FIM Speedway Grand Prix 2009

The FIM Speedway Grand Prix Commission and BSI Speedway – promoters of the world championship FIM Speedway Grand Prix Series - have today confirmed the four permanent wild cards and full rider line-up for the 2009 FIM Speedway Grand Prix Series (SGP). 

The permanent wild card riders that will complete the full rider line-up for the 2009 individual world championship are:

• Scott NICHOLLS
• Fredrick LINDGREN 
• Chris HARRIS
• Emil SAJFUTDINOV

Commenting on the 2009 SGP rider line-up Paul Bellamy, Managing Director, BSI Speedway, said: “The riders chosen as the permanent wild cards reflect the experience and emerging talent of speedway riders in the world.  Russia’s Emil Sajfutdinov is one of the sport’s hottest prospects at the moment and will be an exciting addition to the Series.  At 19 years old he will be the youngest permanent rider in the 2009 Series and already has an unprecedented two World Under-21 titles under his belt that underlines his flair and aptitude for the sport.

“Sweden’s Fredrick Lindgren, who at 23 was the youngest rider in this year’s Series, has shown great maturity and ability in his first season as a Grand Prix rider and is also widely recognised across Europe as one of the sport’s rising stars.”

In addition to bolstering the young blood to the Series, Great Britain’s seasoned FIM Speedway Grand Prix campaigners Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris have also secured a permanent berth in the 2009 Series as Bellamy explains:

“This year Scott made two finals and only just finished outside the top eight and an automatic qualification for the 2009 Series, but his performances have shown he still has the commitment and drive to be World Champion.  Chris, a Grand Prix winner in 2007, knows he needs to prove he is world class next year following a disappointing 2008 campaign but we all know that he has the ability to be a great rider.”

Ole Olsen, FIM Speedway Grand Prix Race Director said:  “The line-up for the 2009 FIM Speedway Grand Prix Series is a very exciting one.  The combination of the experienced campaigners versus the young pretenders will provide some thrilling racing as all 15 riders believe they are capable of winning Grands Prix and ultimately the world championship.  I believe next year’s Series will be one of the most competitive seasons to date and we are looking forward to welcoming them all in 2009.”

The 2009 FIM Speedway Grand Prix rider line-up is detailed below.  The 2009 FIM Speedway Grand Prix calendar will be announced in due course.

2009 INDIVIDUAL SPEEDWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX QUALIFIED RIDERS

• Nicki PEDERSEN
• Jason CRUMP
• Tomasz GOLLOB
• Greg HANCOCK
• Hans ANDERSEN
• Leigh ADAMS
• Andreas JONSSON
• Rune HOLTA
• Scott NICHOLLS
• Fredrik LINDGREN
• Chris HARRIS
• Kenneth BJERRE
• Grzegorz WALASEK
• Sebastian ULAMEK
• Emil SAJFUTDINOV

—

QUALIFIED SUBSTITUTES

• Niels-Kristian IVERSEN
• Tomasz JEDRZJAK
• Ryan SULLIVAN
• Jesper B. MONBERG
• Adrian MIEDZINSKI
• Jurica PAVLIC

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Nicky Pedersen World Champ 2008. Foto: Mike Patrick

FINAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:

1. Nicki Pedersen 174
2. Jason Crump 152
3. Tomasz Gollob 148
4. Greg Hancock 144
5. Hans Andersen 140
6. Leigh Adams 125
7. Andreas Jonsson 100
8. Rune Holta 80 (all qualify for GP 2009)
9. Scott Nicholls 77
10. Fredrik Lindgren 73
11. Bjarne Pedersen 69
12. Niels-Kristian Iversen 59
13. Chris Harris 58
14. Krzysztof Kasprzak 57
15. Lukas Dryml 47

NICKI Pedersen joined the illustrious ranks of three-time World Champions on a vintage night of Grand Prix speedway at Bydgoszcz - with Polish hero Tomasz Gollob taking the honours on the night. Pedersen clinched the title as early as Heat 7 as two early race wins erased any nerves in the Dane’s camp after his troubled outing in Lonigo three weeks ago.

