http://www.worldspeedway.com/artman/publish/article_13379.shtml
It was a marvellous night for Team Great Britain at a packed out Norfolk Arena in Kings Lynn on Monday at Round 2 of the Speedway World Cup. It was a titanic tussle between the host nation Team Great GB and a young Australian side that featured many ex Kings Lynn riders.
After Simon Stead was excluded for Tea, GB in heat 23, it looked as though the side may not win the meeting and the final two heats were the decider for victory on the night. Wins from GP star Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls, sent the Brits’ straight through to Saturday’s final in Vojens. Denmark and sent a large crowd home very happy. Leandra Graves spoke to the Coventry star after the awesome display to see how pleased he was with the team’s performance.
“Yes I’m really happy. The team manager was really good tonight and the five of us got together and rode as a team. Danny King was there as the extra man in the pits and he was helping. Pushing us and keeping an eye on things, to help keep the team spirit going.
“There is always pressure! Especially on me and Nicholls in the final two heats to clinch the win. Luckily it paid off at the end. The gate positions we had were good, so that did favour us and that was a little bit of help. That’s what we’re there for, to take the pressure.”
It may not have been the 20,000 fans that Gorzow had for Round 1 of the Speedway World Cup, but for a Monday night event being featured live on television, around 5,000 fans made their way to Kings Lynn to support the British team and certainly got their money’s worth with the perfect result.
“The atmosphere was great. The fans really got behind us and they were our extra man tonight, they really lifted us. Everytime I went out at the start, I could see the flags flying and they were backing us all the way.”
The result may have been to the likening of the majority of the supporters but for the first 15 heats, most of the racing was largely processional. It appeared to liven up only for the remaining 10 heats once there were more lines to ride on the track.
“The track wasn’t the best I’ve ever ridden but it did get better as the night went on. It did get slick towards the end, but we managed to work it to our advantage as we became stronger and we got the job done.”
However, anyone present at the Norfolk Arena may also remember the night for more disturbing reasons. A very unwelcome swarm of greenfly which seemed to encompass the whole stadium. Luckily it didn’t seem to affect ‘Bomber’ too much on the track and with his preparations.
“The swarm of flies didn’t really affect us, luckily we had our goggles!”
The Vastervik star also had a lucky miss when he there was a problem with the starting tapes that nearly interfered with his helmet whilst leading.
“I was quite surprised when I came around after my first lap and I saw the tape dangling in front of me. I just tried to stay out of the way of it!”
Now the Team GB side have four days to wait before the final of the Speedway World Cup competition. Plenty of time to check out their competition?
“The whole team are flying out Wednesday night as that was what was originally booked. We will go there and watch the practice. We will try and pick up some tips on the track and set-up. Then I think we will just relax really and maintain the excellent team spirit.”
After a successful night’s work, the talk after was still about whether there would be any rider changes for the final.
“I think Danny King is coming to the practice with us and then Rob Lyon will make his decision. It’s hard to take somebody out of the team after tonight when everyone rode well. I’m sure whatever decision Rob will make, the team will support it and we will just continue as we are.”
Finally, after beating the confident Aussies, how does the Cornwall born star rate his chances for his side lifting the trophy in Vojens?
“We have been in the race-off the last three years so it’s really nice to miss it this year and go automatically to the final. It’s going to be tough in the race-off but I think Denmark in their own country will be hard to beat and I think probably the Aussies will just squeeze it in the race off. We can beat anyone on the day. A bit of bad luck on their part and good luck on ours and who knows!”
Showing posts with label Chris Harris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Harris. Show all posts
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
SGP: Hungry Harris eats away at the top 8
http://www.worldspeedway.com/artman/publish/article_14142.shtml
The penultimate 2010 Speedway Grand Prix took place in Terenzano, Italy and was definitely one to remember.
The forecasts had predicted heavy rain but luckily the sun shone long enough to see an action packed meeting with a new world champion crowned! The moment Poland had been waiting for, Tomasz Gollob secured his first ever world title in speedway much to the delight of the passionate and devoted fans who had travelled to Italy to cheer on their hero.
The night will also be remembered for an impressive performance from Britain’s Chris Harris. After a slow start to this season’s GP season, Bomber has turned his season around and come alive. A second place finish in Croatia propelled the Coventry rider back amongst the top 8 and Italy was to prove a happy hunting ground for the winner of the 2007 Cardiff GP.
The semi-final was a nail biting affair with what appeared a dead-heat with Harris and Jarek Hampel. However, the Polish referee, awarded second to the Brit’ which booked him his place in the final. Harris produced an awesome ride in the final and certainly made the new champion work for his money in the last heat but he was unable to claim top step on the podium. Second place on the night was a fantastic achievement for the man from Cornwall and established him in a comfortable 7th place in the standings with one round left.
There had been much talk about the 27 year old having to wait for a wildcard to obtain a place in the 2011 series but it looks like the Cornishman has done his talking on the track and provided a surprise to his critics.
This season has seen the likeable Vastervik rider take the British championship yet again, as well as leading his Elite League club to the final of the play-offs. After a turbulent start to the Bees’ season, Bomber has been an inspirational captain and helped turn their fortunes around.
The change in track conditions in the GP’s has also suited Bomber’s riding styles as now the tracks are less slick, there are more lines for passing and to gain grip on the outside. It has also been noted he has improved his gating technique, he has always been known in the past for not being the sharpest away from the tapes, but recent results have shown he is seemingly getting to grips with this.
2011 is looking bright for this young man…
The penultimate 2010 Speedway Grand Prix took place in Terenzano, Italy and was definitely one to remember.
