Lindback wins in Cardiff

 

Swedish star, Antonio Lindback, won his first Speedway Grand Prix in nearly four years last night in Cardiff as he finished ahead of home favourite, Tai Woffinden, to win the FIM British Speedway Grand Prix.

Lindback, who was is devastating form all evening, was under pressure from the home fans in the final, with the current World Champion, Woffy, hot on his tail, whilst Poland’s Bartosz Zmarzlik and American Greg Hancock completed the final four.

“To come to Cardiff and have a win is unbelievable. I have always wanted to win here, so it’s ideal. I was third here before in 2012, so today I’ve stepped up a bit,” said Lindback.

Lindback won his first three rides, with relative ease too, and headed to the semi-final with 12 points. The win saw him end the evening in Cardiff on 18 points, leaving the Swede fourth in the World Championship on 53 points, behind Jason Doyle, Woffinden and Hancock.

And Lindback insists he and his team only had success in their sights in Cardiff: “I have felt a little bit frustrated in the GPs. It seems like I have a really good meeting and get to the semi-final, but I just miss the final.  

“Today my whole team was so focused on making it. We worked so hard. I have everything to thank my team for. I’m really, really happy.

“I’m not thinking about anything outside speedway right now. I’m only thinking about speedway. I love racing speedway. This is what I want to do, so that is what I am focused on.”

Lindback also paid tribute to Woffinden after the home favourite battled with him for first place in the final.

He said: “For me, it’s great if I can beat Tai. He’s so fast and I just love to race with him. I love racing him on the track and I like him outside the track. It was good fun.

“I don’t feel you need to run into people. Me and Tai raced hard but we didn’t hit each other. It was still nice for the crowd to look at. I like racing with him. You feel safe, but you can also race hard.”

Woffinden, who had a slow start to the evening at the Millennium Stadium, admitted he’d picked the wrong engine in the early stages, but added he was thrilled with second spot after picking up 15 points on the night.

He said: “I changed bikes and when I jumped on it, it was pulling, so thanks to Johnsy (engine tuner Peter Johns) for building me such a fast motor.

“I wish I’d raced it earlier. It’s the one I have been riding in Poland and scoring massive points on, so maybe I need to start riding it in the GP. I always tend to go for a different one.

“But it was a good night and the fans here were amazing, as they always are. It blows my mind when I come here. I can’t explain how it feels to be a British rider and ride in front of that many people shouting for me. It’s crazy.”

Third-placed Zmarzlik, who also showed another bright performance from the youngster, was elated with what was his first FIM Speedway Grand Prix podium finish away from Gorzow.

He said: “I’m very happy. It was a good day for me. Some days are good; some aren’t as good.

“The event was amazing like Warsaw. I loved it. I want to say thank you to my sponsors, family and team and I’ll see you soon.”

Hancock, who still leads the Championship despite finishing last in the final, seemed slightly off the pace in Cardiff, but added another ten points to his tally.

Another home favourite, Chris Harris, had a dismal performance in Cardiff, picking up just one point, but it was a better performance from wildcard, Danny King, as the British champion picked up seven points, including a race win in his final heat.

The FIM Speedway Grand Prix will now take a break as the sport changes its focus for the upcoming FIM Speedway World Cup, which begins in Vojens on July 23, before moving to Vastervik on July 26, and finishing at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester on July 29 and 30.

 

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:

1 Greg Hancock 66

2 Tai Woffinden 63

3 Jason Doyle 54

4 Antonio Lindback 53

5 Maciej Janowski 52

6 Bartosz Zmarzlik 51

7 Chris Holder 50

8 Matej Zagar 39

ADRIAN FLUX BRITISH SGP:

1 Antonio Lindback 18

2 Tai Woffinden 15

3 Bartosz Zmarzlik 13

4 Greg Hancock 10

5 Piotr Pawlicki 14

6 Jason Doyle 12

7 Maciej Janowski 11

8 Andreas Jonsson 9