Gollob, meanwhile, recovered from mechanical problems in his first ride to dominate the remainder of the meeting for another Bydgoszcz triumph - and for good measure he added the 2008 SuperPrix crown by winning the big-money final race of the season.

The World Championship issue started with both of the contenders winning their opening rides, leaving Pedersen’s 16-point lead intact. But Crump then trailed home last in Heat 5 behind Greg Hancock, Hans Andersen and Fredrik Lindgren - and that gave Pedersen his chance to wrap things up in his next outing.
And he duly did so, rocketing from the start to defeat Rune Holta, Bjarne Pedersen and Chris Harris to become the 2008 World Champion, adding to his previous titles of 2003 and 2007.

Pedersen said: “I’ve been working flat-out just to come here today and do my performance, and I’m so pleased it’s finished. “I’ve had some bad crashes, especially the one in the Polish League at Zielona Gora, and I have to thank my physio because she has worked so hard for me.
“All the emotion comes out now because it’s been the toughest Championship so far for me. This is the third one which puts me up there in history with the good boys, I’ve been fighting for that and I’m absolutely delighted inside.”

Nicky Pedersen World Champ 2008. Foto: Mike Patrick

After his first-ride blank, Gollob embarked on a string of race wins for the remainder of the meeting showing all of his usual Bydgoszcz speed and track craft. Wins in his next four rides put him onto 12 points, and locked in a tight battle with Hancock for third place overall - and the displays of those two riders ended any hopes Hans Andersen had of bronze, even though the Dane himself was right up in the battle all night.
The top-eight issue was effectively resolved in Heat 19 in the clash between Holta and Scott Nicholls - and although the race was won by Hancock, Holta’s second place ahead of Nicholls left both riders on seven points, out of the semi-finals, and Holta still with his three-point advantage intact.

Mathematically, Lindgren could still have pipped Holta for eighth spot, but to do so the young Swede would have needed to win both semi-final and Final. As things transpired, he held a comfortable second place in the second semi, only for Andreas Jonsson to launch an over-optimistic bid to pass both Lindgren and Hancock into turn three, and take his fellow countryman out. Hancock took advantage of a second chance in the re-run to follow Gollob home and book a place in the Final, sending them into the last race level on points overall, and also confirming Holta’s place in next year’s series.

The first semi had produced a marvellous race with Andersen coming from last to first, passing Pedersen on the third lap - and the World Champion was then pipped on the line by Leigh Adams, who had headed the scores after five rides apiece. But the Final was all about Gollob with a fast start from gate two to win the meeting and clinch his third place overall. Andersen kept up his strong finish to the season with second, and Hancock won a battle with Adams for third on the night, although he was disappointed to drop back to fourth place overall.

Gollob’s meeting win allowed Pedersen a place in the SuperPrix as the highest-placed rider in the standings who had not won a SuperPrix qualifying meeting. But it went wrong for the Dane when he broke the tapes off gate four and did not get the opportunity to go for the $120,000 top prize.

Gollob was hot favourite from his favourite gate two - gained by virtue of his win at Parken in June - and he duly converted it into race victory ahead of Crump and Holta, leaving the home fans delighted with their bonus event. Gollob said: “The Final was really important to me to get the bronze medal, and everyone has done so much work in the last week. I’d like to thank everyone very much. “Last time when we were in Bydgoszcz I didn’t manage to win the biggest race, but this time I did it, and I did it twice against the best riders. I did it for the fans, and I did it for the country. “I’m so happy with how this season has gone for me. Many people wouldn’t have expected it, but I hope next year can be even better.”

Nicky Pedersen World Champ 2008. Foto: Mike Patrick

Further info: http://www.speedwayworld.tv/

Tickets for the 2008 FIM FINAL SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX at ZKS Polonia Stadium, Bydgoszcz, Poland on 18th October 2008 are now on sale.

Prices are:-

GRANDSTAND (Trybuna) numbered places 350PLN
SECTOR A - numbered places 120 PLN
SECTOR B – ADULT 60PLN
SECTOR B – KIDS (u. 14) 50PLN

Available via:

www.e-ticket.pl

www.eurobilet.com

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