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Post by admin on Oct 18, 2009 11:32:05 GMT
So, now we know who has qualified by right for the 2010 circus:
J Crump..(AUS) T Gollob..(POL) E Sajfutdinov..(RUS) G Hancock..(USA) A Jonsson..(SWE) N Pedersen..(DEN) R Holta..(POL) K Bjerre..(DEN)
M Zetterstrom..(SWE) C Holder..(AUS) J Hampel..(POL)
All of which just leaves the four nominations, unless the non-blood Pole Rune Holta, who the screaming imbecile claimed was "desperate" to be in the circus next season (what a fool that man is), follows through with his threat to quit the series. If Holta goes, his place will probably fall to Fredrik Lindgren, whose qualification record is very nearly as abject as Bummer's. If Holta goes and Lindgren stays, that'd probably rule the erratic princeling out of the running for a nomination, as the Swedes would already have three riders. But if Holta stays, it'll probably be a straight choice between Lindgren and Lindback for one of the nominations. Again, if Holta bows out, the pressure will be on to nominate a Pole to bring them up to three riders. But, realistically, there isn't any "stand out" Polish rider waiting in the wings to claim a place and it's hard to see anyone clamouring for Ulamek (didn't he do well last night?) or Walasek to get a reprieve. Another nomination is likely to go to Hans Andersen so that Denmark have three riders in the field, while the retirement of Leigh Adams saves the organisors from a rather tricky situation - after a career of qualification, not to have nominated Adams after one flop would've been a disgrace. So, assuming Holta swallows his pride and carries on, two probable nominations are:
Lindgren/Lindback..(SWE) Andersen..(DEN)
Which leaves two, but which two? Zagar is a name often thrown into the equation, but he flatters to decieve and his form in Poland dropped once he entered the Elite League fray mid-season. I've a feeling he could get the nod, but I wouldn't be surprised if once again he's left on the sidelines. And then there is the British conundrum.
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Post by Genghis on Oct 18, 2009 13:14:44 GMT
I will give two answers - firstly who personally I would put in, and then who I think will be in.
My seeded riders would be: 1. Fredrik Lindgren. Improving all the time and only just missed out on the top 8. Only a matter of time before he wins a Grand Prix and climbs the rankings further. 2. Hans Andersen. Something of an enigma in 2009, but far too good not to be in the Grand Prix series. 3. Antonio Lindback. Somewhat inconsistent, but has excelled in his two wildcard appearances during this season. Another enigma, but he's exciting to watch and adds a little colour to the GP series. 4. Ummmm... tricky. However, I am going to plump for World Under-21 Champion Darcy Ward. I know people will stay he's too young, but wasn't exactly the same said about Sayfutdinov 12 months ago? If you're good enough, you're old enough. And Ward is a truly exceptional talent.
However, I don't think those will be the 4 riders. I think it probably will be: 1. Fredrik Lindgren 2. Hans Andersen 3. Chris Harris 4. Tai Woffinden
There aren't any British riders good enough to be in the GP series, but it appears the GP selection committee, rightly or wrongly, always plump for two Brits. Harris, whilst a also-ran in the GP series in 2009, is our best rider. And Woffinden is our best young rider. So I think they'll be the two Brits seeded into the series.
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Post by admin on Oct 18, 2009 13:37:22 GMT
1. Fredrik Lindgren. Improving all the time and only just missed out on the top 8. Only a matter of time before he wins a Grand Prix and climbs the rankings further. I see no evidence to support that. Okay, he does the business in a woefully weak Elite League, but apart from the odd glimpse, he's done nothing in the GPs. My view is that the Sausagemeister is nothing more than a Swedish global superstar - needs to be kicked into touch and given something to think about. He's another who has never qualified on merit for the GPs.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2009 13:47:12 GMT
1. Fredrik Lindgren. Improving all the time and only just missed out on the top 8. Only a matter of time before he wins a Grand Prix and climbs the rankings further. I see no evidence to support that. Okay, he does the business in a woefully weak Elite League, but apart from the odd glimpse, he's done nothing in the GPs. My view is that the Sausagemeister is nothing more than a Swedish global superstar - needs to be kicked into touch and given something to think about. He's another who has never qualified on merit for the GPs. Have to agree. He's been given two free shots and done little to prove it was deserved. Kick him out and let him come back on merit if he has what it takes.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2009 14:18:19 GMT
Lindgren Woffiden Zagar Richardson
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2009 17:39:27 GMT
my 4 wc picks:
1.Lindbäck 2.Richardson 3.Laguta 4. Miedzinski could be interesting to see. He have been very good in Sweden and Poland this season. 147p from 15 meetings in Sweden and 120 points from 14 meetings in Poland. He wasnt that hot y'day though.
