Hancock wins in NZ, Crump fourth

World speedway champion Greg Hancock made a sensational start to his title defence after winning the inaugural FIM New Zealand SGP in Auckland on March 31.

The American triumphed in the final at Western Springs Raceway ahead of world No.2 Jaroslaw Hampel, Danish hotshot Nicki Pedersen and Australian favourite Jason Crump.

Hancock leads the championship on 22pts, from Hampel (18), Tomasz Gollob (15), Pedersen (13), Antonio Lindback (13) and Crump (12).

Crump, a three-time world champion, only scraped into semi-final action after a scratchy performance in the heats, but then stormed into contention when he won his semi-final ahead of Hancock, with Hampel and Pedersen going 1-2 in the other.

But the final belonged to Hancock, who has now won both world speedway rounds in the Southern Hemisphere -- Sydney in 2002 and now Auckland. But despite the rollercoaster outing, Crump wasn't too despondent with his effort.

"I had some good heats, some tough heats and unfortunately missed out on a podium place at the end of the night," said Crump. "With my first match of the year being a Grand Prix it was never going to be easy to mix it up from the offset but I'm fairly happy with the result I've come away with.

"Thanks to everyone who came from Aussie and all over the world to support the speedway here tonight, it was a great atmosphere and I look forward to returning next year to this great race track."

Australia’s second rider, Chris Holder, was never in the hunt, finishing 13th overall in round one.

The championship now returns to more traditional surrounds in Poland on April 28.