Bavarian

I hear that Sergey Darkin shall not only ride for the Russian team, but may have to act as teammanager as well. Seems likely that the Russian coach Oleg Kurguzkin and the Russian manager Andrey Savin did not get their entry visa to the UK in time. Not sure if this is true or false, but if Mr. Savin is at King's Lynn on Monday, he's the man to answer some questions. By the way, Roman Povazhny may not need a visa, because he lives in Poland and has a Polish wife.

I believe that it will be those four representing Russia at King's Lynn. No Sympathie with Emil, who could ride, but does not want to if the Lagutas don't ride. Great mystery is, what have the Lagutas done, that they can not get a visa! It's scary!

but why is this a 17 riders field? How do they do it with 17 riders???

How amazing to see an American and two New zealanders making the journey to Sweden to take part in this championship. What an effort, mates!

Yes that was good, a title at staek in every round. It was also better to have the riders compete in regional qualifying zones. Nordic, Continental, British and Overseas. That should be brought back at least for the early qualification process instead of having five qualifying rounds and send the riders all across over Europe. The current Grand Prix Challenge should become the Intercontinental Final, with the winner becoming the Intercontinental Champion. A much more presigeous title than GP Challenge winner. It would be great to have some of these titles back.

It is a pretty desperate situation for Smoli, as captain of the German team, having qualified for the SWC for the first time in six years, he wanted to lead his team in Denmark, but now he can't ride because of his world long-track GP commitment. Not that the Germans -with or witout Smolinski- would have been a threat to either Sweden, Australia or Denmark in Vojens.

Instead of seeding the host nation to the final, I'd like to see them in the race-off. That would guarantee a decent crowd for that meeting. That way, even one of the smaller nations could stage the race-off and final of the SWC. I remember in the days of the World team Cup Finals, Germany and Austria hosted some of these finals without their own teams ever riding in it. And they still got a good crowd.

But if no other country wants it, what can the FIM do? Doesn't Sweden get the race off and final next season, and the new Belle Vue in manchester in the year 2013=

But this visa problem seemingly only exists for him (and his brother) in Britain, not in any other EU countries. Why?

No Madame,I can't accept it like that. Let me ask again, how long does it take to issue a Russian sportsperson with a British visa? And how come that his brother Grigory will now seemingly also not get a visa in time for the World Cup meeting in King's Lynn which is in July!!! The saying goes: Where there's a will, there's always a way. This one stinks!

Definitely not, only a few thousand. They had quite a large attendance when they race in Cairo the following year, but in Kuwait and the Emirates there wasn't much of a crowd. Egypt was good!

And the wild card in Lonigo goes to Nicolas Covatti, an Argentinean! (he holds an Italian racing license)

But what exactly is the problem then, if it is only the Laguta brothers who don't get a visa, and not the other Russians?

Quite true, that 2x2 Russians

What are You on? Talking speedway, Leicester has Darkin and Bondarenko? Who else do YOu know?

This is all very stange! How long does it take the UK authorities to issue a sports visit visa for a Russian athlete? How comes that Laguta can ride in other European Union countries each week in Polish and Swedish leagues, ride the GP's in Czech Republic and Denmark, and does not have any such probems? Laguta is still in with a chance for a top eight position, see his results in the Danish GP. Do not underestimate him! But this boycott from the Cardiff GP does not help his chances. I don't know who is to blame here, if he has made a mistake in applying for the visa to late, or someone has fooled him. I am very disappointed with this.

I absolutely agree with Your opinion. For Denmark to pull out now after having made the qualification for the final is a no go. They knew before where the final is this year. If they don't want to or can't affort to go to Russia, they should nevere ever have entered the competition. Britain did not enter a team for that same mentioned reason, which I fell is disappointing, but fair play to Britain, they did it the right way and pulled out before the competiton has started. Considering that even the USA has sent their national team for a U21 World Cup qualifying round to the Ukraine this year, the Danish decision is very poor. The FIM should penalise Denmark if they really pull out. I would ban them from the comeptition for at least one, perhaps two years! And the Russian organisers of the final should receive some sort of compensation. I am really angry about this. Why has it come so late, Mr. Secher???

Some information on teh UEM website here My link I only know that Hynek Stichauer is the rider of the Czech Republic

What, Elgane without the Bjerk brothers? Where are they? No Carli Raugstad for Riska either? And what about the Drammen team, did the three riders have to share one bike between them, or what? The Gunnestad brothers should have been favorites to win this meeting! What wnet wrong?

No, their first win of the season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H6owScks4U&feature=player_embedded

Does this mean that speedway is finished at Lviv? How about the SKA-Favorit Lviv team? Is the Ukraine league still on?

Good luck to Steve Worrall!

That s Paul Kasper, not Kaspar!

British youngster Steve Worrall and an as yet unnamed New Zealander are expected to make the long trek to Chervonograd in the Ukraine for this Sunday's World Under 21 qualifying round. Will they travel? Is there any NZ under-21 rider currently in Britain? Or do they send one over from half way round the globe?