Hancock wins, Crump a gutsy fourth

Seasoned campaigner Greg Hancock has turned back time to claim victory in the Czech Speedway Grand Prix in Prague last Saturday (May 28).

The 41-year-old, re-energised after a lean 2010, was only bested once all evening -- to Australian Jason Crump in heat seven -- and left Marketa Stadium with a 6pt lead in the title over defending world champion Tomasz Gollob.

Hancock’s crowning glory was victory in the final over Jaroslaw Hampel, Gollob and Crump, the latter fending off residual pain from a dislocated shoulder sustained in round two.

Hancock, the 1997 world champion, said: “We had a tough run last year, but midway through the season, things really turned around for me. The win in Croatia kicked it off and I found the little bit inside me that was missing.

“It was that desire and there is something about this sport. You’ve got to love what you do and I’ve found that love for speedway again.

“I feel really, really good. Maybe I am riding better than I ever have. I’ve had some great years and 1997 was an amazing year for me too.

“I don’t like to compare. This is a new thing and a new era. Everything is completely different. But I’m still trying to find the right way and be the fastest guy on the track.”

Crump is now eighth in the standings after three rounds, three spots behind compatriot Chris Holder, who was eliminated at the semi-final stage in Prague.

“I must thank the Lindkoping ice hockey team in Sweden for all their help in getting me back on track,” Crump said.   “Although I’m still not yet fully fit, their help in my recovery process is greatly appreciated.

“I am pleased with my performance and happy that I made it to the final – however I drew gate three in the final against Hancock, Gollob and Hampel.

“I got clamped between the two Poles in the first turn and my chances were lost - Hancock had gone and won convincingly so congratulations to him on a great result.

“I have spent a lot of time testing different engines and settings and feel we have made some progress so it’s good to be moving forward. There is still a long way to go in the Series and I have a lot of hard work ahead of me - my focus will be on one Grand Prix at a time and closing the gap on the leaders.”

Meanwhile, in other speedway news, an inspired performance from the nation’s best young stars has seen Australia book a berth in the Team Speedway Under 21 World Championship for the first time.

The quintet of Aussie stars led by Darcy Ward was near unstoppable, scoring points in 24 of the 25 heats to record a total of 63pts to qualify as the top ranked nation in their semi-final held in Germany.

The team was made up of Ward, Josh Grajczonek, Richard Sweetman, Sam Masters and Justin Sedgmen. Ward, the two-time under 21 world Champion, top scored for the Aussie team with a perfect 15pts from five heats, with Grajczonek almost as stunning as his teammate with 14.

The 2011 Team Speedway Under 21 World Championship final takes place in Balakovo, Russia on Saturday, September 3.

CZECH SGP SCORES: Greg Hancock 23, Jaroslaw Hampel 19, Tomasz Gollob 17, Jason Crump 13, Chris Holder 9, Nicki Pedersen 9, Kenneth Bjerre 9, Freddie Lindgren 9, Andreas Jonsson 8, Rune Holta 7, Emil Sayfutdinov 6, Antonio Lindback 6, Matej Kus 3, Chris Harris 3, Artem Laguta 2, Janusz Kolodziej 1, Lukas Dryml 0, Zdenek Simota 0.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (AFTER THREE ROUNDS): 1 Hancock 47, 2 Gollob 41, 3 Hampel 36, 4 Pedersen 30, 5 Holder 28, 6 Sayfutdinov 28, 7 Lindgren 26, 8 Crump 24, 9 Bjerre 21, 10 Jonsson 19, 11 Kolodziej 18, 12 Holta 17, 13 Lindback 16, 14 Harris 14, 15 Thomas H Jonsson 8, 16 Damian Balinski 4, 17 Laguta 3, 18 Kus 3, 19 Simon Gustafsson 1.