Racing: Crump leads world speedway by 17pts

Jason Crump will take a 17pt lead into the final Speedway Grand Prix of 2009 at Bydgoszcz in Poland on October 17.

The Aussie bit the bullet to battle through the pain barrier at an absorbing Italian Grand Prix at Terenzano, bravely bagging 4pts in the penultimate round of this year’s championship, despite being in severe pain following a recent skin graft operation.

“The doctors cleared me to ride but the pain was so intense and the lack of strength made it almost impossible,” said Crump.

“But those 4pts could end up being the difference at the end. I just hope that a little luck falls my way and riders like Hancock, Pedersen, Andersen and co have outstanding performances in Bydgoszcz which will make my job a bit easier.

“I will be receiving daily treatment at the hospital in Northampton and working out in the gym each day so I hope that I am fully fit in time.  I am so close but yet so far away and winning a third World Championship is my ultimate goal right now.”

Crump, who suffered serious burns less than two weeks ago while riding for his British speedway team, Belle Vue, started the night with a 26pt lead over Emil Sayfutdinov, but the Russian teenager lost the chance to make up significant ground when he finished last in the second semi-final.

Tomasz Gollob, who began the night in third place overall, had no problems in winning the first semi-final, and his victory in the final ahead of Hans Andersen, Nicki Pedersen and Grzegorz Walasek leapfrogged the Pole ahead of Sayfutdinov into second spot.

Crump, with three weeks to recover before the final GP, is still odds on to clinch his third world crown, but there is added spice in that Gollob traditionally rules the roost at Bydgoszcz -- and it is also Sayfutdinov’s home circuit in Poland.

However Gollob admitted afterwards: “Seven points, maybe no problem, but 17 is too much. And Jason deserves to be world champion. But I will do my best in Bydgoszcz – it’s my home town and my favourite track.”

ITALIAN RESULTS
Tomasz Gollob (Poland) 23, Hans Andersen (Denmark) 18, Nicki Pedersen (Denmark) 12, Grzegorz Walasek (Poland) 13, Andreas Jonsson (Sweden) 12, Emil Sayfutdinov (Russia) 11, Chris Harris (Great Britain) 11, Rune Holta (Poland) 8, Greg Hancock (USA) 7, Scott Nicholls (Great Britain) 6, Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden) 6, Kenneth Bjerre (Denmark) 5, Jason Crump (Australia) 4, Leigh Adams (Australia) 3, Sebastian Ulamek (Poland) 3, Guglielmo Franchetti (Italy) 2.

CURRENT SANDINGS (AFTER ROUND 1O OF 11)
Crump 150, Gollob 133, Sayfutdinov 131, Hancock 113, Jonsson 104, Pedersen 92, Bjerre 90, Andersen 88, Lindgren 88, Holta 85, Adams 66, Walasek 63, Harris 59, Ulamek 59, Nicholls 41, *Antonio Lindback (Sweden) 27, *Niels-Kristian Iversen (Denmark) 20, *Jarek Hampel (Poland) 9, *Matej Zagar (Slovenia) 7, Grigory Laguta (Russia) 6, *Edward Kennett (Great Britain) 4, *Guglielmo Franchetti (Italy) 2, *Matej Kus (Czech Republic) 1.