RPNY

Can I say I need to eat humble pie on this one. Crap track or not, he was on the pace and rode great. Sorry Bomber, Russ

This 100% sums it up. That track was fine. and the racing was getting better. Harris Hancock & THJ Gollob were both great races with good clean passes. There was no reason for that to be canceled and when the riders are back riding in front of 2-5k they will only have themselves to blame. For all those going on about these meetings should be on permanent tracks, that's what the riders & fans want, that is bull. Did the Danes love riding in Parken (a lot more then Vojens) because the track was so good? No it was the prestige of riding in their National Stadium. Do ALL the riders want to be at Cardiff because the track is so great? Again no, it's the prestige, the atmosphere, the experience. The riders need to realize that they act like that again, those opportunities will soon disappear.

Well I flew all the way from NYC for this one and I'm still struggling to believe what I witnessed. EVERYTHING was in place for this to be the greatest event and therefore advertisement for Speedway in decades. But yet again it was a total cock up. Someones head HAS to roll for this, or everyone involved will just keep thinking, oh it's ok we can get away with this. First off, how was there not a second starting gate? This is surely one of the most obvious things when organizing a GP. That is a school boy error of the highest order. Secondly no one took command of the situation and the delays/ref'ing decisions were an insult to the paying public. After heat 4 it was obvious what decision had to be made. We're going on the green light boys, not ideal but it's THE SAME FOR EVERYBODY so don't want to hear any complaints. As for the track, no it wasn't perfect but we've all seen much much worse. That track was race-able and if the riders really did refuse shame on them. They had 56k people watching them, many of which were new fans and they just refused. DISGUSTING. People can say about safety etc, that track was race able and they all know it. To then come out on a lap of honor with Gollob and tweet about how great the fans were, that was just added insult to injury. The series will go on, this will all be swept under the carpet, but many many fans will be switched off from this and I truly believe Cardiff, Stockholm and probably even Melbourne will have their attendances seriously effected by this.

So anyway back to Bomber being under prepared for the GP's...

What happened to James Wright? Is he in the PL this year?

As the Russians don't want to ride for the Russian federation, I'm surprised they are in this. Isn't one of the Laguta's" Latvian" now anyway?

I honestly didn't want this to become a thread slagging off bomber. I'm a fan of his, I've admired his determination and courage over the years. The '07 Cardiff GP and '10 playoffs were up there with some of the greatest moments ever seen in Speedway for me, even as a neutral. However that was a long time ago & he has been woefully underprepared for many seasons now, in a GP series which is becoming increasingly competitive. Now he's saying he's hardly trained and he sat on a bike for first time last week, it's not good enough. So when we see yet another interview after a few GPs saying he's been struggling but finally thinks he's cracked it, I'll just shake my head and think what a shame (BTW, I hope he proves me wrong)

I'd love to believe you on this one. But when the other 14 riders have been testing equipment and working on fitness all winter it does worry me...

I'm a big fan of Bomber & have defended him many times on here, but I read this and I shake my head in disbelief... He said: “It’s going well. I tried some stuff on Sunday and it felt good. Hopefully we can build on that and take it forward. Then when the GPs come around, we can hit the ground running. “I went to Poland last weekend and that was the first time I’d got on the bike. I felt good and I’m feeling good in myself. “I’ve been training a little bit over the winter. I probably should have done a bit more, but I’ve had other things distracting me that needed organising. I’ll keep on top of it, though.”

Anyone know if it will be on Livestream like the GP's or something similar? Unlikely UK residents will know but thought it was worth asking..

On the World Stage, Billy Hamill, Mark Loram, Joe Screen the 1990-2000 versions. At Club level Lawrence Hare. Loved his leg trailing style & never give up attitude and what a cracking fella to boot.

Have a feeling AJ will be in the mix this year, if his engines and more importantly his head are right then he certainly has the ability to challenge for one of the top spots. Not convinced about KK. I agree that under pressure he will struggle. Be interesting to see if Wuffy & Holder can have injury free season. If they do, will be in the medals undoubtedly. Gutted Emil & Ward (even thought I dislike him immensely) aren't in it. Let's face it the 2 most exciting riders in the world if not the 2 best...

132 Pages?!! Seriously guys, enough is enough!

Out of interest who is not in the series who you would think is one of the best 15 riders in the world? Emil, Laguta Ward Kildermand I guess are the obvious. Who else? Be intersting to see what people think.

Maybe being there live makes a difference, but I'll take your views on board.

I understand what you are saying, but Cardiff and Copenhagen were both this year (and most years) h=great meetings, the Stockholm track was pretty dam good too. Racing this year wasnt great but last year it was fantastic... So it doesnt have to mean its a bad race track just because its temp...

Not much I disagree with there my friend.

I say it's a shame purely because the series would be better with him in it - plus Phil R hinted that he might be warming to the idea of riding in the series again..

Kind of agree though MJJ was good value everytime he was in a GP this year. It was probably decided on a coin flip!

Batch NKI THJ and MJJ Shame there's no Emil but still pretty pleased with that.

I 100pc agree. Was it a harsh decision? Id say yes although I agreed with it, maybe with clouded judgment. But It was typical NP. It's ALWAYS him involved. For those saying he's box office of entertaining or being harshly treated cos of what he's done in the past I'd say 2 things. 1. ask the other 15 riders in the field if they think he's being treated harshly. He might be excluded when he shouldn't be sometimes but he's risking their health and often their lives on a REGULAR BASIS. 2. He's done stuff in the past that's warranted him being banned for a long time so the odd exclusion isn't all that bad in my eyes.

Never Nikki steamed through he was stupid KK almost did him a favor by trying to stay on Most woulda just bailed

I think this is brilliant news. Will be a long trip from NYC but can't wait to go on my maiden trip down under. The riders must be over the moon they are finishing off the season in one of the best stadiums in the world. I'm not a huge fan of the Aussie's by any stretch but with the contribution their riders have made to GP's, SWC's & European/World speedway in General, I think you'd be hard pushed to begrudge them staging the final round. Also I can't think of another sport where they care about the fans to the point of choosing the venue. F1 certainly doesnt. The venues for the next two football world cups are another example. I find it hard to understand why BSI come in for so much flack on here. Don't really see what they've done wrong. If it's their lack of regard for the domestic leagues I'd say that the British EL dug it's own grave a long time ago, Denmark, Poland & Sweden seem to be coping just fine. With regards to equipment Phil is right, all riders strive for their motors to be equally competitive but that's just not possible & so of course they use what's best for the GP's, But that's nothing new, riders would save their best engines for the world final years and years ago. Just common sense really...

He's a Red Bull Sponsored rider, many other Sponsors, earns well out of Speedway, I refuse to believe he couldn't compete in the GP's if he wanted to. Would seem Susi is in his ear saying they can get a good payday just doing the Euros and leagues meetings. Very sad. But he's old enough to make up his own mind so to me the blame as to why he is not and maybe will not be world champion is his fault and his fault only.

Somehow there's logic in that SCB