Adams triumphs in Sweden

Adams: Scandinavian victory. Photo by FOTOSPEEDWAY.PL

Also see

• WWE live on Sky
• Photo galleries
• WWE video

Leigh Adams won a 'thriller in Malilla' on Saturday night to scoop his second successive Scandinavian Grand Prix.

The Australian was racing in his landmark 100th Grand Prix and did the business in Sweden to cement his place in the top six in the series standings, collecting 21 points on the night to make it 80 in total.

He won the final after battling Hans Andersen for the lead, with the Dane, riding from Gate 1, at first holding the Australian, who wore the blue helmet.

But on the second lap, Andersen ran wide and Adams needed no invitation to sweep into the lead.

Pulled away

He then pulled away for the victory, while Andersen won a battle with world champion Nicki Pedersen for second, so collecting 20 points on the night to make it 84 for the series, leaving him in fourth overall.

Pedersen notched up 14 points to extend his lead at the top of the series standings by two points to 116.

He is now 17 points clear of second-placed Crump, who finished a disappointing last in the final, collecting 12 points on the night.

Speaking afterwards, Adams was pleased with his victory - his second of the series after he won the European Grand Prix - although he acknowledged he was still far behind the consistent Pedersen at the top of the standings.

He told Sky Sports: "We have got to finish on top of the box a few more (times) to be up there, we are a long way adrift but this is a stepping stone, we sort of forgot about the points and just get on with our racing and just try and enjoy it and that's what we did tonight."

While now a veteran of 100 Grands Prix, the 37-year-old said he is still enjoying the challenge and paid tribute to his mechanics and family for their support.

Thank you

"I've got to say a big thank you to them, it's been a long old haul for many years," he said, before adding: "We are pretty much trying to forget about the points and just get on with it - finish on top of the box, a few more of these and we'll be up there."

British pair Scott Nicholls and Chris 'Bomber' Harris again endured a disappointing evening, with each not finishing higher than third in any of their heats.

Nicholls only recorded four points, while Harris earned just three, meaning Nicholls is in 11th place overall with 45 points and Harris in 12th with 40 points.

The pair now need to score heavily in the remaining four Grands Prix to make it into the top eight to gain automatic inclusion in next year's series.