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Josh Bates at reserve?

https://www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.37719

THJ? Probably the most talented Swede since Lindgren & Lindback, but probably a little past his best now. Had a poor 2019 season. He was a GP rider 5ish years ago. Never really fully committed to Britain. If he has no Polish commitments & decides British Speedway for him in 2020 riding in both leagues he could be a revelation. I have my doubts.

Doolan has retired.

7.59 for final rider, I believe. That rules out Covatti & Ellis.

Having looked through unsigned riders for 2020, with 2019 averages. Can't see anything other than a 8 pointer & a 2 pointer being sought. Just no riders fit with Thomsen or Hume/Perry.

Of course, slipped my mind

Looks like a solid start to team building for the Tigers & i hope they have a successful season, I'm no Nicki Pedersen fan but I might actually visit Monmore for the first time since Peter Karlsson's farewell meeting when he is in town, gotta love a Pantomime Bad Guy. Don't think Nicki will have any problems maintaining his 8.61 average in this league. I don't think he'll prove to very exciting to watch however, he'll be miles in front of most riders by the first turn and quicker than them as well.

They'll both be on the averages attained at Wolves & Poole from last year - Howarth 5.72 Grajczonek 7.29 Which leaves the Tigers with 20.88 for 4 riders.

I only saw Hume once, he was certainly quick, if a little erratic. Worth a punt on 3.19. never saw Thomsen or Perry do don't know how they compare.

Whatever average he comes in on it'll be too high! I don't think he has ever ridden second tier Speedway in the UK

No. But I can't see him at Birmingham, his 5.07 average would leave 4.95 for the final spot and would see the Brummies having 5 rides on averages between 4.9 & 5.4.

So Scorpions are likely to line-up: Auty Ayres Jorgensen Aarnio Allen Lambert Palin

That doesn't mean the Polish club will use him very often, they use squads and British based riders signed by the second & third tier clubs don't tend to get many outings. Only Luke Becker did enough tier 3 fixtures to attain an average. Josh Pickering & Ricky Wells completed 2 meetings, Todd Kutrz 1. Ellis has signed for Rzeszów along with 8 other seniors. I make it 10.02 (probably due to spreadsheet rounding up down to two decimal places with the 2.5% average reduction applied to Brits) King on 8.46 with reduction is too high. Covatti & Ellis fit with a 2 pointer. Hume leaves 6.83 (if my figures are correct)

Covatti fits with 2.20 left, but if the final rider is a 2 pointer then so does Adam Ellis. Have a feeling Covatti will be retained by one of his 2019 teams.

Joe Lawlors average is 2.00, Connor Mountain average is 4.61 with 2.5% reduction, if he is with Lions in 2020 it'll be in the main body of the team.

Castagna confirmed as a Brummie in 2020.

Kyle Howarth in for Leicester. Paco Castagna in for Birmingham.

Kyle Howarth in for Lions.

That was only last year, as it was his first season as I understand it. Now he can get an assessed average based on his average with Wolves its not a problem. While he is a joy to watch, I have a feeling Becker is no go, he'll be too busy with continental commitments to ride for the Brummies or any other Championship club. Never saw Thomsen ride, so no comment. Agertoft on 4.00 is no go for me. Think Danyon Hume is worth a punt on his 3.1ish average, unlikely to be in the Leicester team as their reserves are sorted.

If my spreadsheet is correct & Castagna is the next 2020 Brummie, 10.02 for two riders remains.

If Castagna is signed he'd surely start at reserve as Morris & Shanes have a higher average and one would hope there must be another rider signed with a higher average than Morris. I think he'd be a good reserve, I also think the number 2 position would suit him well since he's a decent gater and prefers to ride the inside, #2's nights end early and there is less chance that all the dirt will have moved to the outside by then. Don't forget Castagna did a fair few heats 15's & R/R in heat 13 before Aarnio & Garrity joined, after Morris was injured which will have decreased his average (& probably confidence).

Morris signing confirmed on Brummies site. Hopefully fully fit & I'll get to see him this year.

I think a fair few GP riders would take issue with that. Have you ever seen Janoswki, Zagar, Woffinden or Hancock ride as "ruthlessly".

Wow. "Lets go to the speedway tonight, offspring. It could be fun, if Nikki Pedersen misses the gate someone could get fenced."