Final fling for Strong Poles

King the star performer as Great Britain qualify for race-off

Last updated: 14th July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Final fling for Strong Poles

Hampel: Superb display - Photo credit Fotospeedway.pl

We're still confident. It's going to be tough in the race-off

Australia team manager Craig Boyce
Quotes of the week

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Poland clinched a place in Saturday's final of the World Team Cup with an impressive display in Event 2 in Peterborough.

The 2007 champions triumphed with 54 points thanks to a fine team performance that was led by Jaroslaw Hampel (13).

Australia were a close second on 52 points, while a youthful Great Britain team secured a place in Thursday's race-off by finishing ahead of Slovenia.

However, Poland proved a class apart on a stellar night of speedway to qualify at the first time of asking. They will also have the added advantage of riding on home soil with the final taking place in Leszno this weekend.

Captain Tomasz Gollob was the only Pole not to make it into double figures, though he only managed four rides after being excluded from the final heat.

By then his team had already clinched victory thanks to Hampel's third success of the meeting in the penultimate race.

Cushion

The Australians had held a five-point cushion after 10 heats thanks to three wins in a row. They were unable to cling on to the lead, though, despite 14 points from Jason Crump.

"We're still in it," Australia's manager Craig Boyce said afterwards. "The Poles were outstanding - it just wasn't to be. We're still confident. It's going to be tough in the race-off."

Australia will now take part in the race-off along with Great Britain, who finished well clear of the Slovenians in third at the Showground.

Team manager Rob Lyon was rewarded for his decision to pick the youngest British team ever by a wholehearted display from his group of riders.

Daniel King was the star performer for the hosts, the Ipswich Witch managing a victory in heat six before coming a close second in two of his other rides.

Skipper Chris Harris did manage a six-pointer in heat 12 when GB played their joker, though with Edward Kennett and Tai Woffinden both struggling, Lyon may opt to include Scott Nicholls and Lee Richardson next time.

As well as the Australians, Great Britain will also be up against Denmark and Sweden, who finished behind shock Event One winners Russia on Saturday, to see which two teams will complete the final line-up.

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