Soundbites: 29th July 2005

Nicholls	Pedersen

"We need to win on Sunday night to qualify straight to the final, though if we don't and have to go to the race-off at Wroclaw next Thursday, then so be it. It would be a big psychological boost for us if we were to reach the final without the need for the race-off and that's the plan. Denmark are the team we will have to beat but the Czechs and Russians can't be underestimated. The Czechs put us out in 2002 in the race-off at Peterborough and the Russians could easily be spoilers at a big track like Swindon."
Team GB skipper Scott Nicholls on the World Cup

"We believe Henrik has a lot of potential, and I would ask the fans to be a little patient because myself, Neil Street and Tony Atkin all believe that this is the right thing to do."
Tim Stone on Newport new boy Henrik Vedel - Drafted in to replace Craig Watson

"Edinburgh were in brilliant form when they came to our place but they're now having to cope with various injury problems. Reaching the play-offs remains a clear target for ourselves, hopefully with a bit to spare, and any league points we can pick up at Edinburgh will put us in an even better mood for Sunday's huge local derby at Brough Park against the leaders Berwick."
George English of Newcastle looks forward to the weekend action

"It was exciting for the spectators but for the 32 riders it was a greasy track with overtaking at times, impossible. You needed a good start and then had to hang on to it. Half the riders were in the dry and half weren't, which made it very difficult all night. We were cramped, cold and wet. Seemond and I were next to each other - guess whether we were under cover or not! Trouble is, that's the sport here and it will never change."
Mark Lemon on the Champions' Chase at King's Lynn

"I was ready to move on at the end of last season, but Ian Thomas talked me into staying and I'm glad I did. One of the reasons I wanted to go was that I haven't won as much at club level in my career as I'd have liked. I want to be riding in the big end-of-season play-off meetings and cup finals and this year we've a chance of doing that. Tony Mole and Ian have done a great job since they took over because now we've got a great track to race on and a very competitive team."
Jason Crump - Delighted to still be with Belle Vue

"We should have won at Workington although I will hold my hands up and say that at Newcastle on Sunday, we were beaten by a better team on the night. I am very disappointed not to have returned south with some points. While I don't want to say too much at this stage, I can tell you now there could well be some changes shortly."
Islanders' promoter Dave Pavitt

"The Brits are going to be very tough opponents and will have the advantage of being at home. But, ultimately, it will be down to how well riders can perform on the day. If we have a good meeting, we can win but, likewise, if Team GB do well, they will take victory."
Denmark's Bjarne Pedersen on Sunday's World Cup qualifier

"Cameron got 14 paid 16 on his last visit with Edinburgh, so I reckon that's pretty good. A lot of other riders were either racing already or fell foul of the eight-day rule. Stoke and Workington were also chasing guests."
Hull boss Dave Peet explains why Cam Woodward will guest for Garry Stead on Saturday

"I am so happy, this was a tough event to win. It is good for Somerset as well, because we are not having a great season."
'Zorro' on his victory in the Champions' Chase

"It was the lowest point for me since I have been involved in the management side at Blunsdon. It was a very disappointing performance. We only really had two riders in Leigh and Charlie. The rest of them all struggled badly. I know they are going well at the moment but I thought we might be able to keep it close. It looks like the tie is all over now with 29 points to pull back."
Alun Rossiter on Swindon's 61-32 cup defeat at Belle Vue on Wednesday

"It is vital to have quality assets in the Elite League and myself and Colin have identified several possible candidates. We can consider ourselves very fortunate to have been able to get riders like Lee Richardson and Peter Karlsson in the past two years. When you aren't blessed with your own assets, you have to rely on signing riders who cannot be fitted into their parent clubs. We do have a number of young riders with great potential, while others will never progress beyond the Conference League and Premier League."
Trevor Swales - Hoping to increase the Panthers' asset base

"Mildenhall won the treble last season and tonight should show us whether we're good enough to do the same. We're in the semi-finals of both the Conference Trophy and Knock Out Cup competitions, but the league is the one that really counts. The Fen Tigers aren't quite the force they were in 2004, but they are still a very good speedway team. We beat them 56-37 in the Trophy a few weeks ago but I would certainly take nothing for granted against them. Certainly we are good enough to beat them home or away, but they are not the sort of side you can relax against because they'll soon take advantage if you do."
Brian White welcomes Mildenhall to Weymouth tonight

"My first two races were pretty bad, however my third and fourth outings left me a lot happier. I was on the pace and kept up with the others. I made a couple of decent starts and now I'm hoping I'm slowly getting back into things." Physically and psychologically I've definitely been struggling. I had done some second half races - but when it came to a full league meeting, I haven't coped as well as I thought I would."
Robert Ksiezak on his performance at Berwick and his comeback from injury

"Oxford may be bottom of the league but we mustn't take victory for granted and that is the message that will be preached in the build-up to the opening heat. They are not a bottom of the league side and must be treated as dangerous opponents. We must guard against taking opponents too lightly between now and the end of the campaign. Second spot in the table is very much a genuine target but we know to achieve that we must win all our remaining home matches."
Coventry manager Peter Oakes on tonight's match with the Silver Machine

"I'll give every meeting 100 per cent and I'm really looking forward to this move. The ball is in my court and I want to give it my best."
New Stoke Potter - Adam Allott

"I've gone for Sheffield's Sean Wilson for the home match. He always flies around Derwent Park and he is a similar sort of battling rider to Stoney. Indeed I spoke with Stoney about which guests to use and he agrees that Sean will be the ideal replacement for our home meeting. James is having a fine year with Newcastle and earlier in the season he went to Stoke with them and came away with a 15-point maximum, so he has certainly shown that he knows his way around the place. Again Stoney agreed that from who was available James was the man for the job at Stoke on Saturday."
Graham Drury explains his choice of guests for the weekend

This article was first published on 29th July 2005

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