Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

final, but like the previous round in Sweden he finished last, which disappointed him at the very scene of his finest moment in the sport - he won the British GP last year and was more than hopeful of doing the same this year. But again he has set himself high standards with one round to go. Hancock was naturally upset about finishing last in the A finaL "That's the second time on the trot and if I had gained two wins, there is no doubt I could be up there challenging for the title," Hancock said. "But when I look back on this season, I know I will feel pretty happy about the way I have developed on the world scene and I have to stay positive about everything. I have always worked hard during the qualifying races, but when I get to the A final I just haven't been able to get it together and that's a bit frustrating for me." Sam Ermolenko was the only other American in the field and he continued his recovery from injury, looking more fit and faster than he has for some time. Ermolenko has had all sorts of problems with machInery and fitness throughout the season, but he is starting to look stronger and next season he could well be back to the Ermolenko who won the 1993 world title in Germany. The London Stadium was a picture with all the redevelopment work which has taken place there in the past 12 months. QUALlFYlt.-IG HEATS Team Exide, Hancock and Hamill, took the opportunity to entertain guests in the restaurant - and they were rewarded with yet another super display by both start men. Hamill had a dream start with victory in heat one, showing great character after a rerun was needed when Tony Rickardsson and Chris Louis crashed after Joe Screen went under them on th.e • first turn. He was a dear leader when the race was stopped and many people felt he would be up against it to do it all again. But that's exactly what he did, and he won .with some time to spare as Rickardsson, LouIs and Screen battled it out for the minor placings. . Hamill punched the air with delight after his victory - you could almost sense the relief as he returned to the pits, as the pressure was on him to keep up the heat in the race for the title. Ermolenko and Hancock were set to run in heat two, but they had a lot to live up to after Hamill's victory, and it was.5wede Peter Karlsson who shocked them both by making a flying start and leading comfortably after a clever first turn to squeeze out both Hancock and Ermolenko. Ermolenko just did enough down the back straight to get the better of Hancock, who was forced to settle for a single point from his opening ride, with Craig Boyce finishing last. Series leader Nielsen made his first appearance in heat three, and he was up against London rider Leigh Adams from AustraJJa, who many felt would do well on the track he is so familiar with. But Adams could do nothing to stop the master from opening his account with a maximum return. Nielsen blasted away from the start in breathtaking style and he never looked back. This was clearly a warning to Hamill and anybody else who had ideas of dislodging Nielsen from the top of the tree. Henka Gustafsson, the spectacular Swede who often goes so near to and yet so far from success, had a perfect start to his British GP with victory in heat four, but it was sad to see Dane (Left) Tomasz Gollob and Hans Nielsen battle during race 16. Gollob took the win. Favored in the championship, Nielsen finished second in the A final to solidify his points lead. (Below) Greg Hancock leads Hamill with Crump on the outside during heat six. Hancock defeated teammate Hamill, taking away Hamill's chance to overtake Nielsen on the leaderboard. Tommy Knudsen struggling for fitness after sustaining a broken collarbone in the Italian GP. He had not ridden since then, and thIs was obvious as he looked uncomfortable going around the bends and was obviously nervous about suffering another injury. Crump picked up second place in this race to open his account, but it was obvious as the track settled down that unless you made the gate it was always going to be difficult to pass the leaders. Thankfully, that proved to be dilierent later in the event. Karlsson, who broke the track record in heat two, took an early lead with another superb performance in heat five, but perhaps more significantly, ielsen was relegated to thIrd which gave plenty of hope to other riders. ielsen was squeezed out at the start and there was simply no stopping Karls(Lett) Sam Ermolenko (middle) dives under Tony Rlckardsson In race 13 to take three points. Ermolenko went on to finish second In the C final, while Rickardsson finished fourth. son, who looked the fastest man in the show at this stage. Team Exide clashed in heat six, with Hamill up against Hancock - and it was Hancock who got the edge with a superb start, and he made no mistakes to roar on to victory. He looked confident and, just like Hamill in his opening ride, he punched the air with relief as he secured his first victory. Hamill was not so happy as he was pushed back to third when he had the ideal opportunity to take over Nielsen on the leaderboard. Ermolenko also was relegated to third in heat 7, which was a surprise as the lineup looked relatively easy for Ermolenko, Louis winning with Andy Smith second. After a couple of rides each, Karlsson was the clear leader with a handful of riders trailing two points behind him. The middle part of the meeting was predictable, with most races decided from the gate, but Hamill and Hancock went about their business in a professional manner to ensure themselves places in the A final. Hancock was successful in heats nine and 19 to put him on 11 points, and he was assured of a place in the top-scoring race - but for Hamill it was an anxious wait as he finished on 10 points with Karlsson lining up against Crump in heat 20. Both riders had the chance to better Hamill's score. But Karlsson hit the tapes and that ensured Hamill's place in the final with Crump, Nielsen and Hancock. GRAND PRIX HEATS The D final victory was taken by Boyce.as he led Adams and Smith across the line. The off, form Knudsen was excluded. Ermolenko was a superb winner of the C final and he deserves great credit for that as it again proved what a strong character he is, getting the better of Screen, Rickardsson and LouIs. Gollob got the better of Karlsson, Loram and Gustafsson in the B final. The A final had to be seen to be believed. Crump made the start and Nielsen made a brave move on the first bend to edge past him - only for Hamill to dive between both of them to nudge ahead before hitting problems in the third turn and going to the back. This left Crump dear of Nielsen, and although Hamill edged out Hancock, it was too late to get the better of ielsen. a British Grand Prix London, England Results: August 31, 1996 (Round 5 of 6) Cr.md Prix Heats D FINAL, 1. Craig Boy""; 2. Legh Adams; 3. Andy Smith; 4. Tommy Knudsen. C FINAL, 1. Joe Screen; 2. Sam Ermolenko; 3. Chris Louis; 4. Tony Rickardsson. B FINAl: 1. Tomasz Collob; 2. Peter Karlsson; 3. Mark Loram; 4. Henrik Custafsson. A FINAL: 1. Jason Crump; 2. Hans Nielsen; 3. Billy HamiJ1; 4. Greg Hancock. WORLD INDIVIDUAL SPEEDWAY C'SHIP SERIES STANDINGS (After 4 of 6 rounds): 1. Hans Nielsen (97/2 wins); 2. Billy Hamill (gg/I); 3. Tony Rkkardsson (7S); 4. Greg Hanc:ocl<(70); S. Henrik Gustafsson (67); 6. Peter Karlsson (50); 7. Chris Louis (45); 8. Tomasz Gollob'(43); 9. Tommy Knudsen (42/1); 10. Jason Crump (39/1); II. Mark Loram (38); 12. Sam Ermolenko (36); 13. Joe Screen (31); 14. Gary Havelock (27); 1S. Leigh Adams (24); 16. Craig Boy"" (24); 17. Andy Smith (22~ 18. Marvyn Cox.(19); 19. Riss Gerd (12); 20. Stefan Alfonso (6). Upcoming Round: Round 6 - Vojens, Denmar1<, September 21 13

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