Monthly Archives: April 2012
Holder: “Whole Team Pulled Together”
Poole number one Chris Holder was delighted after he led his side to a superb away victory at Wolves courtesy of a last heat 5-1 with his Aussie compatriot. “It’s great man, it was a tough meeting, myself and Darcy had some problems and didn’t get too many points but the whole team pulled together and to get it to a last heat decider was really good. To be honest with you we were just looking to get a draw or any points but to get that 5-1 in the last one was just perfect”.
The Australian international was pleased to have ended the meeting as he started it, with a win, but he was not entirely happy with the middle part of his night. “My meeting was sort of up and down. I had a good start to my meeting winning my first ride, but it was tough next time out, I got a bit close to my partner and got excluded, and then got a third behind him but the last couple were good, so it was OK”.
Holder had no arguments with his heat 6 exclusion for knocking off Ty Proctor, admitting he didn’t leave the Wolves man much room. “The exclusion decision in my second ride was the right one, things just got a little tight behind and we didn’t touch each other but yes I didn’t give him enough room. Sometimes those ones go for you and sometimes they don’t.”
After some heavy rain in the last week, Holder was pleased with the preparation of the Monmore Green track. “The track was good. Considering the amount of rain they have had they did a great job, it was a little tough to start with but it got better towards the end.”
Holder securd a stunning win in the European Grand Prix at Leszno, and he is still over the moon with his third Grand Prix win. “The win at Leszno was awesome, it was a really good feeling. Its quite difficult to come here and try and race again after being on such a high. It was such a good meeting, I was happy with the points I got and now I am just looking forward to the next Grand Prix.”
Now, Holder is looking to carry that form on in the Grand Prix’s, with focus already on Prague in two weeks time. “I’m just lookin to go up now, I am in 5th now but you have got to make every Grand Prix count so now I am going to put a lot of focus on Prague and and hopefully I’ll make the final again.”
Lindgren: “We Really Need to Get Going”
Wolves skipper Freddie Lindgren was left very frustrated after his side were defeated by a last heat 5-1 at home to Poole- despite having lead the meeting for long periods.”It’s always disappointing to lose. It was a last heat decider to win or to lose and we lost out to the two Aussies so we are not happy with that”
Number one Lindgren top scored with 12 points from 5 rides, and the Grand Prix star was pretty happy with his performance over the course of the evening. “Apart from the last heat I think I did pretty good today”
The Wolves track staff did a fantastic job to get the meeting on after heavy periods of rain across the country over the past week, and Freddie was full of praise for the surface that Doc Bridget and his team prepared. “I was pleased with the track, it was a lot better than I thought. I thought that when I came here it would be very deep and difficult to ride but it was nice all the way around. It was a little bit more slick than usual but the track was good”.
Lindgren found himself just missing out on the semi finals on the countback as he took part in the European Grand Prix at Leszno on Saturday, and he is now looking to up his game on the World stage. “The Grand Prix at the weekend was ok, but I really need to be getting a few more points to be up with the big boys. I am down in 9th place at the moment and I need to try and do a bit better”.
However, at Wolvrhampton the Swede feels the team now really need to try and push on and try and move up the league table. “Here at Wolves we really need to get going pretty soon, we can’t afford to get a long way behind, and we really need to fight back and get more points for the league table and start hitting some form really soon”.
Poole Snatch Thrilling Away Win
The Poole Pirates snatched a wonderful 43-47 away victory from Wolves courtesy of a sublime heat 15 5-1 from Chris Holder and Darcy Ward.
Poole looked set to take the early initiative as Holder and Kling gated on a 5-1, but a fall from Kling on lap 3 ensured Wolves secured a 3-3.
It was the visitors who made sure they went ahead in the next race though, as Ludvig Lindgren, returning to his old club, hunted down Ricky Wells to take the win and a 4-2 with Kurtz just holding off Sowka for third.
