Resurgent Hans bags semi spot in Cardiff (From Swindon Advertiser)

Resurgent Hans bags semi spot in Cardiff

8:46pm Saturday 25th August 2012 in Sport By Ned Payne

SWINDON skipper Hans Andersen produced his best performance of the Grand Prix this year as he qualified for the semi-finals in Cardiff.

The Dane, whose last Grand Prix win was in Italy in 2008, had experienced a miserable world championship in 2012 but bounced back in fine style at the Millennium Stadium.

Totalling 10 points from his five qualifying rides, the Odense-born charger then missed out in fourth place behind Chris Holder, Antonio Lindback and Tomasz Gollob.

Holder went on to win the final to close the gap on standings leader Greg Hancock to a single point, with Krzysztof Kasprzak second and Lindback third.

Andersen got the ball rolling with a gate-and-go triumph in heat four, before lowering the colours of multiple world champions Jason Crump and Nicki Pedersen next time out.

The 31-year-old then forced his way past Bjarne Pedersen to secure second place and take his tally to eight points, with another second between Gollob and Hancock boosting him further.

Despite missing the start in heat 20 and eventually retiring on lap two, Andersen still had enough points in the bag to qualify for the semi-final, where he ultimately fell short.