PLRC Preview
Posted 14/09/04This weekend sees the Premier League Riders Championship at Owlerton with Shane Parker Glasgows representative.
The Sheffield track is often critisised for its 'home' advantage and lack of passing. It has also recently come in for a bit of critisism for its condition in league meetings so it will be interesting to see how the top riders in the league fare.
Shane will no doubt feel he has something to prove after a recent dip in form including a guest appearance for Sheffield at Owlerton plagued with engine problems-he ended up riding a bike set up for Newport apparently. Although capable of reaching the final it will be a tall order for the Glasgow man to win although it is not impossible.
It is hard to see past Simon Stead for the title. He is flying at the moment and scored a maximum at the track a week ago. Probably the only person who can beat Stead is Stead himself as one fault he does occassionally have is taking an excessive risk if under pressure.
It is a shame that another young rider in his last season in the PL, Rory Schlein is not there to challenge. Instead Edinburgh are represented by Frede Schott who is unlikely to make any realistic challenge.
Home riders always have an advantage and Andre Compton is no exception. He has recently found some excellent form round Owlerton and will probably be pushing for a final place as may Readings Danny Bird. Known to like the Sheffield track, he has done well there in the past.
Craig Watson was largely overlooked for the Premier Chase at Kings Lynn this year and proved everyone wrong by winning it. He doesn't look likely to produce a repeat performance at the PLRC but shouldn't be under estimated.
Another Aussie not to be overlooked is Newcastle's Jason Lyons who has been re-juvenated since dropping back down to the PL. Fellow countryman Craig Boyce may also fancy his chances on the fast Sheffield circuit and could mount a challenge for the title.
There is always an 'outsider' does well in these kind of meetings and the obvious choice for the outsider this year is Berwicks Adam Pietraszko. The eratic young Pole has become almost a cult hero with the Bandits fans since arriving this season and has ridden well at Owlerton.
It seems very unlikely that League Champions will also have the PLRC winner in their ranks with Magnus Karlsson their representative. Not meant as a disrespectful comment to young Magnus but more an appreciation of Hulls all round team effort in winning the league.
Of the remaining challengers, Chris Neath has been errratic at PL level this year. Although you would expect Tom Topinka to do well at the larger tracks he was disappointing at Owlerton at the beginning of September. Sad to say its unlikely that Jan Staechmann, Mark Lemon or Glenn Cunningham will do any more than make up the numbers representing their respective teams.
It does have the makings of a very entertaining meeting however and the action is set to start at 7.30pm. For those unable to travel, the meeting is scheduled to be shown live on Sky Sports 3, again from 7.30pm
Good Luck Shane!
The current odds for the PLRC are as follows:
Simon Stead Carl Stonehewer Jason Lyons Andre Compton Craig Watson Shane Parker Danny Bird Craig Boyce Tom Topinka Adam Pietraszko Mark Lemon Frede Schott Magnus Karlsson Chris Neath Jan Staechmann Glenn Cunningham
2004 Home Rider of the Year
2004 Away Rider of the Year