After a 3-3 next time out, the hosts drew level courtesy of a great ride from Nicolai Klindt to defeat Kling in a rerun after Holder had been excluded following a tight second bend on lap 2 that saw Proctor fall.
There was another fall next time out, with Pontus Aspgren clipping the fence and going down heavily, giving Freddie Lindgren a second chance after his brother Ludvig had blasted clear from the gate, which the older brother duly took to ensure the scores remained level.
Controversy ensued in heat 7 though, as a clash between young guns Woffinden and Ward on the first lap caused the latter to retire with bike problems and allowed Dennis Andersson to take a commanding victory for the Pirates.
Two 3-3′s followed with Lindgren first getting the better of Ward and then Woffinden getting the better of Holder, before an action packed heat 12 followed. Initially, Dane Klindt led Ward from the gate, but he picked up a bit of dirt and took a heavy fall which saw him injure his shoulder and be forced out of the meeting.
That left reserve Ricky Wells alone in the rerun, and after the Pirates duo of Ward and Lindgren made the gate his hopes looked bleak. However, the American would not hold back, and after breaking the team riding of the Pirates with a pass on Lindgren on turn 1 of the last lap, he got the better of Ward down the back straight to take a sublime victory.
Fredrik Lindgren then won heat 13 ahead of Holder and Miedzinski, but Woffinden was left trailing at the back after a tough first bend. The visitors then pulled level with just one heat to go as Ludvig Lindgren bounced back to ride home a 5-1 with Andersson over Proctor and Wells, leaving a last heat decider to come.
There was even more drama in store, and after Woffinden got squeezed out again on turn 1 of the final race, leaving Wolves hopes mainly resting on Lindgren. The Swede managed to pass Holder to take the lead on the back-straight of the opening lap, but the Poole duo squeezed past going onto lap two and team rode home for a sensational 4 points victory.
SCORES
Wolverhampton Wolves
1. Freddie Lindgren – 2 , 3 , 3 , 3 , 1 = 12
2. Pontus Aspgren – 1′ , F/X , 1 , 0 = 2+1
3. Nicolai Klindt – 2 , 3 , 3 , F/X = 8 (Withdrawn)
4. Tyron Proctor – 1′ , 1 , 1 , 1 = 4+1
5. Tai Woffinden – 3 , 2 , 3 , 0 , 0 = 8
6. Ricky Wells – 2 , LS , 3 , 0 , 3 , 0 = 8
7. Lukasz Sowka – 0 , 0 , 1′ , = 1+1
Poole Pirates
1. Chris Holder – 3 , X , 1′ , 2 , 3 = 9+1
2. Ricky Kling – F , 2 , 2 , 2 = 6
3. Darcy Ward – 3 , R , 2 , 2 , 2′ = 9+1
4. Dennis Andersson – 0 , 3 , 1′ , 2′ = 6+2
5. Adrian Miedzinski – 2 , 2 , 2 , 1′ = 7+1
6. Ludvig Lindgren – 3 . 1′ , 0 , 1′ , 3 = 8+1
7. Todd Kurtz – 1 , 1′ , 0 = 2+1
Holder Reigns in Leszno
Poole Pirates Aussie Chris Holder bounced back from a disappointing New Zealand Grand Prix to snatch victory in a thrilling European Grand Prix in Leszno.
It was World Champion Greg Hancock who followed on from his victory in New Zealand by holding off Emil Sayfutdinov for victory in heat 1, before home favourite Jarek Hampel won a thrilling heat 2 where all the action lay in second and third. Two previous World Champions in the form of Gollob and Pedersen traded places, before Pedersen eventually got the better of the Pole down the inside on the run to the line.
Leszno rider and wildcard Przemyslaw Pawlicki then took a superb win over Wolves rider Freddie Lindgren the next time out, before Kenneth Bjerre won his first ride ahead of Jason Crump and Brit Chris Harris with Holder trailing at the back.
Peter Ljung then took a shock victory ahead of Hans Andersen who nicked second from Lindgren on the line, with Chris Harris having a disappointing engine failure at the back.
