Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Anatomy of a controversy: (Right) Pole Tomasz Gollob (3) is just about to ram Billy Hamill (2), one of two times this occurred in heat 17. They both crashed the first time. (Below) The second time, only Gollob went down, but he still wasn't excluded. (Below right) In the pits afterward, the two riders and their teams nearly brawled. 'eli eve I am going to win a race," ickardsson said. "This meeting was t as tough as Prague, and if I made it ok easy, it's because I feel so confien!. But I know I have to stay with my t on the floor because anything can [,ppen in the next four rounds." ~Hamill was furious with GolIob, laiming that he could accept and nderstand the decision to allow him ack in the race the first lime but had ouble with the second decision not to dude the Pole. , "It was first-bend bunching and you ave to accept these things happen, but n for him to hit me on the third hirn .as a disgrace, and I'm not prepared to cept that," Hamill said. "He's known r doing that sort of thing and I appreate the World Championship is vital, ut people also have to realize that way is a dangerous sport. What he a_s trying to do, I really don't know t I'm happy to finish above him, and finish second and third in the series fat is good. If I can perhaps pick up a uple of wins between now and the d of the series, I can put pressure on ony - and that's what the other guys ill be looking for." 'Nielsen was angry wi th referee bdon, a man with whom he has ashed before, including a lime at the 3 World Final at Pocking, which was on by Sam Ermolenko. "I suggest he looks harder next lime, use he made a mistake in excluding e and that's the key issue as far as I'm ncemed," said Nielsen. "This has responsible job and he needs to take a man long, hard loo~ at himself before making any more decisions and ruining people's chances." Hancock was philosophical about his performance, which was more encouraging than at the first round in Prague. "That was a big disappointment for me and I feel so much happier with this; I just hope I can keep building on it," Hancock said. "I was numb after the first round. It didn't really sink in properly and I just hope I can get some consistency after this performance." ('N Rolstadlon Pocking, Germany Results: June 6, 1998 (Round 2 of 6) SEMI 1: 1. Tony Rickardsson; 2. Jimmy Nilsen; i Andy Smith. SEMI 2: 1. Billy Hamill; 2. Tomasz GoUoh; 3. Henka Gustafsson; 4. Greg Hancock B FINAL: 1. Henka Gustafsson; 2. Andy Smith; 3. Hans Nielsen; 4. Greg Hancock.. A FINAL: 1. Tony Rickardsson; 2. Billy Hamill; 3. Jimmy Nilsen; 4. Tomasz CoUob. FINAL SCORES: 1. Tony Rickardsson (25); 2. Jimmy Nilsen (20); 3. Billy Hamill (18); 4. Tomasz Gollob (16); S. Henka GUSlalsson (lS); 6. Andy Smith . (14); 7. Hans Nielsen (l2); 8. Greg Hancock (l0); 9. Chris Louis (8); 10. Peter Karlsson (8); 11. Mark Loraro (7); 12. Ryan Sullivan (7); 13. Stefan Danno (6); 14. Leigh Adams (6); 15. Armando Castagna (5); 16. Zoltan Adorjan (5); 17. Cmig Boyce (4); 18. Antonin Kasper (4); 19. Jason Crump '(3); 20. Jacek Krzyzaniak (3); 21. Gero Ril:ls (2); 22. Robert Barth (2); 23. Piotr Protasiewicz (1); 24. Sebastian Ulamek (1), WORLD INDlVIDUAL SPEEDWAY OIAMPIONSHIP PQrNT STANDINGS (After 2 of 6 rounds); 1. TQny Rickardsson (SO/2 wins); 2. (TIE) Billy Hamill/Jimmy Nilsen (38); 4. Tomasz Gollob (27); 5. (TIE) Chris louis/Henka Gustafsson (23); 7. (TiE) Hans Nielsen/Stefan Danno (20); 9. Ryan Sullivan (19); 10. (TIE) Greg Hancock/Leigh Adams/Andy Smith (16); 13. Mark Loram (3); 14. Zolta:n Adorjan (2); 15.Antonin Kasper (11); 16. Peter Karlsson (9); 17. Craig Boyce (7); 18. (TfE) Jason Crump/Armando Casbgna/Gero Riss (6). Upcoming Rounds: Round 3 - Vejens. Denmark. June 19 Round 4 - Bradford, England, August 7 Reigning World Champion Greg Hancock (1) had a much better result in Germany than his early elimination in Prague. Hancock made it through to the B final this time, but finished fourth. 33

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