7:50am Monday 6th September 2010
By Ned Payne
GRZEGORZ Zengota and Mads Korneliussen narrowly missed out on a semi-final place in the Elite League Pairs’ Championship at Ipswich.
The pair made a positive start in their opening two heats at the Foxhall circuit but faded away, as Coventry’s Chris Harris and Krzysztof Kasprzak went on to take victory.
In as last-minute replacements for the unavailable Leigh Adams and the ill Simon Stead, Zengota and Korneliussen opened up by rocketing to a 7-2 maximum against the modest Belle Vue pairing of Filip Sitera and James Wright.
That was followed by a 5-4 triumph against Wolverhampton’s Nicolai Klindt and Joe Haines with Zengota again the first Robin home.
But just six points followed in the final two heats. Zengota won the contest with Peterborough but Korneliussen was last, and in the final race against Lakeside, the former trailed at the back with Korneliussen second.
Swindon finished on 18 points, just two below Peterborough who were the lowest semi-final qualifiers on points.
Coventry and Poole went on to progress to the final and with Kasprzak first and Harris second, the Bees secured their second Pairs title in three years.
“That was a very good night,” said Harris afterwards.
“We were a bit disappointed we were beaten in our first ride, but we're a good pairing and we both go well here so we were always confident.
“In this competition you have to team ride, and it was no good me winning if Krzysztof was last and vice versa.
“We were discussing what we were going to do on the first bends, and we knew where each other would be.
“You always want to win trophies, and it's good to get this one in the cabinet especially after the way Coventry started the season.”
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