Adams serves up warning to Wolves
Swindon talisman Leigh Adams put down an ominous marker for next week's play-off showdown with Wolves by winning the Elite League Riders Championship.
Swindon talisman Leigh Adams put down an ominous marker for next week's play-off showdown with Wolves by winning the Elite League Riders Championship.
The 38-year-old fluffed the gate in last night's grand final at Coventry but found great drive coming off the second turn, took the lead and sprinted clear.
Home hope Chris Harris took second spot from Chris Holder while Wolves star Fredrik Lindgren's hopes expired along with his ignition lead, forcing him to retire.
It was Adams' first ELRC victory – it's a tribute to the Aussie's speedway longevity that he was on the podium back in 1996 when Wolves legend Sam Ermolenko was the winner – but he did it the hard way.
Three super-smooth wins put him in the box seats but a last in heat 15 won by Holder from Lindgren and Scott Nicholls made his task more difficult.
However, he saw off Edward Kennett three races later and was a comfortable second behind Lindgren in the semi-final, the two joining Harris and Holder in the shootout for a £3,000 cheque and new Jawa bike.
Lindgren had announced his presence with an electrifying win in heat 12, steaming up the inside to pass Danish duo Hans Andersen and Niels Kristian Iversen. And when Andersen in turn got through on the inside the Swede cut back to regain the advantage.
However, on a fine night's racing at Brandon none shone brighter than Harris in the 16th race, finding extraordinary straight line speed to go between Kennett and Iversen on the back straight. But it was Adams who came good when it really mattered.
Scorers: Chris Holder 13, Chris Harris 13, Leigh Adams 12, Scott Nicholls 11, Fredrik Lindgren 11, Edward Kennett 10, Niels Kristian Iversen 9, Matej Zagar 9, Hans Andersen 8, Robert Miskowiak 7, Adam Skornicki 5, Mads Korneliussen 4, Davey Watt 3, Jonas Davidsson 2, James Wright 1, Josh Auty (res) 1, Joe Haines (res) 1. Semi-final: Lindgren, Adams, Kennett, Nicholls. Final: Adams, Harris, Holder, Lindgren (ret).
* Wolves duo Tai Woffinden and Nicolai Klindt were going for glory in the World Under-21 final at Gorican, Croatia today.
* Wolves go gunning for Elite League glory on Monday night so don't miss our Speedway Special available at selected city centre outlets and Monmore Green.
