Subedei

And it was hard but fair. And Crump was by no means the only rider in the final to leave Lindback for roadkill. Rickardsson was as hard as Crump. But it's a learning curve for the young fellow. A tremendously impressive effort. He's a confidence rider and his good showing in his opening heat was probably the key to his performance. As for the British riders: it's going to be a long old season for the hapless duo. Andersen and Gollob will surely improve on their terrible displays, but you have to doubt whether Nicholls and Richardson will.

Well, if you want to be champ, you've got to be prepared to grapple with the meanest of speedway's mean. Pedersen was hard on Crump and in the final Crump was hard on the youngster Lindback. A fantastic, awe-inspiring performance by Tony Rickardsson. He won it. And the rest were nowhere.

Can't really do anything but agree totally with that. Still, be a travesty if Rickardsson doesn't win it.

Gollob out barring a miracle. He's actually making starts but going backwards. Just as well my other 50 credits were on Rickardsson.

Lindback has been excellent. Think a good opening ride set him up for the meeting. But Rickardsson is on another planet.

Hard, fair, but almost ruined his race as well as Crump's. Looks like the same thing as happened at Belle Vue. Crump and Pedersen tango in the first two bends and the other two riders steam under them and away. Still, proved a saviour for Gollob. Without that, I think he'd have struggled for third.

Already been 4 pretty dire races already.

Totally agree. That noise is going to drive me insane. Not just at the start of each lap but when giving the results. Looks like gate 3 is going to be desperate.

Anyone have any details? Edit: But there he was for his opening heat. Sky Sports strikes again. Might as well delete this pointless thread.

It's one thing to say it, but a whole different thing to do it.

Adder I think that Rickardsson (5/1) is only for Wroclaw and not for the whole thing. It lists the Wroclaw tracks reserves.

Exactly why the odds are miserly. He's (Adams) joint second-favourite in the ratings listed above, which is miserly considering he's never come close to being champ.

Even for outright winner, it still looks the most generous odds available. Rather miserly odds for Adams and Hancock in my opinion.

Can't see many Italians buying tickets if there is no Italian at Lonigo.

Well the Scandinavian and European grands prix seem the ideal situations for the FIM and BSI to take a more active role in selecting the wild card. The Swedes and Poles are already well represented in the series. In my opinion the 4 Scandinavian nations (Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland) should submit a nomination to the FIM, with the wild card decided by drawing lots. The same sort of thing could happen with the European grand prix. It just seems strange that Holta is included in the Swedish grand prix.

To be honest, I thought the Swedes might be prevailed upon to include Holta for the Scandinavian Grand Prix, but not the Swedish Grand Prix. This seems very strange. Also thought the Poles might be prevailed upon to give an outing to a Czech or Russian or German rider for the European Grand Prix. But I guess not.

Expecting an exclusion for Nicki Pedersen then?

AndyM it's Wroclaw and not Katowice. Think Gollob had a disappointing grand prix at Wroclaw last year - went out with an engine failure from memory. He looks to be flying in Poland at the minute - matching Rickardsson point-for-point. I guess they will be the favourites.

Why not just post your thoughts in the thread already started in the Grand Prix section? And Miskowiak might have to wait some time. I'm not sure the Polish authorities will take to kindly to Miskowiak withdrawing.

True. But not really very difficult to arrange a compromise on rules. Could even use the old National League 16 heat formula, or the old 18 heat international test formula.

Can't see the Polish authorities taking this too well. They might not give him another chance in a hurry.

Any reason given as to why Miskowiak has withdrawn? Can't see the Polish authorities thinking very much of it, unless he has good reason. A great opportunity for Kasprzak. He's been the undoubted revelation of this season in the Elite League.

Would be great if someone could arrange a couple of meetings between Unia Tarnow and Poole (both champions of their respective leagues in 2004). One in Tarnow and one in Poole. Would be a huge draw, I'm sure. And I don't think there are any rider/team clashes in the squads.

You're probably right. But on speedway merit Wroclaw would surely have gone to Protasiewicz. Miskowiak, as said on another thread is Under 21 champ and probably deserved a go, but I wager Pepe doesn't get a sniff at Bydgoszcz no matter how well he is doing. The Poles always seem to go young for their wild cards.

They already announced Miskowiak for Wroclaw. Think the Poles might go for a Rempala at Bydgoszcz - Kasprzak had his chance last season. Think the Danes will go with Kenneth Bjerre (if a GP series reserve can be included as a wild card) in Copenhagen. Think Zagar is a "no brainer" for Slovenia - if fit. Think Britain will give Norris or Loram the nod, but should give it to Stead. Who knows who the Swedes will go for, probably Max, Karlsson or Lindgren, with a possible outside chance for Alden (who would probably get the nod in Poland). Italy - God alone knows. Czechs will probably go for Ales Dryml.