Post by sheffielddons on Aug 4, 2015 13:47:32 GMT
The GP Committee have announced that the first Wildcard pick of the year has been awarded to Russian rider Boris Dvoynev.
An official statement read:
"With the restructuring of the leagues this year it means more fans can take an interest in the GP series with the standards of the divisions much closer meaning riders outside the UL are more than able to compete at the highest level now.
Whilst we think that is fantastic the GP Committee would like to point out that the selection of Boris Dvoynev as Wildcard for the first GP of the new series is most definitely not a novelty pick and is very much earned on merit.
One change this season is that the Wildcard will not just reward a 'home' based rider for each GP but take into account current form for everyone, regardless of nationality.
Several riders were considered with Boris just taking the majority vote. Young Sam McCurdy came into the thinking after making a bright start to the season and Jens Prydtz has also rattled up some big early scores and both will be in the reckoning for a pick before the end of the season if they can maintain their form. A couple of older riders were discussed, such as Treadwell, Black and Verner, but at this stage we wanted to focus on younger riders trying to make their way to the full-time GPs for the first time. That is not to say we won't consider giving a spot to a rider of any age later in the series as the GP Qualifier progress.
We already have a permanent GP member from the Power League in the shape of Stockport's Maciej Tercjak and Ryan Irwin is based in Europe, with Oslo, at the moment so it's a very exciting time for the series. One other name mentioned for a future Wildcard pick was young Vladislav Akumbaev, who is currently riding for Tilbury Dockers in the Evolution League. It would be very exciting to think we could see a rider from the third tier of UK speedway taking part at some stage although as with Boris's selection any choices will be based solely on performances on the track.
Meanwhile we wish Boris all the best for his big moment in the North American GP. He is a rider more than capable of becoming a full time GP performer in the near future and he will desperately want to take his chance to show he belongs on the highest stage in the sport whatever league he is currently competing in."
An official statement read:
"With the restructuring of the leagues this year it means more fans can take an interest in the GP series with the standards of the divisions much closer meaning riders outside the UL are more than able to compete at the highest level now.
Whilst we think that is fantastic the GP Committee would like to point out that the selection of Boris Dvoynev as Wildcard for the first GP of the new series is most definitely not a novelty pick and is very much earned on merit.
One change this season is that the Wildcard will not just reward a 'home' based rider for each GP but take into account current form for everyone, regardless of nationality.
Several riders were considered with Boris just taking the majority vote. Young Sam McCurdy came into the thinking after making a bright start to the season and Jens Prydtz has also rattled up some big early scores and both will be in the reckoning for a pick before the end of the season if they can maintain their form. A couple of older riders were discussed, such as Treadwell, Black and Verner, but at this stage we wanted to focus on younger riders trying to make their way to the full-time GPs for the first time. That is not to say we won't consider giving a spot to a rider of any age later in the series as the GP Qualifier progress.
We already have a permanent GP member from the Power League in the shape of Stockport's Maciej Tercjak and Ryan Irwin is based in Europe, with Oslo, at the moment so it's a very exciting time for the series. One other name mentioned for a future Wildcard pick was young Vladislav Akumbaev, who is currently riding for Tilbury Dockers in the Evolution League. It would be very exciting to think we could see a rider from the third tier of UK speedway taking part at some stage although as with Boris's selection any choices will be based solely on performances on the track.
Meanwhile we wish Boris all the best for his big moment in the North American GP. He is a rider more than capable of becoming a full time GP performer in the near future and he will desperately want to take his chance to show he belongs on the highest stage in the sport whatever league he is currently competing in."