One over the eight

[Wee Eck]

If the rumour that CL teams will only be permitted one rider with an average, after reduction, over 8 points, then once more it seems the weaker teams want to drag the stronger ones down to their level. What sort of sport expects to flourish if it continues to lower standards whilst no doubt increasing prices? 
And, again if the rumour is true, this means that Dan Thompson will become some team’s number one. Now, Dan has had a great year and, gave the GB under 21 SON team something to be pleased with in an otherwise disappointing night when he scored 23 out of GB’s total of 26, but is making him a number one in a new team, inevitably a poorer team than this year, going to spur him on or slow him down. I’m sure someone will be able to find the split between his home and away scores but my gut feeling is there will have been a big difference when he was away from Glasgow. 

[PersonalResponsibility]

According to this: http://www.gbspeedway.com/2025/riderperf.php?mc1=x&mc2=r&mc3=av&mc4=x&rider=Dan Thompson&league=B&sort=date&comp=All&club=Overall, Dan Thompson averaged more away than he did at home. I think he'll be fine.

[Wee Eck]

4 minutes ago, PersonalResponsibility said:

According to this: http://www.gbspeedway.com/2025/riderperf.php?mc1=x&mc2=r&mc3=av&mc4=x&rider=Dan Thompson&league=B&sort=date&comp=All&club=Overall, Dan Thompson averaged more away than he did at home. I think he'll be fine.

I stand corrected and thank you for the information.

But still think he’ll struggle riding at number one

[foreverblue]

37 minutes ago, Wee Eck said:

I stand corrected and thank you for the information.

But still think he’ll struggle riding at number one

Yes agreed, you cant imagine him beating many other number one's on a regular basis.

[GM95]

48 minutes ago, Wee Eck said:

If the rumour that CL teams will only be permitted one rider with an average, after reduction, over 8 points, then once more it seems the weaker teams want to drag the stronger ones down to their level. What sort of sport expects to flourish if it continues to lower standards whilst no doubt increasing prices? 
And, again if the rumour is true, this means that Dan Thompson will become some team’s number one. Now, Dan has had a great year and, gave the GB under 21 SON team something to be pleased with in an otherwise disappointing night when he scored 23 out of GB’s total of 26, but is making him a number one in a new team, inevitably a poorer team than this year, going to spur him on or slow him down. I’m sure someone will be able to find the split between his home and away scores but my gut feeling is there will have been a big difference when he was away from Glasgow. 

I’m not sure why you think it’s lowering the standard or detrimental to the league. Teams will still be built to the same limit and a fairer share of the top riders throughout the league is good for competition. 

[gmuncie]

Can’t say I’m a massive fan of restricting team building beyond an overall limit but the one over 8 thing doesn’t really weaken the league or teams that much imo 

This year only 2 teams started with 2 8+ riders these being Berwick and Redcar.

The name of the game has and always will be finding riders who can improve their average so restricting teams to 1 8+ rider doesn’t change that. 

[Arthur54]

4 minutes ago, gmuncie said:

Can’t say I’m a massive fan of restricting team building beyond an overall limit but the one over 8 thing doesn’t really weaken the league or teams that much imo 

This year only 2 teams started with 2 8+ riders these being Berwick and Redcar.

The name of the game has and always will be finding riders who can improve their average so restricting teams to 1 8+ rider doesn’t change that. 

Poole have finished with only one rider over 8.00

[Youhave2minutes]

39 minutes ago, Arthur54 said:

Poole have finished with only one rider over 8.00

You’ve finished pruning them roses then Arthur54.

[PersonalResponsibility]

1 hour ago, foreverblue said:

Yes agreed, you cant imagine him beating many other number one's on a regular basis.

I struggle to think of many who he won't beat? Masters and Lawson maybe, possibly Harris & Wright at a push, not much else. This is a rider who put 1.5 points on his average this year, I'd back him to comfortably beat the likes of Kemp, Worrall (if he rides), Batchelor, etc.

Tom Brennan improved in a similar way at Glasgow and then averaged 9+ the season after. I think Thompson is a relatively slow burner but is going to be a very, very good rider.

[Fromafar]

15 minutes ago, PersonalResponsibility said:

I struggle to think of many who he won't beat? Masters and Lawson maybe, possibly Harris & Wright at a push, not much else. This is a rider who put 1.5 points on his average this year, I'd back him to comfortably beat the likes of Kemp, Worrall (if he rides), Batchelor, etc.

Tom Brennan improved in a similar way at Glasgow and then averaged 9+ the season after. I think Thompson is a relatively slow burner but is going to be a very, very good rider.

Dan had set back when he broke his wrist otherwise he would have upped his average even more.He was the main man in his partnership with Flint who he guarded in a lot of their Heats.

[Arthur54]

1 hour ago, Youhave2minutes said:

You’ve finished pruning them roses then Arthur54.

Yep and Trackprat has disappeared for the winter 😂

[szkocjasid]

3 hours ago, Wee Eck said:

I stand corrected and thank you for the information.

But still think he’ll struggle riding at number one

I think the complete opposite, to me he's at the stage of his career, when he's got to decide if it's time to leave the Champ behind & just do Prem with Poland (& Sweden)?

This year his average would've made him a number one at Berwick, Edinburgh, Plymouth, Scunthorpe & Workington!

If he stays in the Champ, I've no doubt he'll average above 9 & be one of the top riders in the league.

Edited 1 hour ago by szkocjasid

[Aries]

32 minutes ago, Fromafar said:

Dan had set back when he broke his wrist otherwise he would have upped his average even more.He was the main man in his partnership with Flint who he guarded in a lot of their Heats.

Totally agree here. Dan was also on fire for us at Ipswich until he broke his wrist. Had his moments when he returned, but never regained that early season form. Maybe the wrist was manageable but still causing issues? Who knows but plenty of time to rest over the long winter months and come back 100% next year.

[TigerIain]

31 minutes ago, Aries said:

Totally agree here. Dan was also on fire for us at Ipswich until he broke his wrist. Had his moments when he returned, but never regained that early season form. Maybe the wrist was manageable but still causing issues? Who knows but plenty of time to rest over the long winter months and come back 100% next year.

He also wasn't quite the same rider for Glasgow after his wrist injury. 

One thing to note though, is that he spent all season at the slightly easier number 3 rather than 5. Being number 1 will be a big step up for him, but hopefully he will take it in his stride, and if he does go back to Plymouth then he'll have Scott Nicholls supporting him

[Youhave2minutes]

49 minutes ago, Arthur54 said:

Yep and Trackprat has disappeared for the winter 😂

He’s burrowed that deep he’s in Australia now

[Youhave2minutes]

One over the eight.

You must be well tanked up.