JASON Doyle’s bid to be crowned speedway world champion took a big hit on Saturday night after injury forced him out of the Torun Grand Prix.

Swindon Robins skipper Doyle was the championship leader going into the event in Poland but the Australian crashed hard in heat three, resulting in injuries to his shoulder, elbow and lungs.

Doyle suffered similar fate in last year’s World Championship when a crash in Melbourne also cost him in his hunt for a world title.

American veteran Greg Hancock was more than happy to take advantage of the Australian’s crash as he collected 16 points and now sits at the top of the tree, with 134 points to Doyle’s 123.

That means Doyle will need a stunning turnaround at the final GP in Melbourne on October 22 to lift the title.

The Torun event was won by Dane Niels-Kristian Iversen ahead of Hancock, with home rider Bartosz Zmarzlik third.