Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1031651
IN THE WIND P36 WOFFINDEN WINS GERMAN SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX G reat Britain racer Tai Woffin- den said, "It's the business end of the season now and I mean business," after taking a gi- ant stride towards a historic third FIM Speedway World Champi- onship with German Speedway Grand Prix victory in Teterow, September 23. The Scunthorpe-born star topped the Bergring Arena po- dium ahead of reigning champi- on Jason Doyle, title rival Bartosz Zmarzlik and American legend Greg Hancock. Woffinden ended his night on a total of 16 points, extending his advantage at the top of the standings to 10 after Zmarzlik scored 15. This means 12 points at the Torun SGP of Poland on October 6 will guarantee Woffy his third world title irrespective of what Zmarzlik scores in his homeland. Woffinden said, "I think I've had three or four GPs, where I wouldn't say I have been strug- gling a little bit, but I was just not on my day. But it's the business end of the season now and I mean business. I've proved that and I'm ready to go to Torun in two weeks and lift that trophy. Second-placed Doyle surged up to sixth in the standings after storming to 16 points. He has now racked up 33 points in just two rounds as he moves closer and closer to guaranteeing his place in SGP 2019. But the Newcastle-born racer knows there's plenty of work to do on one of the world's great racetracks in Torun. Doyle, who has never finished below fifth in the world cham- pionship, said, "Hopefully I can get in that top eight. That's the main goal now and the last one in Torun is going to be very dif- ficult. There are some fast riders who can go there and score big points." Third-placed Zmarzlik was content with his night's work—not least after a dramatic improve- ment on the two points he scored in Teterow last year. Zmarzlik said, "Today was not so bad. I am happy because I scored 15 points and it wasn't such a bad result. All the time I remember last year here—I only scored two points. This was a little bit better and I am happy because I stayed in the top two." Greg Hancock rode into the final with a spirited performance only to trail in last place, but his position overall puts him in a good position to qualify for next year GPs. There was bad news for SGP duo Craig Cook and Martin Vaculik after the pair withdrew from the Teterow event following crashes in heat four. Cook sus- tained a suspected broken wrist, while Vaculik had concerns over a shoulder problem. John Hipkiss 1. Tai Woffinden (16) 2. Jason Doyle (16) 3. Bartosz Zmarzlik (15) 4. Greg Hancock (12) 5. Matej Zagar (12) Winner Tai Woffiden gets a front wheel on Greg Hancock (red helmet), Jason Doyle (yellow helmet) and Bartosz Zmarzlik (white helmet) in Germany. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN HIPKISS