rabbit

I can. And I have. And I'm not saying he 'should' be overlooked as if it's some sort of snub to the PL, I'm saying 'will be overlooked' simply because he is not proving himself as being worthy of a team place in terms of the opposition he can and is beating. Seriously until he rides full time in the EL for a period of time. mixing with and beating the level of riders he would be up against in an international competition (as Havvy and Stoney have done in their careers) then he will not get considered. We'll see what his intentions at are the end of this season. If he stays PL again I'll rest my case - his EL performances last year were nowhere close to SWC standard. But here he is another year down the line when the likes of the Lindbacks, Lindgrens etc who are younger than him are already riding on the world stage. That to me says ambition in my personal definition of the word. Others may not agree but it's just my opinion. It's a pointless argument anyway, no-one other than the expected top 5, maybe 6 will get a look in for a team place through the tournament at all.

Totally agree with you about Tony - he might as not be there in the races now. Not the way I'd wish to remember him. Think the fact he is already racing the Porsche series or whatever says more about it - his heart isn't in it and his commitment is now in that discipline.

Fair enough if I took it the wrong way. But Greg can do hard when he wants to...seem to remember him being very harsh on Havvy in one SWC race and almost sticking him in the fence on the line. But hey, you have to be ruthless now and then.

And a third rider too but I can't remember who it was now. No-one had mentioned it before now on here so perhaps I thought it was just me thinking it. Was definitely on the limit of 'hard riding' and I'm sure if certain other riders had done it, that it would have been talked about. PPerhaps the camera angles made it look worse, I don't know The other thing I noticed was Greg talking about what I thought was a great race with Bjarne and then him complaining post-race that Bjarne rode a little hard. What concerned me was his 'what goes around comes around' comment, especially as Poole are at Smallmead on Monday. Just hoping he doesn't have any daft ideas of payback for something that imo was just a good race by both of them. Oh, and why do they always interview the same riders. Leigh Adams at least 3 times tonight...and they always say the same thing every time!

Blimey - going to have to save that post for posterity. Well done to Hans - what a way to rub BSIs nose in it. We sit and wait for them to admit they made a mistake...yeah right. Could grow old in the meantime Great showing by Bjarne and Anton, and far better from Scott and Lee (was well pleased for Rico especially after the flak he's had to take).

I was specifically referring to the youngsters - Havvy has been there and done it and has the pedigree. He could still do a damn good job in the EL as a 3rd heatleader (see his recent guest performances for Coventry and Poole) but for his own reasons chose to go PL - and by his own admission has said that his inclusion in the squad may well be more of an advisory role. Middlo needs the young riders to move up and be taking on and beating the best in order to consider them for the squads. I've nowt against Ricky at all, but really can't see how people can seriously claim he should have a place when he's not riding at the top level in this country. He rode for us doubling up last year and to be honest, was well off the pace on many occasions. After making the most of his maximum doubling up years he hasn't bitten the bullet as say Ollie Allen has done and come up. It hasn't been easy for Ollie either I'm sure but he's reaping the benefits now whilst the likes of Neath and Ashworth remain PL. Each to their own but whether you like the EL or not, if you want to be an international standard rider, you have to show you can mix it with your overseas peers in the higher leagues.

Loobie has to be considered for Reading I'd think. However, although my heart says we'll get to the final, my head says this year we won't. Think the Aussies are looking a bit tasty now that Todd is back and firing on all cylinders and Shieldsy is riding like a thing possessed after his injury. Add them to Crump, Adams etc with Sully thrown in and Face must think it's Christmas come early. And damn, it pains me to say that.

Ricky made the decision for Middlo when he decided to drop back to the PL this year and not come up to the EL full-time. Middlo has always said he'll pick the lads who show ambition - afraid Ricky has shown he'd rather earn easy money in the PL than mix it in the top league like Allen and Bridger to name but two - so why should he get a look in when they haven't. He had his chance to do that this year... Harsh but true I'm afraid. As long as he stays down in the PL he won't get a look in - especially when other English lads are taking the chance to further their careers. And no... I'd not have picked Kennett on current form either but would have gone for Olly Allen. But like Rob says, it's not like they're going to get a ride tbh.

Exactly Shazz...none so blind as those that won't see. Besides, a good manager is a good manager. The fact he doesn't have any Brits in the side at Poole doesn't mean he can't manage England. Ask the Poole and England lads what they think of Middlo's management skills. But no, far easier to whinge eh? When we did have Brits in the side and Middlo picked them, that was wrong cos it was club favouritism. Poor bloke can't win!

Well done Monkeyboy - great result. Good luck to Brendan and George in the next round.

Thinking about it though, it's highly unlikely that anyone other than the usual 5/6 names is even going to get a look in for a ride so whether it's Eddie or anyone else named, it's all just that, a name on a squad sheet. I certainly can't think of any experienced international standard riders that have been left out (which is what we're going to need), with a very small exception of maybe Deano, but that's it.

With the squads so far I'd see us as 5th best tbh - the aussies have plugged that last place with Toddy coming back with a vengeance.

If he's under the age limit then they wouldn't even be able to declare him in the squad surely? If he wants to act as spannerman to say Floppy then why not let him go there that way.

Actually i'd agree that on current form Olly Allen can feel a little aggrieved - especially as Eddie Kennett has been picked over him. Haven't really seen anything from Kennett yet at EL level (this year) to think that he should have any prior claim to the spot.

Very funny.

Cheers Tarabanko Should keep me quiet for a while.

Hmm...a cold and possibly wet weekend in March, or a warm June weekend. I'm with SCB, if this goes ahead I think I'll stay at home. Don't give 2 hoots if it's the 100th or the 97th, or if the winners get more - it's about the whole experience. Why change a winning formula? Besides I just don't do cold weather.

Could be worse...they could be contemplating Vladivostok.

So true. That and my annual Woody hug - made my day.

It was the speed and willingness of Steve and Woody to get their tops off and bond that shocked me. Didn't quite now where to look with all that flesh on display. Love you really guys.

Does it really matter? People will be asking for a clapometer next.

I'd forgotten about that with the beer. Hehe..could have been mighty messy.

Lovely to meet you too! Was a bit strange though, him sat there all on his own. We managed to spot where we were on TV though thanks to your flags. Quality points of weekend: Fine start to the weekend with a spicy Newport/Glasgow clash. It wouldn't be the same without it. Great stuff from both teams as a neutral. Starbucks doing a banana caramel frappucino. Totally orgasmic. Meeting up with old friends and new in the PoW for a chinwag. The SimonStead fan club who made total ** of themselves in the PoW. Steady clones - is he a gay icon or something? They certainly loved him. What was it 'see ya laterz' - shame the bloke didn't take his own phrase literally. Some decent racing in the GP. Don't care whether the track was man-made or not, or whether it wasn't billiard-table smooth - it was entertaining and there was passing in plenty of heats and that's what I pay to see. Downsides: the crap driving of people on the roads from Bristol to Cardiff. Best leave it at that or I'll get wound up again. Muppets. Oh...and caravans. Bloody things. Fine family fun overall. Roll on next year.

If you bought your tickets before a certain date (not sure when the cut-off was), there's an extra stub on the ticket to allow you a free programme.

Wonder how more peeved she'll be to get 15,000 air-horns disrupting her set when one of the GP line-up makes an appearance at the side of the track. Somhow I think she's in for a shock. Just glad I'll probably be staying in the pub to miss it!