Post by speedway_history on Dec 8, 2008 8:44:23 GMT 1
1..In your own words, can you sum up your season to date?
Best ever, constructive and slightly below full potential.
2..Was the disappointment of being runner-up in the play-offs with Swindon outweighed by winning the Ekstraliga with Leszno?
Without a doubt.
3..Did that win cement your decision to stay with Leszno, or would you have stayed there regardless?
No, I was thinking about changing teams but I have a lot of great friends and sponsors in Leszno so decided to stay put.
4..A lot of people were relieved at your decision to remain in the GPs after a very successful year for you. Do you think Nicki will still be the man to beat, or is there anyone else you'll be keeping an eye on?
Nicki's certainly not the only guy to beat, there's a few others to keep an eye on too.
5..How big a difference do you think switching from Jawa to GM had on your performance in the GPs last season?
Huge. There were a few other aspects that helped towards the difference in my performance this year, but the GM's were certainly a major player.
6..A hard question to ask without sounding a little rude, I'm afraid, but you're no longer in the first flush of youth, yet you're riding better than ever. And you're not alone. There still seems plenty of life left in the tank of the likes of Gollob, Hancock and you could also say Rickardsson could've gone on for years. We seem to have rider longevity that was missing in the 1980s; what do you think is the reason for that?
Lifestyle, fitness and mental approach. Plus you can't buy experience.
7..Would you like to stay with Swindon until the end of your career?
That would be a comfortable ending! Especially since my family live close to Swindon. I am very happy with everything at Swindon; the management etc, so it would suit me, but never say never!
8..There has been some criticism of Damian Balinski when he came in to help Swindon at the end of last season - in my opinion, unjustified. Do you think the results would have been any different had Mads not been injured?
Not sure what the criticism was towards Damian but the guy helped us get to the league final, what more could you ask for from someone who has never ridden in the UK let alone in front of Sky cameras with that kind of pressure? Things may have been different with Mads but we will never know and it wasn't meant to be.
9..What do you think of having one race night per week in England? Would that suit you?
It would certainly lighten the load, depending on what day of the week it was of course. Monday's are always a difficult day to return to England in between Polish and Swedish fixtures, but it's my job and I do what I have to do.
10..There has been plenty of talk over the last few months, and one thing that has been mentioned is having the elite league run without the GP riders. If you had to make the choice between the British league and the GPs what would you choose?
Would Chelsea FC run without John Terry?!
11..What do you think is in the future for you after you retire from racing? Does managing the Australian national team appeal to you?
My future beyond speedway is relaxing for a while in my hometown of Mildura! I have a few business ideas and I would like to move into helping junior speedway with training schemes. I'm not sure about Australian team manager as it would mean spending the season in the UK and my family and I plan to move to Australia on my retirement.
Best ever, constructive and slightly below full potential.
2..Was the disappointment of being runner-up in the play-offs with Swindon outweighed by winning the Ekstraliga with Leszno?
Without a doubt.
3..Did that win cement your decision to stay with Leszno, or would you have stayed there regardless?
No, I was thinking about changing teams but I have a lot of great friends and sponsors in Leszno so decided to stay put.
4..A lot of people were relieved at your decision to remain in the GPs after a very successful year for you. Do you think Nicki will still be the man to beat, or is there anyone else you'll be keeping an eye on?
Nicki's certainly not the only guy to beat, there's a few others to keep an eye on too.
5..How big a difference do you think switching from Jawa to GM had on your performance in the GPs last season?
Huge. There were a few other aspects that helped towards the difference in my performance this year, but the GM's were certainly a major player.
6..A hard question to ask without sounding a little rude, I'm afraid, but you're no longer in the first flush of youth, yet you're riding better than ever. And you're not alone. There still seems plenty of life left in the tank of the likes of Gollob, Hancock and you could also say Rickardsson could've gone on for years. We seem to have rider longevity that was missing in the 1980s; what do you think is the reason for that?
Lifestyle, fitness and mental approach. Plus you can't buy experience.
7..Would you like to stay with Swindon until the end of your career?
That would be a comfortable ending! Especially since my family live close to Swindon. I am very happy with everything at Swindon; the management etc, so it would suit me, but never say never!
8..There has been some criticism of Damian Balinski when he came in to help Swindon at the end of last season - in my opinion, unjustified. Do you think the results would have been any different had Mads not been injured?
Not sure what the criticism was towards Damian but the guy helped us get to the league final, what more could you ask for from someone who has never ridden in the UK let alone in front of Sky cameras with that kind of pressure? Things may have been different with Mads but we will never know and it wasn't meant to be.
9..What do you think of having one race night per week in England? Would that suit you?
It would certainly lighten the load, depending on what day of the week it was of course. Monday's are always a difficult day to return to England in between Polish and Swedish fixtures, but it's my job and I do what I have to do.
10..There has been plenty of talk over the last few months, and one thing that has been mentioned is having the elite league run without the GP riders. If you had to make the choice between the British league and the GPs what would you choose?
Would Chelsea FC run without John Terry?!
11..What do you think is in the future for you after you retire from racing? Does managing the Australian national team appeal to you?
My future beyond speedway is relaxing for a while in my hometown of Mildura! I have a few business ideas and I would like to move into helping junior speedway with training schemes. I'm not sure about Australian team manager as it would mean spending the season in the UK and my family and I plan to move to Australia on my retirement.