Just when Speedway promoters thought they had seen everything, a volcano eruption causes travel chaos for many Grand Prix riders (and commentators) heading to Poland this weekend!
British based riders have been forced into a dramatic late change of travel plans following the flights crisis which erupted (pardon the pun) last week.
But, one way or another, the boys will line-up in Leszno on Saturday for one of the most eagerly awaited SGP seasons in recent times.
Holder: GP debut this season
The new generation of riders have certainly spiced up the anticipation. I can't wait to see Chris Holder and Tai Woffinden racing against the brilliant Emil Sayfutdinov - not to mention the likes of reigning champion Jason Crump, Nicki Pedersen and Greg Hancock.
Gollob factor
And then there's the Tomasz Gollob factor. He's had no stress over the flight crisis, he's been testing in his home country despite the cancellation of league racing over there because of the sad death of their President and his wife.
I'll stick my neck out and say that Nicki will win his fourth world crown.
It's a fascinating season ahead and, when looking at the title itself, I fancy Pedersen to come back strong after things went against him last season.
Crump is sure to be there challenging and Sayfutdinov will be in the frame to follow up his bronze medal from his stunning debut season last year.
Looking at Holder and Woffinden, I don't expect them to be challenging for a top three spot but they will enjoy some memorable moments over the 11 rounds, that's for sure.
Holder qualified through the Grand Prix Challenge and has been riding regularly in the early weeks of the season with the brilliant Poole Pirates in the Sky Sports Elite League.
Woffinden has made an inconsistent start with Wolverhampton and is sure to be nervous, but at the same excited when he lines up on parade on Saturday night.
Bomber
Fellow Brit Chris Harris is facing up to last chance saloon when it comes to his GP career. If he fails to make the top eight this time, I don't see him getting another pick from the organisers, so 'Bomber' is under a bit of pressure. Let's hope he can respond.
I personally feel Freddie Lindgren will step up a level this year and make the top eight for the first time. He's capable of winning rounds and Wolverhampton's Swedish star is the top man in the Elite League. He goes into the meeting in fine racing form, others have been forced to settle for testing only.
I'm going for a Tomasz Gollob win on Saturday - and I reckon Lindgren can make the rostrum along with Nicki Pedersen.
As for the title in October? I'll stick my neck out and say that Nicki will win his fourth world crown, if he can stay injury-free and have a bit of luck on his side.
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Comments (4)
Paul william White says...
hi nigel i just wondered if when the gps are on tv would it be posible to have the race times put on screen this would a great help to the speedway fans thanks mr p white
Posted 16:47 21st March 2011
Duncan Mccabe says...
grand prix speedway what a difference a track prepared for riders to race on made to tonights grand prix thoroughly enjoyed anight of racing lets hope this continues through the grand prix season full marks to tony olsen and track stafff duncan and joan mccabe new cumnock ayrshire glasgow speedway fans
Posted 22:15 24th April 2010
Eric Simister says...
Great first Grand Prix, really useful programme, but it would be helpful and of more interest ,if at the start of the television programme you gave out the draw order, so that we can prepare the programme before the racing starts and before all the expert views on what might or might not happen.
Posted 21:47 24th April 2010
Paul Manchester says...
At the end of last season i thought that this year's series should be one of the best with at least three in contention, plus other good racers in the line up. However, i wait with bated breath to see if the biggest boost to the GP's occurs. I refer to the departure of Ole Olsen from the post of race director and the expected significant change in the preparation of the tracks under the new holder of the post Tony Olsson. Most people last season after seeing him be interviewed (and i remember reading an article a short while after) took it that there was to be an instant wholesale change. However, at the time i thought he worringly avoided stating out and out that would be the case. Hopefully, he was just trying not to offend or sleight Ole Olsen's previous work? Certainly the Speedway Star are also adopting a wait and see stance judging from their article 'The Leszno Question'. On the plus side, i think it was on Sky Sports, this week someone stated the track had been given permission to prepare a 'league match' type surface. Noooooo! First reports from practice are that the track is to be prepared slick. TV money talks so if we are faced with the status quo (yeah the group as well lol) hopefully people will complain to Sky about a season devoid of entertainment ahead of us and we'll be intending to switch off. If it is slick, let's just hope it will be one of those rare-ish occasions that a slick track can provide some racing. Certainly doesn't happen that often i know. Does anyone know how Leszno preforms when slick?
Posted 02:39 24th April 2010