Glorious night for Gollob

The inimitable Gollob

Grand Prix result:
1 T Gollob
2 H Andersen
3 G Hancock
4 L Adams
Final GP standings:
1 N Pedersen
2 J Crump
3 T Gollob
Super Prix result:
1 T Gollob
2 J Crump
3 R Holta
4 N Pedersen

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Legend of Bydgoszcz Tomasz Gollob had a night to remember at his favourite track when he followed up victory in the final Grand Prix of the season with success in the $200,000 Super Prix.

But the Pole had to share the limelight with Nicki Pedersen, who clinched his third world championship with victory on his second ride of the night.

In a thrilling finale to the season - delayed by a week following the shambles in Germany seven days ago - Gollob won his last four programmed rides as well as the semi-final and final, before picking up $120,000 for beating Jason Crump in the inaugural Super Prix - his last four rides all from gate two.

With the Grand Prix win, Gollob also edged past Greg Hancock to win a place on the championship rostrom behind Pedersen and Crump.

Gollob, Hancock, Leigh Adams and Hans Andersen all looked fastest on the night and they deserved their places in the final - Andersen squeezing past Pedersen on the final bend in the first semi to make the last four, while Hancock chased home Gollob in the re-run second semi after Andreas Jonsson had wiped out the luckless Freddie Lindgren.

All about Gollob

Pedersen may have already clinched his second successive world title but for the crowd the night was all about their hero - and yet again the veteran delivered the goods.

Pedersen picked up the remaining place in the Super Prix but uncharacteristically blew it, touching the tapes when trying to gain a flyer from the outside gate.

So it left Gollob to lead Crump and Rune Holta from the start in what was by now an almost inevitable outcome to round off a memorable night for he and his adoring fans.

"The Final was really important to me to get the bronze medal, and everyone has done so much work in the last week," he said. "I'd like to thank everyone very much.

"Last time when we were in Bydgoszcz I didn't manage to win the biggest race, but this time I did it, and I did it twice against the best riders. I did it for the fans, and I did it for the country.

"I'm so happy with how this season has gone for me. Many people wouldn't have expected it, but I hope next year can be even better."

There was disappointment for Britain's Scott Nicholls, who failed to overhaul Rune Holta in his bid to claim eighth place in the GP standings and therefore an automatic entry into next year's series.

The Eastbourne Eagle must now hope he is given a nomination to remain part of speedway's elite.