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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2009 8:41:21 GMT
It's not all about money though - in this case it's about profile. But really, what profile does the SGP have? People might casually watch it on Sky, but ultimately how does that benefit anyone but BSI? It doesn't bring any more fans through the turnstiles of the local tracks, neither are the speedway authorities receiving any sort of payments as far as we know, and media coverage beyond Sky is virtually zero. Okay, arguably the city of Gorzow gets a few travelling fans for one weekend a year, but is that worth 300K?
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Post by schumi on Dec 11, 2009 11:04:34 GMT
Following the success of the earlier start time at last year’s FIM British Speedway Grand Prix, BSI Speedway has confirmed the 2010 event on 10 July at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, will start at 5pm (1700H) local time.
The pinnacle of the British speedway calendar, next year’s event will celebrate the sport’s ten years at the Millennium Stadium and the earlier start time is a boost for fans and the city of Cardiff a like as Paul Bellamy, managing director, BSI Speedway, explains:
"The five o'clock start time allows fans to come into Cardiff, enjoy the atmosphere and the delights the city has to offer before entering the Millennium Stadium. We will be celebrating ten years at this fantastic stadium that has become an integral part of world championship speedway marking many historical moments in the sport's history.
"Fans who book their tickets before the 31 December 2009 will be able to purchase them at 2009 prices and the earlier start time allows fans the option to stay in the city and continue their celebrations following the event and enable them to make a weekend of it."
The 2010 FIM British Speedway Grand Prix will be the sixth event of the 11 round individual world championship FIM Speedway Grand Prix Series.
From speedwaygp.com
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Post by schumi on Jan 28, 2010 15:26:06 GMT
I see Crumpy is saying his arm is still giving him a bit of trouble, meaning his preparations for the season aren't as he'd like. He says his arm isn't strong enough to ride at the moment, and he is slowly trying to build up the muscle he lost after the accident.
From Holsted's website.
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Post by schumi on Feb 17, 2010 21:55:55 GMT
Jason Crump
The reigning champion (as much as it pains me to admit), and by far the best rider in the field last year, who will be fired up to retain the crown. But an injury picked up in the latter stages of 2009 is still reportedly giving the Australian trouble, so we'll have to wait and see if he has enough time to get back to full fitness.
Tomasz Gollob
Pure entertainment, especially when he's wild. The Pole had one of his best GP seasons last year and will be looking to go one better, but can he finally pick up that title?
Emil Sajfutdinov
Look out, look out there's a nutcase about. Exceptionally talented, but spoils it by having a (tempera)mental mechanic and, what can only be described as an unhealthy attraction to Nicki P. No doubt the Russian adds a certain something to the series, but the question is whether he can finish a race by beating his opponents rather than skittling them all over the track.
Greg Hancock
Every year you think he's getting older, so must be slower, and every year he seems to take you by surprise. Should win at least one GP, but unlikely to win the title.
Andreas Jonsson
Another who is capable of winning GPs, but so far hasn't been able to better 4th place in the standings, which he achieved in 2006. However, for the last three years the Swede has been clawing his way up the final table, and certainly is capable of pushing for the top three.
Nicki Pedersen
Two major problems for Nicki this season - he's lost two of his main sponsors and has said he'll probably have to dip into his savings to finance this season; And Emil Sajfutdinov. Nicki's also had a change around with his pit crew, so a lot of change for the Dane this year, but there's no doubting he has the ability and drive to win.
Rune Holta
Another rider capable of winning the odd meeting, but you have to question whether his heart's really in it this year, after he took so long to decide whether he'd take his place at all. No threat to the front runners, but a useful rider, and deserving of his place.
Kenneth Bjerre
Seemed to save his best for the GPs last year, but still didn't win a round. Still one to look out for, and
Freddie Lindgren
Fast Freddie looked nigh on unbeatable in the Elite League. He's talking the talk, but needs to take some of that league form to the GPs. His friendly rivalry with fellow Swede, AJ, could prove to be the incentive he needs.
Hans Andersen
Certainly deserving of his place, and always looks like he's enjoying his speedway. Should make a few finals.
Magnus Zetterstrom
A lot of people ruling Zorro out, and I have to say I can see why. But he's invested a lot to get a decent crew and machinery, so we'll have to wait and see.
Chris Holder
We've talked about what Holder can do in the GPs since he emerged as a talent, and now's the time to see what that is.
Jarek Hampel
Glad to see Jarek back, and, from what he's been saying lately, I think this year could be one of his best. He's focussed and capable, and I think he'll be in with a good chance of making the top 6.
Chris Harris
Nice guy.
Tai Woffinden
Had a good year as far as league meetings are concerned, but is he out of his depth in the GPs? But still an entertaining rider, and someone for the Cardiff regulars to get behind.