Holder bounced back straight away in his second ride as he defeated Hancock and Hampel in heat 6, before fans favourite Pawlicki again reigned supreme, this time cleverly holding off Sayfutdinov, Bjerre and Pedersen.
Swede Andreass Jonsson then looked good as he romped to victory ahead of Crump and Bjarne Pedersen with Gollob left at the back and on only 1 point from 2 rides.
The third round of races then began with a win for Crump as he fought off Hampel and Pawlicki, and Bjerre then took his second three points ahead of Hancock. There was a brilliant race in store next time out, with a lot of action at the back behind Gollob who returned to winning ways with a dominant win from the gate. Holder, Sayfutdinov and Lindgren were trading places at the back, and after passing Sayfutdinov, Lindgren went for a blast around the outside of Holder on turn 1 going onto the last lap but went in a little to fast and fell onto the shale.
Jonsson then dominated again in his next ride, with Nicki Pedersen in second, but there was yet more frustration for Chris Harris who suffered a second engine failure.
Nicki Pedersen was out again for his fourth ride and he took the chequered flag with Holder in second place. Gollob and Hancock then had a colossal heat 14 battle, with Gollob eventually prevailing, whilst Harris bounced back to defeat the fast Pawlicki to third.
Crump took his second victory in 15, whilst Lindback and Andersen finished ahead of Sayfutdinov to dash the Russians semi-final aspiration. Jonsson was then looking very fast again as he defeated countryman Lindgren, with Hampel struggling a little in third, before Gollob took another win to catapult himself towards the semi-finals in heat 17.
Lindgren then kept his slim semi-final hopes alive with a brilliant victory over Nicki Pedersen, Crump and Hancock, before Hampel booked his semi-final ticket with a win over Sayfutdinov that ended the Russians chances. In the final heat of the night, Holder stormed to the chequered flag, with Andersen and Jonsson in second and third respectively, whilst Pawlicki failed to make the semi-finals with a last place.
After the 20 heats, Crump, Holder and Jonsson lay top with 11 points, chased by Polish duo Hampel and Gollob on 10. Nicki Pedersen and Greg Hancock also made it through on ten, with Bjerre completing the line-up on the count-back ahead of the unfortunate Lindgren.
Holder and Jonsson were the first to book tickets to the final, with Pedersen and Hancock sent packing.
Polish pair Hampel and Gollob then sent the home fans into raptures as they held off Crump and Bjerre to complete the final line-up.
The thousands viewing across the globe were then treated to a speedway master-class in the final. Gollob was the man who stormed to the front on the first lap, only for home favourite Hampel to move back ahead on the second lap. Gollob then pushed his fellow Pole right to the fence, allowing Holder to shoot into second behind Gollob. On the final lap Holder then managed to race past Gollob on the straight to take victory, with Hampel just failing top return the compliment on Gollob on the charge to the line.
SCORES
1. Peter Ljung (Sweden) – 0, 3, 0, 1, 2 = 6
2. Greg Hancock (USA) – 3, 2, 2, 2, 0 = 9 + EF = 9
3. Emil Sayfutdinov (Russia) – 2, 2, 1, 0, 2 = 7
4. Andreas Jonsson (Sweden) – 1, 3, 3, 3, 1 = 11 + 2 + 0 = 13
5. Hans Andersen (Denmark) – 0, 2, 0, 1, 2 = 5
6. Jaroslaw Hampel (Poland) – 3, 1, 2, 1, 3 = 10 + 3 + 2 = 15
7. Nicki Pedersen (Denmark) – 2, 0, 2, 3, 2 = 9 + 1 = 10
8. Tomasz Gollob (Poland) – 1, 0, 3, 3, 3 = 10 + 2 + 4 = 16
9. Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden) – 2, 1, F, 2, 3 = 8
10. Antonio Lindback (Sweden) – 1, 0, 1, 2, R = 4
11. Przemyslaw Pawlicki (Poland) – 3, 3, 1, 0, 0 = 7
12. Bjarne Pedersen (Denmark) – 0, 1, 1, 0, F = 2
13. Chris Harris (GB) – 1, EF, EF, 1, 1 = 3
14. Chris Holder (Australia) – 0, 3, 2, 3, 3 = 11 + 3 + 6 = 20
15. Kenneth Bjerre (Denmark) – 3, 1, 3, 0, 1 = 8 + 0 = 8
16. Jason Crump (Australia) – 2, 2, 3, 3, 1 = 11 + 1 = 12
WINNER: Chris Holder
SECOND: Tomasz Gollob
THIRD: Jaroslaw Hampel
Berwick 50-43 Newcastle Report
The Berwick Bandits just about held on to take all 3 points as they beat the Newcastle Diamonds 50-43 in a thrilling meeting.
