Riders
Ryan Sullivan 8.20
Bjarne Pedersen 8.15
Antonio Lindback 7.58
Matej Ferjan 6.45
Krzysztof Kasprzak 4.90
Ricky Ashworth 3.82 (double-up)
Edward Kennett (double-up)
Ray Morton 3.27
Tobias Johansson (replaced Morton mid-season)
Tomas Suchanek (replaced Johansson August)
Grzegorz Walasek (replaced Sullivan September)
Robert Kosciecha (replaced Suchank September)
Despite occupying a top-two spot for the majority of the season, Poole slipped to fifth and missed the playoffs by 2 points during a disastrous spell of 8 consecutive defeats in four-weeks from mid-August. This included three narrow home defeats by 2, 1 and 2 points. Everything went against the Pirates; Ryan Sullivans' form was waning and he eventually capitulated to an energy-sapping illness that curtailed his season. Then as the Poole management made team changes, Grzegorz Walasek was refused permission to ride at the 11th hour by his Polish club leaving Poole to field a a Premier League junior rider in the final two fixtures.
The season was not quite over as Poole were awarded a place in the Craven Shield semi-final courtesy of a single point match scores advantage over Arena Essex as rain put paid to Poole staging the final group meeting. Poole then dominated the final leg of the three-team semi-final at Coventry to clinch a final spot. Again their efforts were hampered by a broken wrist for Krzysztof Kasprzak that ended his season before the semi-finals, but he was duly replaced by Adam Shields in 2 matches and Mark Loram at Coventry.
Luck finally ran out as the Pirates trailed home last in the three-leg three-team final, as Oxford overcame Eastbourne by a single point to win the trophy.
Rider assessments:
Ryan Sullivan - was never back to his best of a few seasons ago and eventually beaten by a mystery illness (Average -0.78)
Bjarne Pedersen - became number 1 by virtue of consistent performances. Maybe still not an out & out number 1 but growing in stature year-on-year, and finished 6th in the individual GP series (+0.30)
Antonio Lindback - set the early GPs alight then struggled a bit later on, though always in the mix. Some may consider his league 2005 form disappointing but as is often the case, a second full-year can be the most difficult as a rider tries to consolidate on what (in Ant's case) was an exceptional previous year. This year will surely strengthen Ant's resolve and preparation to improve in 2005 (-0.80)
Matej Ferjan - the enigma once again, strong at home, weak away from home, and inconsistent (-0.93)
Krzysztof Kasprzak - rider of the season. Started like a jet plane and carried the form through 2/3rds of the season. A late blip where he struggled with bikes and then sidelined with a broken wrist after the league fixtures were complete (+2.74)
Ricky Ashworth - disappointing in that he seemed no better at the end of the season, to how he was at the start. Was given many meetings to establish some form at home in particular but struggled. (-0.30)
Eddie Kennett - seem by many as one of the outstanding yound Brits. He had fewer outings at home but had some exceptinoal away performances (+1.40???)
Ray Morton - out of his depth as expected (-0.13)
Tobias Johansson - replaced Morton, and never exceeded the poor form previously shown during a spell at Belle Vue (2.09)
Tomas Suchanek - replaced Johansson and never got going, despite some encouraging international performances (1.34)
Grzegorz Walasek - late arrival, brought in with Robert Kosciecha to replace Suchnaek and Sullivan). Toke no part in Elite League but scored useful points in Craven Shield
Robert Kosciecha - immediate impression in his debut at Swindon. Many were sorry he did not arrive earlier!
Next yearLast Updated : 09/10/05