The forecasts had predicted heavy rain but luckily the sun shone long enough to see an action packed meeting with a new world champion crowned! The moment Poland had been waiting for, Tomasz Gollob secured his first ever world title in speedway much to the delight of the passionate and devoted fans who had travelled to Italy to cheer on their hero.
The night will also be remembered for an impressive performance from Britain’s Chris Harris. After a slow start to this season’s GP season, Bomber has turned his season around and come alive. A second place finish in Croatia propelled the Coventry rider back amongst the top 8 and Italy was to prove a happy hunting ground for the winner of the 2007 Cardiff GP.
The semi-final was a nail biting affair with what appeared a dead-heat with Harris and Jarek Hampel. However, the Polish referee, awarded second to the Brit’ which booked him his place in the final. Harris produced an awesome ride in the final and certainly made the new champion work for his money in the last heat but he was unable to claim top step on the podium. Second place on the night was a fantastic achievement for the man from Cornwall and established him in a comfortable 7th place in the standings with one round left.
There had been much talk about the 27 year old having to wait for a wildcard to obtain a place in the 2011 series but it looks like the Cornishman has done his talking on the track and provided a surprise to his critics.
This season has seen the likeable Vastervik rider take the British championship yet again, as well as leading his Elite League club to the final of the play-offs. After a turbulent start to the Bees’ season, Bomber has been an inspirational captain and helped turn their fortunes around.
The change in track conditions in the GP’s has also suited Bomber’s riding styles as now the tracks are less slick, there are more lines for passing and to gain grip on the outside. It has also been noted he has improved his gating technique, he has always been known in the past for not being the sharpest away from the tapes, but recent results have shown he is seemingly getting to grips with this.
2011 is looking bright for this young man…
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Bomber – I ballsed it up!
Cornwall born Chris Harris, made it through to the semi-finals of the European GP in Poland, recording one of his best results over the last few seasons. After a difficult 2009 in the Speedway Grand Prix series, “Bomber” racked up two wins and snuck into the semi-final but missed out to Janusz Kolodziej and Jarek Hampel, both home club riders.
It was an up and down night for Bomber Harris that lacked consistency, two wins, including one over three times World Champion, Nicki Pedersen. A superb race by Harris to beat Pedersen that had the crowd on their feet! He also beat current World Champion, Jason Crump and Rune Holta in heat 17 to earn his place in the semi’s.
Bomber admitted, “I ballsed it up in the semi-final. We did all he hard work getting to the semis but it was always going to be a tough order to come from gate four. I’ve got to take a lot of positives from this first GP and carry them on to the next one.”
The demeanour of the Coventry captain appeared very relaxed and confident, with some very determined rides against classy opposition. This was a contrast to last season when he was struggling, perhaps a change in attitude? “I just changed a few things over the winter. I tried to sort my head out and I’ve only got the people around me I actually need. I’ve not got a big group of people here with me and it’s definitely working and helping me to focus.”
As for the majority of GP riders, the volcanic ash had disrupted many plans logistically in the run-up the to the Leszno GP weekend. This affected the 27 year old more than most, with him having to miss an Elite League fixture. “It has been tough. I had to miss riding for Coventry on Thursday unfortunately, as I had to drive to Poland after the match at Poole Wednesday night. Luckily Coventry won!”
There was praise for a track that produced excellent racing after many complaints of track conditions in previous GP seasons leading to processional races. “The track was a lot better tonight, a little bit more material than normal. It did get a bit slick towards the end but of course if you can make the starts, it makes life a lot easier.”
The next GP is on a man-made track in Sweden at the Ullevi Stadium. Bomber was already looking ahead to the next one to see if he could improve on his total of eight points that put him in equal eighth position with a handful of riders.
“I had two wins, I will chuck the other results away. I can now aim for the same and better in Sweden. Roll on Gothenburg!”
It was an up and down night for Bomber Harris that lacked consistency, two wins, including one over three times World Champion, Nicki Pedersen. A superb race by Harris to beat Pedersen that had the crowd on their feet! He also beat current World Champion, Jason Crump and Rune Holta in heat 17 to earn his place in the semi’s.
Bomber admitted, “I ballsed it up in the semi-final. We did all he hard work getting to the semis but it was always going to be a tough order to come from gate four. I’ve got to take a lot of positives from this first GP and carry them on to the next one.”
The demeanour of the Coventry captain appeared very relaxed and confident, with some very determined rides against classy opposition. This was a contrast to last season when he was struggling, perhaps a change in attitude? “I just changed a few things over the winter. I tried to sort my head out and I’ve only got the people around me I actually need. I’ve not got a big group of people here with me and it’s definitely working and helping me to focus.”
As for the majority of GP riders, the volcanic ash had disrupted many plans logistically in the run-up the to the Leszno GP weekend. This affected the 27 year old more than most, with him having to miss an Elite League fixture. “It has been tough. I had to miss riding for Coventry on Thursday unfortunately, as I had to drive to Poland after the match at Poole Wednesday night. Luckily Coventry won!”
There was praise for a track that produced excellent racing after many complaints of track conditions in previous GP seasons leading to processional races. “The track was a lot better tonight, a little bit more material than normal. It did get a bit slick towards the end but of course if you can make the starts, it makes life a lot easier.”
The next GP is on a man-made track in Sweden at the Ullevi Stadium. Bomber was already looking ahead to the next one to see if he could improve on his total of eight points that put him in equal eighth position with a handful of riders.
“I had two wins, I will chuck the other results away. I can now aim for the same and better in Sweden. Roll on Gothenburg!”
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