The Bandits reserves Edberg and Tomicek made the first inroads as they defeated the Worrall twins for a 5-1, before Tomicek was joined by Alden for a second 5-1 which stretched the gap to 6 in heat 4 after a Diamonds 4-2 in heat 3.
Ricky Ashworth extended the lead in heat 6 as King took 3rd for a 4-2, before Alden and Edberg combined for a third 5-1 that put the hosts 12 points clear.
However, Christian Henry then took a tactical ride for the visitors, and after he took victory with partner Richie Worrall in third, the gap was reduced to 7 points.
Newcastle then moved within 5 two heats later, as Robson took victory with Lindgren supporting for a 4-2, but after two 3-3s it was Berwick duo Ashworth and Alden who pretty much put the meeting out of Newcastle’s reach, as a heat 13 5-1 put the Bandits 9 points ahead with 2 races remaining.
Lindgren did win heat 14 for a 4-2 which gave the Diamonds chance of a point, but the night ended with a 3-3 which ensured that Berwick took maximum points and Newcastle went home empty handed.
SCORES
Berwick Bandits
1. Ricky Ashworth 3, 3, 2, 3, 1* =12+1
2. Jason King 0, 1, 2, 0 = 3
3. Lee Complin 2, 3, 2, 2 = 9
4. David Bellego 0, 0, 1*, 0 = 1+1
5. Sebastian Alden 3, 3, 3, 2*, 2 =13+1
6. Alex Edberg 3, 2*, 0, 2 = 7+1
7. Lubos Tomicek 2*, 2*, 0, 1* = 5+3
Newcastle Diamonds
1. Mark Lemon 2, 2, 1*, 1 = 6+1
2. Christian Henry 1*, 3, 1*, 6, 2, 0 = 13+2
3. Ludvig Lindgren 1, 0, 1, 3, 3 = 8
4. Claes Nedermark R/R
5. Stuart Robson F, 2, 3, 3, 0, 3 =11
6. Steve Worrall 0, 0, 0 = 0
7. Richie Worrall 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1 = 5
source: www.speedwayupdates.proboards.com
Stars Strengthen With Double Signing
The Kings Lynn Stars have moved to strengthen their side early in the season with the double signing of Pole Mateusz Szczepaniak and veteran Brit Joe Screen.
Joe Screen comes in as a replacement for Jordan Frampton, and the former World Under 21 Champion will double up alongside David Howe. The 39 year old has started the season very well at Glasgow in the Premier League, and he should add some crucial experience to the Kings Lynn side.
Meanwhile, Szczepaniak comes in to the side full-time at reserve to replace double-up duo Dakota North and Kyle Howarth, and the Lodz rider will be desperate to impress. The Poole Pirates had lined up the 25 year old for a move, but postponed meetings have delayed the release of new averages and snatched away any chance the champions had of signing Szczepaniak. However, the Stars have pounced to add him to their team, and he is sure to impressive at reserve.
source: www.kingslynnstars.co
Perry: “I’m Delighted”
Dudley Heathens teenage star Tom Perry was left incredibly pleased last night having finished as a shock runner-up in the British Under 21 Championship at his home Monmore Green track in front of the vocal Heathens fans. Speaking after his rostrum finish, the Wolverhampton youngster said “I’m delighted, especially in front of my home fans. Dudley are brilliant and I would’t change my team at all. They follow us in numbers home and away, and they are just incredible. I came here not even thinking I would make the final to be honest, so I am really happy”.
