Speedway - A different kind of sport

[Warren Aspinall]

Enjoyed watching the Elite league pairs last night, there was some good racing. Although he's a hate figure I think it's good to see Pedersen back in british speedway. Poole got there tactics just right, Holder seems in fine form going into this weeks first GP. I'm backing Sayfutdinov to win with a crafty couple of quid on Harris to finish in the top 3 overall.

[avfcpg]

Good meeting the pairs was. Wish they would reintroduce the world pairs. Good decision by Watt to drop out and let Ward partner Holder. Ward looks very quick this year. Also great to see Nicki P back. Not my favourite rider but he certainly adds something.

Grand Prix is pretty open this year. Can never right off Crump, Nicki and Gollob but I too reckon Sayfutinov has a great chance. Would be great for the league if Harris and Holder were there or thereabouts as well. Might be too early for Holder yet though..

[avfcpg]

Not a great first GP. Track was so slick it didn't make for great racing at all. Pretty much gate and get out the first corner in front and job done.

Hopefully next one will provide more racing.

[avfcpg]

That GP was even worse...awful conditions, hats off to them for getting on with it.

And well done Noddy Holder, 2nd GP win..more to follow. Class act.

[Linus]

Rumours say Emil Sayfutdinov to Coventry...

[Bald Eagle]

Rumours say Emil Sayfutdinov to Coventry...

I wish it was the Brummies.

[avfcpg]

Rumours say Emil Sayfutdinov to Coventry...

Very strong rumours as well. Cracking signing for them if true. Assuming it's to replace Anderson?

[Linus]

Yeah, short term, at least at first - who's to say what will happen if he gets a taste for it!

[Warren Aspinall]

Getting ready to watch the british final tonight, apart from the usual suspects (Harris, Nicholls etc) I think Lewis Bridger & Danny King are in with a chance. I'll be supporting King & Ben Barker because of the brummies connection. Should be a good contest.

[Warren Aspinall]

Well done to Scott Nicholls, a record 6th title (i'm led to believe). He usually shows up well at the British gp so it's probably just as well he won.

[avfcpg]

Good GP last night. Seems like the old guard of Crump, Gollob and Hancock will take some beating. Class is permanent and all that. Nicki P's strop was very amusing as well!

Being bias but Holder looks more and more like the real deal. Another final, another podium finish, two GP wins under his belt in less than a year and would have made another final in the last GP had he not picked up and bailed off.

Terrible news about Leigh Adams this week...thoughts are with him.

[Warren Aspinall]

Ditto about Leigh Adams.

Last night was the first gp i've enjoyed so far this season, i'm really desperate for a young rider to edge out the old guard but it doesn't look like happening yet. As good as Holder is Crump & co have a consistency that he can't compete with YET!!!

[avfcpg]

Gollob was immense last night, as were Crump and Hancock. Bit disappointed in Sayfutinov of late but no doubt he'll come again.

Top 5 for Holder this year would be great for him...as you say, not quite ready to knock the big boys off their perch on a regular basis just yet...

British GP should be an absolute snorter...

[Linus]

Sayfutdinov is struggling because there's no dirt on the tracks - it's very difficult to pass, and he's one with top notch machinery, too. I wonder what would happen with him - and Harris - if they actually used speedway tracks rather than smooth runways?

[avfcpg]

Same for everyone though...Gollob And Crump don't seem to have a problem passing. Emil will get better and better though that's for sure. Harris is, well Harris. Looks a world beater some days, other days just not in it.