before he was a gamble and the Ford's might not find that attractive. It'll be interesting to see how he goes next season, could go either way imo.

Well instead of Starke/Pijper, you could have a continental 4 and a new 2 (Cairnes).

Rory Schlein confirmed as Bandits capt. Plus Craig Cook.

Exactly, it's means more opportunities to watch speedway at Wimborne Road, those who don't like the idea well there's a simple solution. So now, when does the drip feed of team riders start?

This seems to me an odd way to see the situation, surely promoters and fans are equally dependent on each other, and as such should work together to make a success of their club and the sport as a whole. If/when Wimborne Rd is no longer for instance, it will probably take both parties working together if a solution is to be found.