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FIM World Championship Speedway Grand Prix Series Round 7: Ullevi Stadium THE AUSSIE IS the British League, hooked up, pulling a massive wheelie while entering the back straight. That he managed to control his rearing machine and stay aboard was truly remarkable in itself, but that he then set about his three opponents to charge from last to first in the next three laps will surely become the stuff of legend. The fact that Adams and Sweden's Mikael Karlsson were among the men he reeled in said volumes about the STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOHN HIPKISS GOTHENBORG,SWEDEN,AOG.31 hl ussie star Leigh Adams finally a Grand Prix at the 42nd time of asking in Gothenburg, Sweden, but one man, and one man alone, was head and shoulders above the rest as World Championship speedway returned to the palatial Ullevi Stadium for the first time in II years. Tony Rickardsson may have finished behind Adams in the final of the Scandinavian GP in front of a bumper crowd of 26,250, but the superSwede looked every inch the World Champion in waiting - yet again. Rickardsson has conjured up some terrific feats in lifting the title on four previous occasions, but his exploits in Saturday's first semi-final on another unpredictable one-off track were close to being superhuman. Rickardsson, who rides for Poole in VU won ONE FOR ride of the night, the series, and quite possibly the year, as well. Karlsson had led the race for two laps after Rickardsson's passable impersonation of a bucking bronco, but he then lost out on a place in the final when Adams got past him on the last lap. Rickardsson, who had also come from the back to win heats 13 and 19 in contemptuous fashion, was unable to reproduce such an effort behind Adams in the final, but with Ryan Sul- 42 livan finishing last in the second semifinal, he is now nine points clear with three GPs to race - in Poland, Denmark and Australia. Adams, one of the most popular riders on the GP circuit, finally banished his reputation as the nearlyman of the GP series - and the victory crowned a special week for the Oxford favorite. Wife Kylie presented Adams with a daughter, Casey, last week. (Rightl Auatnu.'. Leigh Adams CfonIgrouncl)lIUIImentecI the joy of his newbom daughter'. arrivllJ with hi. first GP win In 42 starts at Ullevi Stadium In Qotenburg, Sweden. The win moved him to fourth In the series points standings. (Below) Adams (5) tailed off last at the start of The Final, behind (lett to right) Greg Hancock, Lukas Dryml and Tony Rickardsson, but made his way to the front for the win. Rlckardsson was second, followed by Dryml. "This win is a monkey off my back, and it has been a fantastic few days for me," Adams said. "A week ago, I was at the hospital with Kylie, and now I have a daughter and a Grand Prix victory." Jason Crump, who looked as if he was ready to issue a late challenge on Rickardsson and Sullivan's domination of this year's series, failed to reach the final, losing vital ground, but from the American perspective, there was another impressive showing from Greg Hancock, who progressed through to the final for the third successive round. Hancock, who had finished third in Stockholm and second in Prague in the previous two GPs, was fourth in Gothenburg and looks as if his place in the 2003 Grand Prix is all but secure. He has 78 points, and is 23 better off than Aussie Todd Wiltshire, 40 SEPTEMBER 18, 2002' cue • • n e ... s