SPEEDWAY: EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX PRESS RELEASE

RICKARDSSON PUTS DOWN HIS MARKER

TONY RICKARDSSON produced an awesome performance to win the opening Grand Prix of the 2005 season, and then revealed that he almost pulled out before it started. Rickardsson was in such pain with a back injury two days before the FIM Dominet European Speedway Grand Prix that he was prepared to withdraw rather than risk long-term damage. But after curtailing his practice sessions on Friday, Rickardsson went through the card at Wroclaw … seven wins from seven rides, and with it his 15th Grand Prix victory. Rickardsson never seemed in danger of losing his grip on the event and he took top spot on the rostrum ahead of Australia’s Leigh Adams and defending World Champion Jason Crump. Fourth was Grand Prix debutant Antonio Lindback of Sweden. Rickardsson, Adams and Crump all voiced their approval of the new Grand Prix format which now sees each of the 16 riders having five rides to qualify for the semi finals. “I didn’t mind the old system,” admitted Rickardsson, who has won the World Championship five times, “but at least now you are rewarded with winning rides by having choice of gates in the semis and final. “I am so pleased to have got through the meeting. I was very worried before the start but it is tough having seven rides … I would not have wanted an eighth!” Adams had to battle his way to the semi-finals and then needed a dramatic last bend dash round Poland’s Jaroslaw Hampel to clinch his place in the final. “It was a tough night and it is back to the drawing board as far as my gating is concerned,” he said. “But I do prefer the new system and we got out of jail by getting to the final so I have to be pleased with second place.” Crump agreed with his fellow Aussie. “Maybe this wasn’t the perfect way to start the defence of my World title but I had my worst meeting of 2004 in Wroclaw last year so third isn’t so bad.” Young Lindback did remarkable well to reach the final and looked set for third overall until passed by Crump on the last lap. Rickardsson led the qualifiers with 15 points but Crump, after opening with two wins, then had a last and needed to get his act together again. “There is always the chance of running a last,” said Crump, “but at least with five rides you can fight your way back.” It was a disappointing night for the English duo of Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson, both of who failed to finish in the top eight – and qualify for the semis – but the biggest shock was Polish superstar Tomasz Gollob who managed only six points from his five rides.

Grand Prix points: T.Rickardsson (Sweden) 25, L.Adams (Australia) 20, J.Crump (Australia) 18, A.Lindback (Sweden) 16, G.Hancock (USA) 11, N.Pedersen (Denmark) 10, J.Hampel (Poland) 10, A.Jonsson (Sweden) 8, R.Sullivan (Australia) 7, T.Gollob (Poland) 6, S.Nicholls (Great Britain) 6, L.Richardsson (Great Britain) 5, B.Pedersen (Denmark) 4, T.Chrzanowski (Poland) 4, K.Kasprzak (Poland) 4, H.Andersen (Denmark) 2.