am i alone in thinking that scott nicholls shouldn't be able to ride in the championship of great britain this year if he cant be bothered riding in the country all season?

Obviously I can't sat whether you're alone in holding that opinion.

However, if we take the basic argument to its logical conclusion. Would you ban all foreign riders from riding in championships because they are not riding in the host country of a particular championship?

Should you answer in the affirmative and the controlling bodies of speedway instituted such a ban would that not devalue all championship meetings?

I hold no brief for Nicholls as a man but he is, arguably, the best British rider at the present time and to ban him would, surely, be tantamount to cutting the figurative throat of British speedway

Whilst not the biggest fan of Scott Nicholls it would make the sport look even sillier than it does at the moment if the reigning British Champion was not allowed to defend his title due to not participating in the British League(s). On a par with saying Beckham should not play for England just because he plays for Milan (or LA Galaxy or wherever he ends up).

Surely the powers that be need to look at the reasons why the defending British Champion, and currently the best British rider we have, chose not to ride Elite League in 2009. That's the question that needs answering urgently.

You strike the proverbial nail firmly on its head, Chris.

Well lets all remember that a couple of years ago we were the reigning pairs champions but due to the rules not allowed to defend that title so the rules have been sent and should be adhered to.

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Be Proud, Be Loud, Back the boys and make some noise.....

Two points arise from that, Len:

1. Does the rule you refer to apply only to the pairs championship?

2. Knowing the BSPA propensity for changing rules year upon year does it apply at all to the 2009 season?

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Ste, you are not alone, simple answer is ban him..! But then again i detest the guy..!

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Proud to support the TWO World Famous Clubs from our great city, BELLE VUE ACES & MANCHESTER UNITED FC.

I have little, if any, respect for Nicholls as a man, Kev. However, I feel it would be wrong to allow that dislike to temper my view of him as a rider.

He is the champion and in banning him from defending his title the controllers of the sport would only be making the speedway a laughing stock in the world of sport thus devaluating it even more.

I firmly believe that banning Scott Nicholls from defending his British Championship title would be a totally retrograde move; an action which could only be damaging to speedway.

Perhaps the ideal scenario would be to see him lose the title in fair on track action.

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Well under the rule of riding in another country over Britain gives you a 28 day ban, then by the BSPA's logic he shouldn't be riding in the championship. However i don't see why a british rider can't ride in the British Championship. Because Jason Crump hasn't riden Down Under this, does that mean he shouldn't be allowed to ride there next year. No it doesn't, so why should we punish Scott Nicholls in the same way by refusing him the chance to be the champion of this own country?

To win the title without Nicholls taking part,is a hollow victory in my opinion.