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Thanks Jacqueline. Good see to Lars Daniel continuing to do well. One question though, is Morten Hvamstad any relation to the late Ingar Hvamstad?

Reported here and also here if your Danish is up to much.

The phrase 'face like a smacked ar$e' was really designed for occasions like that trophy presentation

Agree, but perhaps he's now like that as a result of it all, almost as if he's got some sort of mental switch that's taken place. It's a shame as he's always been a favourite of mine, but he does seem to be getting more reckless. That move was really on the limit and I don't blame Scott for his reaction. When I think how he was before all of his serious injuries, and how he is now...it's like watching two totally different riders.

Flippin' heck. Am I seeing things? The word 'brillianti in reference to Scotty in a Subedei post. The world is suddenly off kilter.

Enjoyed that...of course, not swayed at all by the fact that Bjarne did so well Really pleased for him although we said from the start conditions would suit him. Sorry to annoy Sube with the following comment about missing rounds, but makes you wonder where he'd be now if he'd not broken his wrist and missed two. Two average GPs with 5 points each would've seen him inside that top 8. Still, one round to go and it's not impossible. If he doesn't do it, then it's hopefully our gain next year Felt for Crumpy, but them's the breaks and it leaves it wide open for the last round. Re the Pedersen crash with Lindgren, it just seemed that Nicki's cut back and Jonsson coming up the inside at the same time left Lindgren nowhere to go. Just a racing incident and the right decision to exclude Freddie. With the Crump/Pedersen crash, again the right decision - Nicki did lean on Crump; not the first time he's made a move that like and slid off - Cardiff springs to mind previously. Tough calls but called right tonight I think.

Well how about a big chunk of the Sky money going into development for a start? How much was the last contract signed for? It doesn't need huge stadiums to bring on talent, just financial backing to help those who have that talent to make the transition through the ranks. How do you think our Olympians have done so well over the recent years...investment in training and coaching and financing. Perhaps a track where daily racing isn't a problem to be made a central training area for riders? It ain't rocket science really and if the will is there, there'll always be a way.

That smacks a little of bitterness there Trees. We could have the same input from grass roots up in those in authority decided to make the investment. Unfortunately, we operate an every man for himself or his club attitude, and sadly when it comes to international competition these days, that shines through.

True...just a shame that ability equals less than exciting in some cases.

Good points all. And Holder for one has commented on the finances required, although stops short of dismissing his inclusion as a wild card next year. Wise head on young shoulders that one... The trouble we have at the moment is the series is dominated by about 5 or so riders, all in their mid to late 30s. There will come a time when one by one they fall by the wayside and at the moment, those who would come in to replace them are still some way short. I agree with you about the previous form of the Lindbacks, Zagars etc but think the future bunch still need a chance ahead of those of 'advancing years' who we know will do nothing to enhance the series. I've nothing against riders coming in who might not figure highly in the meetings now, as long as they show potential and add to the entertainment of the series and take a few scalps. Has-been gating tarts need not apply.

Hardly the most inspirational of additions to the GP series (and I say that as a fan of Walasek). Agree about Bjerre's flier in his last heat, and yet the rider off the same gate in the next the heat did exactly the same and it got called back. Do feel for NKI, but feel he might be in with a chance of a wild card. Much as it pains me to say it, I think Bjarne has cooked his goose this year (although missing two rounds through injury hardly helped) and will be looking in from the outside next year. Only redeeming thing from tonight was Sullivan not getting back in - his addition would've been a step backwards and as others have said it does give Holder more of a chance. If I had my way, the wildcards would be NKI, Holder, Sajfutdinov and possibly Pavlic just to freshen the series up a bit. Too much dead wood floating around in the GPs and tonight's qualifiers don't do much to dismiss that perception.

Thanks for that - looking forward to hopefully making the trip up to this one. Any idea on prices to get in tomorrow night? Is it usual Somerset admission?

Much as I'm a huge Barney P fan...I have to agree with you there Sube.

Yep, Mullard with his constant conjugation of 'disappoint' - we did think of having a drinking game but figured we'd be trolleyed after the first half dozen heats seeing as uses the word so damn much. Aaarrggh.....

One day you're going to do yourself serious injury, you're so sharp sometimes.

Yep, definitely 5pm. Got caught out last year by the late time change so not going to again.

Sums up Grzegorz to a tee. Brillaint or bloody awful - there's never really any middle ground with the guy. I've always been a fan of him, for some totally illogical reason, but think the GPs is a bit beyond him to be honest and he'd be another KK or Lukas.

Cheers Sube - trying to keep up with all these goings on recently is a nightmare! Really hope that Jonas isn't injured as badly as the reports indicate. He's been a reformed character this season which is great to see.

Did Nicholls ride? I thought he was withdrawing from riding again for Hammarby as part of his new regime...or did I mis-read that? Wouldn't be the first time

Great stuff! Well done Sqora

Well done Mango

Cheers Sube, BP may be 'grey' to some, but he's had some moments along the way. Just read the write-up on last night's meeting on the Daily Echo website - seems Bjarne isn't doing the qualifiers this year - he may well have burnt his bridges for 2009 unless he swaps kevlars with the other Pedersen in the series...

Hmm...well Bjarne finished 6th in the standings in 2005 and has actually won a GP, so think you're a bit off kilter on that one. Even with my BP bias I'd have to agree - Bjarne has missed a couple through injury this year, but has flattered to deceive in the last couple of seasons. With the next generation knocking on the door, I don't think he'll get lucky again and I can't see him being able to pull enough back to make top 8 - if he does get in, it'll be through the Qualifier, same as last year. Nicholls will always get the nod for being a token Brit until such time that Tai or someone similar is deemed ready to take his place and that won't be that far away.

Pre-meeting yes, because anyone rating this as one to watch for the racing quality, must surely have had a skinful en-route.

You jest, surely? I find him a cheesy parody of himself. Someone really ought to tell him that Ricky Bobby was a pishtake! As for that can of drink he keeps plugging, with logo always facing outwards, he nearly choked on it trying to get his plug in and the question in the interview was shorter than he expected. Comedy highlight of the evening. As for the GP, boring, boring, boring. I can only think that the nightlife in Prague must make this GP, cos the racng certainly doesn't. Well done to Nicki anyway, he looked a class above tonight and despite Crumpie's efforts, no-one in reality was going to touch him. And without sounding biased, which I know that it will but Holder surely has a chance of a wildcard. He'd do no worse that Dryml (and I say that with a heavy heart) or Kasprzak. In fact the way he's riding at the moment, he'd easily sit mid-table there without trying. Edited for typos.