GP line-up for 2026

[Youhave2minutes]

15 hours ago, IainB said:

 push pineapple, shake the tree 😂

Last time I shook the tree a load of coconuts fell down

[PersonalResponsibility]

9 minutes ago, IainB said:

That may very well be the case but I'm trying to think back to his WC years (a long time ago now) and I can't ever remember him being a swashbuckling BZ type rider forcing his way through from the back, I could be wrong, like I say it was a long time ago

I remember him being pretty good to watch at his peak, in fairness. I don't think he was ever as exciting as Ward/Zmarzlik/Emil, etc., but still put it about plenty. In addition, he only actually won 3 GPs across 2013/2015, and in 2013 he had Hampel/NKI behind him, so probably didn't really need to do anything exciting!

[THE DEAN MACHINE]

28 minutes ago, IainB said:

That may very well be the case but I'm trying to think back to his WC years (a long time ago now) and I can't ever remember him being a swashbuckling BZ type rider forcing his way through from the back, I could be wrong, like I say it was a long time ago

That’s why I said he is a good opportunist rider because he sees an opportunity and he’s quick enough to react to it. He has never been an out and out racer.this is why I believe zmarzlik is the GOAT  because all the greats have their style of riding which serves them very well but zmarzlik has everything in his armour, he doesn’t seem to have a weakness 

Edited 12 hours ago by THE DEAN MACHINE

[LagutaRacingFan]

The idea that Woffinden is some sort of mega star is hilarious.

A couple of appearances on BBC news don't make you a public figure.

 

[mikebv]

1 hour ago, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

He will still win some races and he will still be the opportunistic rider he has always been but I can’t see him taking the big risks anymore, he has been bitten too many times now, imo there shouldn’t be be no wildcards, it’s either a serious world championship without wild cards or it’s a travelling circus with them 

Tai spent the last few seasons being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, too many times, to be "just unlucky"...

He also became a very defensive rider when hitting the bends in close proximity to the other three....  

Quite natural I would say given his injuries sustained in the past five years or so, but he is now coming back from a huge one, which would mean a monumental effort to still mix it aggressively with the rest of the GP field...

Let's hope for his own sake, as well as the GP's, that he justifies the spot in the line up, as no one would want to see his incredible legacy tainted by being an "also ran" meeting after meeting...

 

[ytsejam]

I've seen some farcical decisions and events in the 50 years I have watched this sport BUT the inclusion of Woffinden in the GP series for next year has to be the biggest FARCE ever. Utter joke of a decision, done purely for publicity reasons and not for the good of the sport or other riders.

Disgraceful decision which just makes the sport look even more tinpot than usual!!

[Fromafar]

Would agree ,stinks of cronyism.  

[PolskiZuzel]

6 hours ago, IainB said:

the exception seems to be BZ who has to do a lot of his work from the back

... and that's what I like in speedway...ability to RACE...to pass opponents during a given race. Jumping from the gate  and taking the best lines on the track is also fine...but it doesn't beat for me ability to pass from (last, third, second) and win the race

[IainB]

5 hours ago, ytsejam said:

I've seen some farcical decisions and events in the 50 years I have watched this sport BUT the inclusion of Woffinden in the GP series for next year has to be the biggest FARCE ever. Utter joke of a decision, done purely for publicity reasons and not for the good of the sport or other riders.

Disgraceful decision which just makes the sport look even more tinpot than usual!!

A bigger farce than Kvech & Huckenbeck? A bigger farce than still including a local wild card even though all locales were already catered for? A bigger farce than the Sprint Races? A bigger farce than the points scoring system... I'll leave it at that for the time being 😁

[PolskiZuzel]

8 hours ago, IainB said:

Okay, let's assume he is affordable... why then is he not seen outside of his country promoting Speedway as World Champion? Where are his media appearances? His interviews and promotional activities? He doesn't even do interviews during a GP on the world feed!

I'll give you that he rides in Sweden

So you agree that your talk about BZ's "high appearance fee" ... is nonsense. You also accuse BZ of not "being seen outside of his country promoting Speedway", Where would you like him to be seen? In Argentina? France? Which other countries, apart from Australia, have speedway tracks. Oh yes, there is also league racing in Britain, but he is already riding in two leagues. One could say there are also individual event. I would say there were. Where is Internationale, Pride of the East, etc., etc. As far as  BZ's "inability to communicate with anybody outside of Poland" is concerned ,why all the Extraliga English speaking stars communicate only in English whilst they ride and earn big money on Polish tracks. If you want him to do "interview during GP on the world feed", ask then Abi Stephens to interview him in his native language and then translate (on the spot) into the language you understand. That's how it done in the Polish League.

[FAST GATER]

5 hours ago, PolskiZuzel said:

... and that's what I like in speedway...ability to RACE...to pass opponents during a given race. Jumping from the gate  and taking the best lines on the track is also fine...but it doesn't beat for me ability to pass from (last, third, second) and win the race

That's why IMO BZ is the GOAT no gate and go ,almost all his races are box office  !