As the Speedway Star has just released its 128 page edition previewing the impending season; so I thought that it was about time that I shared my thoughts on how the Elite League is going to shape up.
1st Lakeside Hammers
Over the winter the Hammers’ management have made some very astute signings that I feel will guide them to the top of the table and a first league title since they rejoined the top division. Their top three of Peter Karlsson, Davey Watt and stalwart Lee Richardson provides them with a spearhead that has an abundance of experience that will score double figures at home and away. Neil Vatcher and Jon Cook have also been able to provide their trio with solid back-up in the form of doubling up riders Stuart Robson and Kauko Neiminen as well as Robert Mear and Kim Nilsson most likely interchangeable at reserve throughout the season. I just feel that it’s this strength in depth, especially away from home that will see the Hammers crowned the league champions.
2nd Poole Pirates
After getting the controversial ‘one eight point rider per team’ rule overturned the Pirates have been able to keep hold of powerful Australian duo of Chris Holder and Darcy Ward. Matt Ford has built a team in a completely opposite way than his counterparts from Lakeside. With continued success from their Australian import policy, Poole have enhanced its Aussie flavour with the additions of the 2011 Premier League Rider’s Champion Sam Masters and Elite League newcomer Todd Kurtz. A lot of the Pirates’ success will depend on the back-up given to Holder and Ward who will regularly score between 12 and 15 points a meeting. Dennis Andersson will have to continue his progress along with the new arrival of Adrian Medzinski. The Pirates will certainly be strong contenders for the title, but I think that Lakeside will just pip them to it.
3rd Swindon Robins
Rosco has returned, bringing with him a lot more influence to the team building table. Last season their top rider was Scott Nicholls on 7.78, a poor season by his standards, and very little to back him up. However, 2012 looks to be much brighter for Robins’ fans as they have a true number one in the form of Danish World Cup star Hans Andersen. Unlike last year, Andersen will have plenty of back up from Troy Batchelor (controversially) and Simon Stead, who can definitely improve his 6.43 starting average. The strongest part of this team though, is being able to have either Nick Morris or Peter Kildemand in one of the reserve positions, making them powerful play-off contenders.
4th Peterborough Panthers
Widely tipped in the Speedway Star to have an average season, I think that they will surprise a few people. Having watched a lot of Linus Sundstrom from his two years at Rye House and his debut Elite League season with the Panthers, I can only see the young Swede progressing well again this year. He is the main back-up to the returning Kenneth Bjerre and will have to score double figures on a regular basis. Although he is being tipped as the key to this team, the real key lies at reserve with Michael Jepsen Jensen. Much like Swindon, the Panthers will be able to interchange Jensen with the experienced Dane, Jesper B Monberg. I can certainly see the Panthers having a successful season, especially if new co-manager Jan Staechmann can gel his team together and get them to perform as their potential suggests.
5th Birmingham Brummies
A disappointing debut Elite League season has seen their team-building search for a reliable number one, which they have found in Bjarne Pedersen. The experienced Dane led Eastbourne to the play-off final last season in a team that was built on solid averages, without a stand-out performer. The Brummies have done something similar, bringing back Danny King and Ben Barker. To them, they have added former Grand Prix star Sebastian Ulamek and rising star Josh Auty. It is this powerful top five that should score enough points to win them plenty of meetings home - and against some of the weaker teams – away, but just missing out on the play-offs.
6th Coventry Bees
The Bees have lost a lot this winter: their owner and their manager. They, of course have been replaced, but not, in my opinion well enough. However, their team building has been relatively successful as they have recalled both Scott Nicholls and Grand Prix star Chris Harris to be added to Edward Kennet (returning from his six month ban). The three British heat-leaders provide a competent frame for Kenni Larsen to support from the middle order. The reason that the Bees don’t feature higher up on this list is because of the lack of consistent back-up to be provided to their top four. Consequently, I think that they will struggle to pick up points away from Brandon and will possibly get beaten at home by some of the stronger teams.
7th Kings Lynn Stars
Placing the Stars this low down does looks very harsh, especially considering that they managed to reach the play-off in their returning season last year. However, they have lost Kenneth Bjerre from last year and simply have not replaced him. Effectively, each member of last years’ team has moved up in the hierarchy, meaning that Neils-Kristian Iversen is now number one and Mads Korneliussen number two. This isn’t strong enough to lead them into the play-offs for a second consecutive season. Rob Lyon has added the World Under-21 Champion Maciej Janowski, but he is no replacement for Bjerre.
8th Wolverhampton Wolves
Spearheaded once again by Flying Freddie Lindgren Wolves clearly haven’t learnt their lesson from last season where they built a top heavy team, which didn’t work out too well. If Tai Woffinden can have an injury free season, he can certainly improve on his 8.52 average and challenge Lindgren for the number one race jacket. Like last season they are lacking back-up from their reserves, which are key to any meeting. Luckasz Sowka is a newcomer to the league and doubling up riders Ricky Wells and Thomas Jorgensen have not really impressed at the highest level, leaving Wolves with very little support to their big scorers.
9th Eastbourne Eagles
Much like Kings Lynn the Eagles have lost their number one (Bjarne Pedersen) and have replaced him with Denis Gizatullin, a rider of less quality than the one they have lost. This change has meant that Joonas Kylmakorpi has moved into the number one slot (when he returns from injury), a position that I feel he is not capable of. A lot of their season will depend on the progress of youngsters Simon Gustafsson, Lewis Bridger and Timo Lahti. Lahti has looked much better in pre-season and Bridger looks hungry for the success that he almost tasted in last season’s play-offs. Unfortunately I can’t see them repeating their feats of last year and are going to be struggling in the cellars of the league.
10th Belle Vue Aces
Unfortunately in every league there has to be a team awarded the wooden spoon, and this year it looks like it is going to be the Aces. They have retained the Elite League Riders Champion Rory Schlein, but failed to back him up with any real, consistent quality. They have drafted in fellow Aussie Adam Shields, who is extremely prone to big injuries, as is Charlie Gjedde. Much of their potential success or failure will rest on Patrick Hougaard who has flattered to deceive in the past few seasons. The Dane has failed to achieve what his potential has suggested. As such, I can only really see the Aces propping up the rest of the table.
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