Preview: Polish Grand Prix.

Tony Rickardsson can claim a fourth world individual speedway title on Saturday night if he wins the Grand Prix of Poland - but to do so he would need both Thomasz Gollob and Jason Crump to have a poor showing.

Gollob will be on home territory - add to that the backing of thousands of his fanatical followers and anything is possible. Although Rickardsson could tie it all up, a poor meeting for him and a win for Gollob throws it wide open again.

Crump, although theoretically still in with chances, has to go all out for a win and hope for the best. Or will Billy Hamill continue his resurgence at world level and gatecrash again as he did in Prague.

A classic Grand Prix in prospect as the series nears its climax. But it's not just the head of affairs that demands attention. Riders in the lower half of the standings will be eager for points to guarantee a starting place in 2002 and so avoid the notoriously tough Grand Prix Challenge meeting in October - the 'last chance saloon' in Speedway terms.

Jimmy Nilsen is absent due to injury and his place is again taken by the improving Grzegorz Walasek. England's Chris Louis is another non-starter after not being fully recovered from his injuries despite a brave attempt to ride in Prague. Toni Kaspar is his replacement.

Two young Polish riders take the wild card spots - Krzysztof Cegielski and Jarek Hampel. Both are in their debut seasons in the British Elite League and making good progress. On home shale, either of them is certainly capable of taking a few scalps.

Overall Standings:
T. Rickardsson 86
T. Gollob 75
J. Crump 63
T. Wiltshire 48
L. Adams 48
R. Sullivan 48
N. Klingberg 43
N. Pedersen 38
B. Hamill 37
G. Walasek 30
H. Gustafsson 28
C. Stonehewer 28
M. Loram 26
P. Karlsson 25
G. Hancock 23
R. Holta 21
M. Karlsson 21
B. Andersen 20
J. Nilsen 20
M. Ferjan 17
P. Protaseiwicz 16
A. Smith 7
H. Clausen 6
R. Barth 6
C. Louis 5
M. Dugard 4
S. Nicholls 4
J. Jensen 2
M. Wolter 2