Reserves:
19..P Protasiewicz 20..D Watt 21..M Smolinski 22..A Miedzinski 23..G Walasek 24..L Dryml
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Post by zonkers on Feb 27, 2010 10:39:02 GMT
ZORRO THE UNDERDOG Grand Prix newcomer Magnus Zetterstrom is happy to let his rivals think he will come last in his World Championship debut season. The 38-year-old was the shock winner of last season’s GP Challenge at Coventry to earn his spot in the competition. Some supporters and pundits have questioned whether the Poole legend has what it takes to make an impact on the sport’s biggest stage so late in his career. But the 2008 Swedish champion has no intention of finishing 15th in the final standings, and he is ready to capitalise on being given the underdog tag. Zetterstrom said: “I have a much higher goal but it feels like everyone else is expecting me to be last. So I want to use that as an advantage. Let everyone else believe I will be last. Then every single point and place I get will be a bonus. “I’m also going to use it as an advantage against the other riders. Nobody will put pressure on me and when they’re at the start line, they will think ‘I’ve only got two other riders on the start line.’ “Actually there will be three, but they will think ‘oh, Zorro will come last, no-one is counting him.’ Then I will be in the semi-finals and they will look at the programme and think, ‘how did he go this far’? “As a sportsman, I don’t want to finish last, but I don’t need to put the goal up higher for people to say ‘oh, he must be mad or he can’t do that.’ I know what I can do and I’ll keep that to myself. Let everyone else think I’ll be last, and then I’ll come out a winner instead of a loser.” Zetterstrom has gone from riding in the British Premier League in 2007 to qualifying for the SGP series within just two years. So the Gdansk rider is determined to continue his incredible progress and has no intention of just making up the numbers. He added: “It’s not like I’m just there to watch and be happy. I’m a sportsman and I’m not happy just to qualify. “Coventry is behind me now. I have it on my CV and it is a great night to remember in my career. But it’s a new challenge and now I want to do something good in the Grand Prix.” ( From SpeedwayGP.com) As my signature on the BSF has said for some time now (ever since I saw him qualify at the GP challenage ) , I really hope he proves them all wrong !
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Post by schumi on Mar 2, 2010 15:27:10 GMT
Looks like Nicki P could be safe(r) as the Nutcase has a new target.
Emil Sayfutdinov’s manager, Tomasz Suskiewicz, admits the Russian faces a huge battle to maintain his supremacy over former World Under-21 Championship rival Chris Holder.
The Aussie came second in the Grand Prix Challenge at Coventry in September to book his place in the series.
Meanwhile, Sayfutdinov took the sport by storm last term, after finishing third in his World Championship debut season and claiming victory in three SGP rounds at Prague, Gothenburg and Krsko.
The Bydgoszcz rider went into the competition as a two-time World Under-21 champion, having lifted the trophy in 2007 and 2008. Poole star Holder finished second to Sayfutdinov in both of these seasons and will have been dejected never to land the junior crown.
But the pair will renew their rivalry in the senior championship this year, and Suskiewicz admits his young protégée will have a fight to stay ahead of the Australian champion.
He said: “We’ll see how this goes. Maybe this time Chris will be better? We shall see. Emil won those championships but it’s a different story now with the Grand Prix.
“It’s not only about Chris, though, and Emil won’t look at other riders riding with him. He’ll be focused on himself and do the best he can.”
While Sayfutdinov went into the 2009 season as an unknown quantity to some of his SGP rivals, he goes into the new campaign as one of the top contenders to lift the world title.
If any of the Russian's opponents underestimated him last term, there is no danger of that happening in 2010. But Suskiewicz is not worried that the SGP field has wised up to the 20-year-old’s capabilities.
He said: “They wanted to beat him last year after he did so well at the beginning. Riders were definitely noticing him then, but I don’t think he has a problem with people wanting to beat him.
“Many people have said he wouldn’t do as well because of this, but he doesn’t care if someone wants to beat him or not. He just goes for it.”
speedwaygp.com
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Post by schumi on Mar 11, 2010 7:17:54 GMT
Looks like Nicki Pedersen and Hans Andersen both intend to enter the qualifiers for the 2011 GPs. Good on them. Also interesting to see Leon Madsen wants a shot at the title. The ambitious 21-year-old, eagerly looking forward to his first full British campaign, has already pinpointed helping Castle Cover Pirates back to the top of the Elite League as his main target for this season.
But, on a personal front, he is eyeing up a long run in this year’s GP qualifiers for the 2011 competition.
Madsen, now back in his Danish base of Vejle, said: “I’m aiming for the GP. That is my individual goal this season.
“I think it is a realistic target and I’ll do everything to get into the GP qualifiers.
“That’s why I’m getting new bikes and getting myself into even better shape than last season.”
Madsen, handed a permanent Pirates team berth after impressing in seven late season appearances for the club in 2009, must star in the first round of the two-meeting Danish Championship to progress to the GP qualifiers.
The crucial round is at Esbjerg on May 28.
Madsen said: “I have to get in the top seven or eight there because I don’t think Nicki or Hans, who will take part in the national championship, do the GP qualifiers.
“You have six or seven places up for grabs, so the top eight should do it. But my goal is a top-four place.
“It’s not the best track for me, but I have raced some very good meetings at Esbjerg.
“I have a good feeling about the meeting and I’m looking forward to it.”
Madsen added: “I’m looking to do better than last year when I was fifth after the first Danish Championship meeting.
“But both meetings in 2009 counted towards the GP qualifiers and I was a little bit unlucky in the second one at Fjelsted.
“I ended up outside the top eight after I had a crash and a problem with one of my engines.”Snipped from www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/speedway/piratesnews/5050100.Pirates__Madsen_chasing_his_GP_dream/
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