August 27, 2006

Crump wins Speedway GP

Australian Jason Crump is the 2006 World Speedway Champion.

Crump won his second World Championship crown at the Grand Prix of Czech Republic in Prague on Saturday night and now becomes the most successful rider in Australian Speedway history.



The 31-year-old Queenslander, in dynamic form yet again, extended his lead to an unassailable 71-point lead in the series when nearest rival Greg Hancock managed just four points on the night.

For Crump, the World Championship was his by heat 15 when Hancock broke down at the start of the race, ensuring that Crump’s lead at the top of the standings could not be beaten.

“I didn't want to win it that way and it was cruel for Greg to lose his chance like that, but for me, this is just brilliant and something that I have worked hard for all season.”

“I take great satisfaction from this, and I want to thank all the people who have helped me to reach the summit. I have a dedicated team of staff who have worked hard all year, I have great sponsors who believe in me and I have a wonderful wife and two beautiful children who have been an unbelievable support and strength for me. This championship is for them also.” said the two-time World Champion.

“After losing the World Championship to Tony Rickardsson last year, I knew I had to make some tough decisions if I was to progress. And those decisions have paid off. I changed my machinery, restructured the whole operation of the team and set some goals and we have achieved the desired results. And to achieve the goals with two Grand Prix rounds remaining makes it all that more satisfying.”

Australia’s only other double World Speedway Champion was South Australian Jack Young who won his titles in 1951 and 1952 while fellow Australians Lionel Van Praag and Bluey Wilkinson each won World Championships in 1936 and 1938 respectively.



WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS After 8 rounds

1. JASON CRUMP, AUSTRALIA 170pts
2. GREG HANCOCK, USA 99pts
3. LEIGH ADAMS, AUSTRALIA 92pts
4. NIKKI PEDERSEN, DENMARK 91pts
5. ANDREAS JONSSON, SWEDEN 91pts
6. HANS ANDERSEN, DENMARK 88pts
7. JAROSLAW HAMPEL, POLAND 79pts
8. MATEJ ZAGAR, SLOVENIA 78pts
9. TOMASZ GOLLOB, POLAND 72pts
10. BJARNE PEDERSEN, DENMARK 68pts
11. SCOTT NICHOLLS, GREAT BRITAIN 67pts
12. ANTONIO LINDBACK, SWEDEN 66pts
13. NIELS-KRISTIAN IVERSEN, DENMARK 44pts
14. TONY RICKARDSSON, SWEDEN 41pts
15. LEE RICHARDSON, GREAT BRITAIN 37pts
16. PIOTR PROTASIEWICZ, POLAND 23pts
17. RYAN SULLIVAN, AUSTRALIA 16pts
18. FREDRIK LINDGREN, SWEDEN 7pts
19. KRZYSZTOF KASPRZAK, POLAND 6pts
20. LUBOS TOMISEK, CZECH REPUBLIC 4pts
21. SIMON STEAD, GREAT BRITAIN 3pts
22. MATEJ FERJAN, SLOVENIA 3pts
23.ADRIAN RYMEL, CZECH REPUBLIC 2pts
24. CHARLIE GJEDDE, DENMARK 1pts
25. KENNETH BJERRE, DENMARK 1pts