SWINDON Robins skipper Jason Doyle claimed a second place finish at the Sweden Grand Prix.

Doyle was unable to hold off three-time world champion Greg Hancock in the final but picked up 17 points to move second in the World Championship standings, level with reigning champion Tai Woffinden.

Doyle opted for gate one in the final, having qualified first, and at the second start, after Hancock was too keen first time out, Doyle gated well to take the lead.

However, under pressure from the American, Doyle went too deep into the final bend of the penultimate lap to open the door for Hancock to come down the inside and claim the win.

"It was so close but so far," said Doyle.

"The master got me. The second lap, I thought I've got this but then he rounded me up.

"I tried to shut the door and ran a bit wide and that was it.

"After last night, the track was perfect today. Hats of to Malilla and what great atmosphere is was today.

"It's not the result but to be on the podium, I am very happy."

Following inclement weather in Malilla, the FIM had to postpone Saturday evening’s event, with it being pushed back to Sunday morning.

The delay did not seem to affect Doyle as he picked up five points early on having gone in both heats four and five.

Doyle was not back in action again until heat 12 where he led from the front while the drama unfolded behind him to move up to second place in the standings.

The Aussie was leading in heat 14 before Peter Ljung spun on the second lap and took Woffinden with him before fellow Brit Chris Harris put down his bike.

It was no issue for the Swindon skipper to repeat his start as he got the start again to beat Harris and Woffinden, who was struggling with his bike at the back, and move to the top of the rankings on 11 points.

There was another incident in heat 19 as Fredrik Lindgren’s back wheel collected Maciej Janowski on the second lap, with the Pole being excluded, while Doyle watched on behind.

In the re-run, Doyle lacked speed off the line and had to watch the race unfold ahead of him as he took a single point heading into the semi-finals.

Doyle got first pick for his starting position in the first semi-final and opted for gate one, with former Swindon Robins rider Peter Kildemand being left with gate three.

The 30-year-old got a good start and held the inside line in the first corner and held Piotr Pawlicki behind him before opening up his advantage to book his final berth.

Doyle now sits 12 points behind Hancock in the overall standings but knows he has to keep his form going for the remainder of a long season.

"I'm really happy with how is is going this season," he added.

"It is only half way through the season so there is still a lot of racing to go and anything can happen.

"It is so close this year and everybody is only a couple of points behind.

"At the start of the year, I said I wanted to be in the top eight and see what happens from there."