Adams still aiming for world crown (From Swindon Advertiser)

Adams still aiming for world crown

3:00pm Monday 26th May 2008 in

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LEIGH Adams is refusing to rule himself out of the running to become world champion, despite bowing out of Saturday's Swedish Grand Prix at the semi-final stage.

The Robins skipper picked up nine points from the Gothenburg showpiece event to remain fourth overall after three rounds of the Grand Prix series, 15 points adrift of leader Nicki Pedersen.

It was a strange night for Swindon's Aussie ace though, who made the semi-finals without picking up a heat victory all night.

But he refused to be downbeat about his chances, and promised that there is much more to come as he bids to improve on his second-placed finish last year.

Adams insisted: "It's no way over yet - it's still early days. Nicki is still very much in my sights and we've just got to keep working hard and the performances and results will follow.

"It was a bit weird to get to the semi-final without winning a heat, but I was just consistent.

"The inside gates were working very well for me and I made the most of that. The semi-final I was leading and I just ran a little bit wide and Lindgren got past me.

"It was just one of those things, but you have to pick yourself up from it and get on with things."

Grand Prix speedway returned to the Ullevi Stadium after a four-year absence with more than 20,000 fans witnessing one of the most memorable nights in the competition's history.

Rune Holta, born in Norway but now riding under the flag of Poland, won the event - his first victory in 50 attempts.

The track did cause problems but Sweden's Fredrick Lindgren cruised through the qualifying stages, unbeaten in five rides.

After winning his semi-final, passing pre-meeting favourite Adams, Lindgren was headed home in the final by Holta who made a terrific start round the outside.

Defending World Champion Pedersen was also passed by Holta, taking third spot overall.

Victorious journeyman Holta said: "Three different riders have won this year and that says it all about the Grand Prix.

"Anyone can win. I have been last and now I am a winner."

Holta's win was also the first of this season's Super Prix, which will determine the four riders to chase a prize pot of $200,000 in Germany later this year.

In an action-packed meeting, Andreas Jonsson was involved in a fearful looking crash after hitting the back wheel of Tomasz Gollob while both were at full speed. Jonsson was eventually stretchered from the track and taken to hospital.

Denmark's Niels Kristian Iversen dislocated a shoulder, and also went to hospital, while countryman Hans Andersen returned to action after a heavy fall that injured his right arm and wrist.

FIM Sapa Swedish Grand Prix RESULT: Rune Holta (Poland) 17, Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden) 22, Nicki Pedersen (Denmark) 16, Jason Crump (Australia) 12, Leigh Adams (Australia) 9, Tomasz Gollob (Poland) 8, Hans Andersen (Denmark) 8. Andreas Jonsson (Sweden) 8, Jonas Davidsson (Sweden) 7, Scott Nicholls (Great Britain) 7, Greg Hancock (USA) 6, Krzysztof Kasprzak (Poland) 5, Lubos Tomicek (Czech Republic) 5. Chris Harris (Great Britain) 5, Lukas Dryml (Czech Republic) 3, Niels Kristian Iversen (Denmark) 2.

OVERALL STANDINGS Nicki Pedersen 49, Tomasz Gollob 39, Fredrik Lindgren 36, Leigh Adams 34, Greg Hancock 34, Jason Crump 30, Andreas Jonsson 29, Hans Andersen 28, Rune Holta 26, Niels-Kristian Iversen 20, Chris Harris 17, Scott Nicholls 16, Jarek Hampel 16, Lukas Dryml 14, Krzysztof Kasprzak 14, Lubos Tomicek 8, Jonas Davidsson 7, Matej Zagar 7, Bjarne Pedersen 4, Billy Forsberg 2, Sebastian Alden 0.