The 2014 Speedway Grand Prix World Championship has taken another dramatic twist with title leader, Greg Hancock suffering a big crash during the midway point of the Polish Grand Prix in Gorzow.
Niels-Kristian Iversen drifted uptrack during the 14th heat and left the veteran American with nowhere to go.
Hancock’s wrist got caught in the back wheel of Iversen’s machine sending both riders tumbling to the shale.
Iversen was hospitalised with a knee injury, whilst Hancock looked to be in trouble for some time.
After being taken to hospital it was confirmed that Hancock has a broken finger and another dislocated.
Up until that point, he was undefeated and he had amassed enough points that saw him qualify for the semi-finals should he be fit.
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It was delight for the home fans at the magnificent Gorzow Stadium with the top three being local riders.
Excitable 19-year-old Polish wildcard Bartosz Zmarzlik took the win in stunning fashion from Matej Zagar – who was suffering from food poisoning – and Krzyzstof Kasprzak whose recent form brings him into Championship calculations.
Australia’s Chris Holder and Troy Batchelor qualified for the semi-finals, Holder had a difficult night to secure his nine points, whilst Batchelor performed well. Holder finished fourth in his semi-final, whilst Batchelor secured an extra point from his third placed finish.
Before the meeting, World Champion, Tai Woffinden withdrew due to injury and Australian, Darcy Ward was ruled out due to a suspension after he failed an alcohol test at the previous Grand Prix.
As a result of the low scoring across the board, Hancock has increased his Championship lead to 14 points over Woffinden. Nicki Pedersen maintained third place in the Title race despite the pain inflicted by his shoulder injury sustained last weekend.
Holder has moved himself into the top eight with three rounds to go, whilst Batchelor sits just four points adrift of the direct qualification zone.
The next event on the Speedway Grand Prix calendar will be on September 13 at Vojens in Denmark.
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