Post by sheffielddons on May 19, 2015 15:00:23 GMT
The Polish GP took place and saw our 'new' World Champion crowned - well, I say new but that's possibly not the best description as he's been there before! Two new names on the final rostrum who will be looking to challenge for the title next year and of course the rest of the top 8 are confirmed as returning next season for another go too.
The remaining 7 riders then went on to the GP Challenge where they were joined by the 8 qualifiers from the Semi Finals and Jesper Risager who won his Scandinavian Semi Final with a 15 point maximum but was then denied a chance to compete in the next round because of injury.
5 riders ended the Challenge by either retaining their GP spot or going all the way through the qualification rounds to make themselves permanent members of the series for next season.
This left 2 Wild Card spots to be selected which the GP Management Committee decide on very quickly and we can therefore confirm the lineup for next season's GPs...
TOP 8 FROM THIS SEASON'S SERIES
1. NICK AMBROSE (England) - WORLD CHAMPION
2. LIAM REAY (England)
3. HAYDEN WOOD (England)
4. JONUS SANDIN (Sweden)
5. HANS E BERGESTOL (Norway)
6. SCOTT BRIDGES (Scotland)
7. RYAN IRWIN (Australia)
8. MARTIN SHAW (England)
GP CHALLENGE QUALIFIERS
9. ERIK DAVIDSSON (Sweden)
10. MACIEJ TERCJAK (Poland)
11. DENIS GOMOZOV (Russia)
12. OLEG YELESNEV (Russia)
13. CHRIS ADAMS (England)
WILD CARD PICKS
14. HENRIK HANSEN (Denmark)
15. BRAXTON MCCHESNEY (America)
The Wild Card selections were as always difficult decisions with several riders considered. League performances were taken into account along with age and any GP Wild Card performances in the season among several other factors. One crucial aspect which helped to split the decision was the wish to have as many nations as possible represented in the series so although perhaps a case of luck for some riders it must be remembered that all riders did have a chance to qualify through the GP Challenge meetings of course!
Denmark didn't have a rider in the series with Henrik Hansen and Steen Eriksen being candidates to take a place. It was a very tight call although in the end Hansen was chosen with Eriksen almost certain to receive a GP Wild Card call up during the series and push his claims for a permanent place.
Braxton McChesney won the American Final with a maximum but then was denied his place in the next round due to injury. He has appeared as a Wild Card on several occasions in the past, including an impressive 8 point score this season, and was felt to be due his chance whilst also giving America a representative in the series.
Several other riders were given serious consideration but for most their chance will surely arrive over the next few seasons.
In Sim World we now just await the confirmation of the UL Champions who will face off against the Moscow Moths for the European Cup and then it's all eyes towards the international break, including the World Cups, before of course it's time for everyone to start building their teams for the new campaign :-)
The remaining 7 riders then went on to the GP Challenge where they were joined by the 8 qualifiers from the Semi Finals and Jesper Risager who won his Scandinavian Semi Final with a 15 point maximum but was then denied a chance to compete in the next round because of injury.
5 riders ended the Challenge by either retaining their GP spot or going all the way through the qualification rounds to make themselves permanent members of the series for next season.
This left 2 Wild Card spots to be selected which the GP Management Committee decide on very quickly and we can therefore confirm the lineup for next season's GPs...
TOP 8 FROM THIS SEASON'S SERIES
1. NICK AMBROSE (England) - WORLD CHAMPION
2. LIAM REAY (England)
3. HAYDEN WOOD (England)
4. JONUS SANDIN (Sweden)
5. HANS E BERGESTOL (Norway)
6. SCOTT BRIDGES (Scotland)
7. RYAN IRWIN (Australia)
8. MARTIN SHAW (England)
GP CHALLENGE QUALIFIERS
9. ERIK DAVIDSSON (Sweden)
10. MACIEJ TERCJAK (Poland)
11. DENIS GOMOZOV (Russia)
12. OLEG YELESNEV (Russia)
13. CHRIS ADAMS (England)
WILD CARD PICKS
14. HENRIK HANSEN (Denmark)
15. BRAXTON MCCHESNEY (America)
The Wild Card selections were as always difficult decisions with several riders considered. League performances were taken into account along with age and any GP Wild Card performances in the season among several other factors. One crucial aspect which helped to split the decision was the wish to have as many nations as possible represented in the series so although perhaps a case of luck for some riders it must be remembered that all riders did have a chance to qualify through the GP Challenge meetings of course!
Denmark didn't have a rider in the series with Henrik Hansen and Steen Eriksen being candidates to take a place. It was a very tight call although in the end Hansen was chosen with Eriksen almost certain to receive a GP Wild Card call up during the series and push his claims for a permanent place.
Braxton McChesney won the American Final with a maximum but then was denied his place in the next round due to injury. He has appeared as a Wild Card on several occasions in the past, including an impressive 8 point score this season, and was felt to be due his chance whilst also giving America a representative in the series.
Several other riders were given serious consideration but for most their chance will surely arrive over the next few seasons.
In Sim World we now just await the confirmation of the UL Champions who will face off against the Moscow Moths for the European Cup and then it's all eyes towards the international break, including the World Cups, before of course it's time for everyone to start building their teams for the new campaign :-)