The following release is from Jason Crump’s publicist…
Australia’s world number two speedway rider Jason Crump has won his first grand prix of the season after a brilliant night’s work in Denmark on June 28.
The 27-year-old was back to his front-running best at the Parken circuit in Copenhagen, outclassing reigning world champion Tony Rickardsson and American Greg Hancock in the final. Earlier in the evening, he was also successful in two of his heats and the semi-final.
It was the Northhampton-based Aussie’s seventh grand prix win, and his first since round six of last year’s title in the Czech Republic. It also continued world speedway’s egalitarian ‘stance’ in 2003 Crump was the fourth race winner in as many rounds after Rickardsson, Australian Ryan Sullivan and Dane Nicki Pedersen.
The 25 points for victory has lifted the Jawa-riding Crump (61) four spots up the world championship ladder, with only Rickardsson (76) and Pedersen (69) now ahead of him. The latter was fourth in the final as he fell short of clinching rare back-to-back GP victories in front of his home crowd.
“What a brilliant night all round,” said Crump, who is chasing Australia’s first speedway world title in 51 years. “I rode really well in the heats, and then I scored gate two in the final, which proved to be the best one as the night wore one. I then scored the holeshot in the final, and led all the way.
“And, I must say, for a purpose-built track, it was as good as I’ve ever ridden on. Now I can’t wait for the next round, where I really want to close the gap on Rickardsson.”
Crump, who finished second in the last round at Cardiff, has now ‘completed’ his resurgence in Denmark after an indifferent start to the year. After his latest success, Crump’s recent record in Denmark is now unmatched a victory added to a pair of seconds (2000-01) and a fourth (2002).
Of the remaining Australians in action at Parken, Mildura’s Leigh Adams was the most successful, his night ending with a fourth in the opposing semi-final to Crump’s. He finished seventh overall, ahead of Sullivan (ninth), championship rookie Jason Lyons (10th) and Todd Wiltshire (21st). Adams is fifth in the title on 53pts, behind 1997 world champion Hancock (58).
DANISH SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX RESULTS
1. Jason Crump
2. Tony Rickardsson
3. Greg Hancock
4. Nicki Pedersen
5. Tomasz Gollob
6. Rune Holta
7. Leigh Adams
8. Scott Nicholls
9. Ryan Sullivan
10. Jason Lyons