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Post by schumi on Oct 22, 2009 6:12:36 GMT
Hans Andersen has dismissed claims his poor performance in Bydgoszcz was down to partying the night before. He says he only went out to get some food for his team and was back before midnight. Lots of sources saying he and Lindgren are almost certainties for the nominations, but Hans is refusing to pin his hopes on it, citing that he's been overlooked before.
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Post by schumi on Oct 23, 2009 18:02:16 GMT
Hans' chances have just improved considerably, with Ole Olsen stating he'll be pushing for the Dane's inclusion. The FIM meeting is this weekend, and Ole says:
"I'll make good arguments to Congress. Hans has shown that he has the skills to be one of the best in the world. Moreover, it is hard to find good alternatives further down the list.
I'm backing him because I do not think we will see him be so disappointing again."
Furthermore, it is given that Denmark again will have two GPs in 2010 - Parken and Vojens. This increases the chance that Denmark could have three riders in the series.
Holsted's website.
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Post by admin on Oct 23, 2009 18:15:11 GMT
Olsen has a point when he talks about the lack of viable alternatives, but realistically that isn't likely to change if the same old faces populate the lower order year on year. At the minute only a handful of riders are genuinely competitive in the GPs and most of them are in their mid-to-late-thirties.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2009 0:22:08 GMT
I hear what you are saying Subedei, but surely a rider doesn't need to be IN the SGP to prove he is worthy of being in it...Jarek Hampel is a fine example from the last couple of seasons, you could possibly say Holder too.
There are only 11 SGP's and far more league matches to prove yourself in, and there just isn't anyone else that is a stand-out contender in league matches.
In saying that, I still think the SGP series should go back to a format that can accomodate 24 riders, as that made things far more interesting. The guys lower down the order don't have the consistency, but they can deliver a shock every now and then (think Walasek and Ulamek in the last couple of rounds)....The expanded field let you have an extra 8 riders who might just have their "good day" on any one round.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2009 10:17:13 GMT
Agree the 24 man rounds were more entertaining, but I guess the problem with that format is keeping that many riders interested and gunning for it.
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Post by admin on Oct 24, 2009 21:07:09 GMT
Agree the 24 man rounds were more entertaining, but I guess the problem with that format is keeping that many riders interested and gunning for it. I think the main problem with that formula was the cost.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2009 22:28:45 GMT
www.dn.se/sport/wild-card-och-guld-till-lindgren-1.982184according to this artcle in swedish newspaper Dagens nyheter the 4 permanent wild cards have been awarded to: Freddie Lindgren Hans Andersen Tai Woffinden and Edward Kennett IMO the decison to award EK a permanent wildcard is well laughable and truly shows what a circus the IMG/BSI are. IMO even Tai is questionable but EK? what have he achieved except beating British U21 in the BEL? he was very mediocre in the 5 meetings (20 heats) he rode for Vargarna scoring only 16p. I mean there are at least 3-4 riders in Britain alone that would do a better job then him.
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Post by admin on Oct 25, 2009 22:32:21 GMT
Edward Kennett would just be a joke. And not a very funny one either. Is there a statute that says Coventry Bees must have a British representative in the GPs? Kennett couldn't even find a team in Poland last season. That's how poor he is.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2009 10:42:33 GMT
What an annoying piece of info, first of all; Edward Kennett?! Second of all, Lindgren is quoted as saying "I was expecting to get a wild card".
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