Crump racing against time for Denmark

An act of benevolence may live to haunt Australian world speedway star Jason Crump.

The Australian is battling to be fit for round four of the championship this Saturday night in Denmark after injuries sustained at the last grand prix in Sweden when he laid his bike down to avoid serious injury to fallen Russian rider Emil Sayfutdinov.

Crump knew his hand wasn't in good shape, but he returned for the rerun and finished second behind Sayfutdinov.

Only when he got back to his home base in England did he find out that he had broken several bones in is right hand, as well as suffering serious ligament damage to two fingers.

"Each day the swelling is going down and my hand is recovering well," said Crump.  "We have had a special Kevlar-lined glove made to accommodate the swelling and the bent fingers, and my specialist feels that I will be able to ride with little or no discomfort.

"Either way, I will definitely be riding. Once the adrenalin gets going, there should be no immediate pain and I do not intend going to Denmark just to get points, I am going there to win and bag as many points as I can.

"Keep your fingers crossed for me, because I can't do that at the moment!"

Crump was due to compete in a Swedish league match today, but he will sit that out as a precaution ahead of the grand prix at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg.

Crump leads the championship by 6pts (52 to 46) from the hard-charging Sayfutdinov, who has won two of the opening three rounds.

Andreas Jonsson (39pts) is third from defending champion Nicki Pedersen (34) and veteran Greg Hancock (31). It's been a hapless campaign for Aussie Leigh Adams, who is languishing in ninth on 22pts.

For all the information you need on the world speedway title, click here.

Postrcript: Crump will be fit for the Danish GP after reeling off a 15pt maximum in a Polish league match on June 11. Crump's imperious form helped his Wroclaw team defeat Zielona Gora 46-43.