Polish GP: Home hero Gollob victorious.

Poland's Tomasz Gollob won the FIM Polish Speedway Grand Prix at Bydgoszcz on Saturday night (18 September). Australia's Jason Crump was second with Sweden's Tony Rickardsson third - meaning that Crump now leads Rickardsson by 17 points going into the final round of the World Championship in Norway in two weeks time. Norway's Rune Holta was fourth.

It was a heroic return to the BTZ Polonia stadium for Gollob. Born and bred in Bydgoszcz, the 33 year old rode for the Bydgoszcz club for 16 years before moving to rivals Tarnow at the start of the 2004 season. But 20,000 fanatical Polish fans hailed the prodigal son's return as he captured his sixth Polish GP title of his career.

"Bydgozcz is definitely my favourite track, it's my lucky track." said an elated Gollob, who dedicated his win to his family and daughter Victoria. "I'm very, very happy to be sitting here with the winner's trophy. But to win more Grands Prix I must improve my bikes and build upon my results I have at the moment."

Jason Crump is now the closest he has ever been to winning the world title he has dreamed of taking since he was a young boy. The 17 point gap means that Crump needs just nine points at the Viking Ship Stadium in Hamar to clinch his first World Championship.

"I was under a good deal of pressure tonight and my focus was not to concede any points." commented the 29 year old. "After Greg (Hancock) went out I knew that it was between me and Tony. I was happier with my first start of the Final before the re-run, but in the end I just couldn't keep up with Tomasz! "

Crump admits himself that Norway's Viking Ship Stadium does not hold happy memories for him, where his championship dreams were shattered last year when Nicki Pedersen clinched the title by just eight points. But as he explains, it will be a much different story this time round:

"I am in a stronger position than I was last year and stronger mentally. I'm just going to go there and be cool and do what I have been doing at every Grand Prix and give it 100%."

Five times World Champion Tony Rickardsson was philosophical as he saw the gap grow in his quest for a record equalling sixth world crown. "I'm reasonably pleased. I knew I needed to beat Jason, but it just was not to be. I'm happy with the way everything went but I've been third many times this year and a couple of more points in those GP's and it could have been a different story."

It is not just the world title that is at stake at the Final round in two weeks time. Just eight riders automatically qualify for a place in the 2005 Series and only 13 points separate 8th and 11 after tonight's meeting. And with just two points separating third placed Greg Hancock (117) of the USA from Aussie Leigh Adams (115) there are a number of battles to be fought at the Viking Ship Stadium in a fortnight's time.

Polish Grand Prix, Bydgoszcz:

Result
Tomasz Gollob
Jason Crump
Tony Rickardsson
Rune Holta

Scorers from Bydgoszcz
Tomasz Gollob (POL) 25 points
Jason Crump (AUS) 20
Tony Rickardsson (SWE) 18
Rune Holta (NOR) 16
Leigh Adams (AUS) 13
Jaroslaw Hampel (POL) 13
Nicki Pedersen (DEN) 11
Scott Nicholls (GBR) 11
Andreas Jonsson (SWE) 8
Hans Anderen (DEN) 8
Piotr Protasiewicz (POL) 7
Lee Richardson (GBR) 7
Greg Hancock (USA) 6
Ryan Sullivan (AUS) 6
Bjarne Pedersen (DEN) 5
Ales Dryml (CZE) 5
Mark Loram (GBR) 4
Mikael Max (SWE) 4
Kaj Laukkanen (FIN) 3
Krzysztof Kasprzak (POL) 3
Jesper B Jensen (DEN) 2
Tomasz Chrzanowksi (POL) 2
Lukas Dryml (CZE) 1
Bohumil Brhel (CZE) 1

Overall standings after Bydgoszcz
Jason Crump AUS 147points
Tony Rickardsson SWE 130
Greg Hancock USA 117
Leigh Adams AUS 115
Nicki Pedersen DEN 100
Tomasz Gollob POL 95
Andreas Jonsson SWE 84
Bjarne Pedersen DEN 75
Hans Andersen DEN 74
Jaroslaw Hampel POL 74
Lee Richardson GBR 71
Scott Nicholls GBR 60
Ryan Sullivan AUS 57
Rune Holta NOR 49
Piotr Protasiewicz POL 48
Mikael Max SWE 41
Mark Loram GBR 36
Jesper B Jensen DEN 32
Bohumil Brhel CZE 31
Lukas Dryml CZE 22
Kaj Laukkanen FIN 21
Ales Dryml CZE 19
Grzegorz Walasek POL 13
Niels Kristian Iversen DEN 13
Kenneth Bjerre DEN 13
David Norris GBR 8
Matej Zagar SLO 8
Peter Karlsson SWE 7
Rafal Dobrucki POL 5
Fredrik Lindgren SWE 4
Chris Louis GBR 4
Wielslaw Jagus POL 4
Krzysztof Kasprzak POL 3
Peter Lung SWE 2
Thomas Chrzanowski POL 2
Robert Barth GER 2
Antonin Svab CZE 2
Antonio Lindback SWE 2
Simon Stead GBR 1
Izak Santej SLO 1