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Kevin Maltby on Who's on the plane?

"for me this is a strong 30 man squad, except for RB n CB. For me with the injury that Terry might have got today, we are now going to be short in defence, much like Man Utd were this ... " View all comments

David Holder on Bravo, now build on it

"Well said Mikey. As a West Indian I am so glad for a series win but i hope this was a one-off in terms of the tactics employed to win. It so nearly blew up in the team's face, but you ... " View all comments

Chris Knox on Premier League picks

"I cant look beyond Chelsea again this season, considering we were without Michael Essien for the vast majority of last season and we had to do without Drogba, Kalou and Mikel during the... " View all comments

Kevin Maltby on Who's on the plane?

"for me this is a strong 30 man squad, except for RB n CB. For me with the injury that Terry might have got today, we are now going to be short in defence, much like Man Utd were this ... " View all comments

Tom W on Will Blues blow it?

"Martin. Arsenal beat Birmingham 3-1 earlier in the season so in your hypothesis Arsenal would be champions on goals scored only.... " View all comments

Anthony Carlin on Calendar goals

"i find it really funny that rooney has more goals than defoe well 1 more. saying the fact defoe has missed alot more games this decade than rooney, has'nt started as many and dosn take ... " View all comments

Pedersen for Pearson

Dane to recapture title according to Nigel

Features Posted 24th September 2012 view comments

It's Nicki Pedersen for me... let's get the prediction out of the way first!

Whilst I didn't like Nicki's antics in Malilla when he let passion and anger get to him in front of a TV camera - which could have been described as intrusive - I am full of admiration for the man as a professional.

Nicki Pedersen: Nigel's pick for world title

Nicki Pedersen: Nigel's pick for world title

Not only is he a Speedway rider, but he is an athlete. Catch Nicki on a day off at his UK base and he's not out partying, he's down the gym and talking to his team about mechanical set-ups.

During the winter he takes a family break, but equally important is his approach to sponsors, his weight management, his general fitness and back-up team.

Shootout

So it's a straight shootout between Nicki and young Chris Holder for me in Torun on October 6. And I don't know about you, but I can't wait!

Chris leads the title by two-points from Nicki with reigning champion Greg Hancock 10 behind which, sadly, I believe is a step too far to retain the crown.

Holder will be on his home Polish circuit, but that can work either way - pressure of home fans may work against him, or it may spur him to glory.

He's improved as a rider this season and I've also noticed a much more serious attitude to his racing. He likes to have fun, but this is a serious business.

But Nicki has been there with three world titles to his name. He's also got the momentum of a fantastic display in Vojens where, although he didn't win the meeting, he was top scorer with 20 points.

Chris Holder may thank me for this prediction and I will be delighted to admit I'm wrong should that be the case!

What a series it's been ... and it promises to get even better! Starting in New Zealand back in March, nine different winners in 11 rounds and the emergence of younger stars like Lindback, Vaculik and Jepsen Jensen.

Ward

Then there's the Darcy Ward factor. Will he be invited next year? And who will qualify from this Saturday's GP Challenge in Gorican?

Yes, SGP 2013 promises to be something special. Sadly it will be without Jason Crump who has called time on his World Championship career and I sincerely hope he gets a standing ovation from the sell-out Torun crowd.

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