Even Perry admitted to being shocked at his incredible performance on what he had previously said would be the biggest night of his career. “This is a massive surprise even for me. When I spoke before the meeting to my mechanics and my family I said I would be happy if I made the semi-finals, so to get a place on the rostrum is amazing”.
Now, Perry goes on to the World Under 21′s Championship Qualifiers, and he is relishing the opportunity to compete on the world stage. “I get the chance to ride in the World Under 21 Qualifiers after this. I am riding in Holland on the 19th May and then I have got a longtrack meeting on the 20th so its going to be a busy week for me”.
As well as competing for Dudley, Perry is also lining up at reserve for Somerset in the Premier League, and he is now looking ahead and hoping this result can give him a confidence boost. “Now I am just looking to try and challenge Adam (Roynon) and Ashley (Morris) for the number 5 spot and up my average a bit and hopefully up my average for Somerset in the Premier League”.
Haines: “The Hardest One Yet”
Sheffield man Joe Haines was absolutely delighted last night having regained the British Under 21′s Championship he won in 2010. Speaking after the meeting, Haines admitted that he found this meeting harder than ever, saying “This is awesome, I mean last time I won it in 2010, and I thought tonight would be a bit easier but it was the hardest one yet by far, so I am delighted with the win”.
The Bolton youngster had endured an awful spell of injuries so far in his career, including a life threatening crash in Australia last winter that left him in a coma. Yet he now appears to have returned to where he was before his injury, and he is delighted himself at how he has comeback, and finally feels a lot of hard work has paid off. “From where I was a year and a half or two years ago with my injuries, to get where I am to win tonight was awesome. It’s took a lot of hard work but I think I am finally getting back to where I was to be honest”.
Haines will spend the season riding at reserve for Premier League Sheffield, and this win should certainly help boost his confidence as he aims to push his season forward.”Now I just want to kick on with the Premier League really. Sheffield is my main aim and hopefully I can score big for them and then hopefully I will dip into the Elite League a bit more and just see what happens from there”.
British U21 Championship Report
Joe Haines is the British Under 21 Champion once again after he snatched victory in an exciting meeting at Monmore Green in which home favourite Tom Perry and Kyle Howarth completed the rostrum. Haines had to get to the final the hard way, but after winning the rerun of the semi final, he took the chequered flag from the gate when it mattered to reclaim the title he won in 2010.
Woffinden: “A Team Effort”
Wolves man Tai Woffinden was a happy man after his Wolverhampton Wolves side took all three points over Kings Lynn. The Great Britain star was delighted that his side just managed to take maximum points.
When interviewed after the meeting, Woffinden said ”It was really good, they had taken a point from all of the away tracks they had been to so far, but we put a stop to that so its great. It was a good team performance and track was pretty good. The track staff did an awesome job, and now we are just looking forward to Poole on Wednesday”.
Woffinden continued his great start to his season with another double figure score of 10+2, but he was not entirely happy with how things went. “I am not really happy with my own performance, I struggled a little bit when the rain came down and the track got a bit slippery. I came off once but managed to get back on and get third. I’d say it was 50/50 and there is definitely room for improvement”.
However, Woffinden is still pleased with how his season is going on the whole, and hopes things can continue to go well. “I am definitely pleased with how my season is going. Everything is going really good and my form in Poland has picked up as well, so everything is going well this season and I want it to continue that way”.
Tai was also delighted to see contributions throughout the Wolves team to help them to victory. “It was definitely a team effort today. Sowka was going really good until he crashed and it was great to see all the boys doing well”.
Yet Woffinden is not too confident of victory away at Poole in their next meeting, but insists he and the Wolves side will give it their all. When asked if they could pull off a shock, he replied “We”ll do our best”.
