Freddie Lindgren wins SPG
Wolves legend Freddie Lindgren pulled off a dramatic last-bend move to clinch the ANLAS Czech Republic FIM Speedway Grand Prix from Polish star Patryk Dudek on the line.
Lindgren, who matched his score of 16 from Warsaw a fortnight ago, didn’t manage to edge out Pole Dudek in the opening lap.
The experienced 32-year-old used his extensive racing brain, though, to round his younger rival on the final turn and clinch the Grand Prix in dramatic circumstances.
Russia’s Emil Sayfutdinov finished third while Wolves asset Woffinden was forced to pull up after running out of room down the back-straight of lap one.
Lindgren’s efforts mean he leaves the Czech Republic with a one-point lead over Great Britain’s Tai Woffinden after securing 32 points from the opening two rounds of the series.
A delighted Lindgren was elated after clinching the win, adding nights like this do not come around very often. He said: “I’m super happy to get the win in Prague, it’s not often you win Grand Prix events like that.
“I’ve worked really hard and have put a tough winter behind me after picking up some injuries.
“I’m happy to be here, and to win is awesome.”
Woffinden dropped only two points on his way to the final as a second in heat 15 coupled with a runners up position in the semi-final saw the Brit advance to the final heat with 16 points in the bag.
He is just one point short of Fredrik Lindgren while being 16 points inside the top eight.
Maciej Janowski went unbeaten from his first three rides, but a last place finish in heat 15 when put up against Laguta, Woffinden and Prezemyslaw Pawlicki signalled the start of a downward turn in the Polish racer’s form.
A second place in heat 18 behind Nicki Pedersen meant Janowski advanced to the semi-finals, but he was excluded from his respective semi when colliding with Emil Sayfutdinov on turn four of the opening lap.
Janowski sits level on points with Patryk Dudek in third place on 24 points after the opening two rounds.
Slovenian Matej Zagar occupies seventh while Chris Holder and veteran American Greg Hancock sit joint eighth on 15 points.
Jason Doyle’s slow start to his world championship defence continued, though an improved performance saw him register nine points before he finished third in the opening semi-final.
Danes Nicki Pedersen and Niels-Kristian Iversen are 12th and 13th on 10 and nine points respectively while Prezemyslaw Pawlicki remains 14th.
Meanwhile British hope Craig Cook continues to learn the Grand Prix trade as he finished the night on two points.
Next up for the SGP stars is the Danish FIM Speedway Grand Prix at the Casa Arena in Horsens on June 30.
