Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

~ SPEED~AY W~d~~~~_~w_~~S_em_i.F_fua_l~~~~~~~~~~_ ~ Sam Ermolenko (2) heads Sweden's Tony Rickardsson (12) in a heat race. The American placed second to Denmark's Gert Handberg, and is favored to win the title. Californian Rick Miller (5) overcame a tum-one crash in his final race to advance to the World Speedway Championsl\ip Final, which will be held in Poland. Ermolenko (left) and Miller will join American Ronnie Correy in the finals. Ermolenko, Milleradvance to World Final By John Hipkiss WIENER NEUSTADT, AUSTRIA, AUG. 15 am Ermolenko goes into the final of this year's World Speedway Championship as a strong favorite to take that elusive title despite having to settle for second in the Austrian semi-final. Ermolenko collected 14 points to make sure of his place among the eight qualifiers and fellow Californian Rick Miller, who pick~ up 10 points to finish fourth, will be right there with him, linking up with the third American qualifier, Ronnie Correy, who qualified through the first semi-final S 16 held at Bradford, England, a week earlier. Top place on the scorecharts went to young Danish star Gert Handberg, who was the only man to beat Ermolenko and finished one point ahead with a maximum return from his five races. Fast getaways were crucial on the wide Austrian track and Handberg strung five together, but he will be riding in his first World Final in Poland and. at the age of 31 the seasoned Ermolenko is thought to have too much experience and track savvy for the young pretender when they meet again. But it was not all clear sailing for Ermolenko who looked to be in trouble when he fell in the opening race. He picked himself up and rejoined the race but he was chasing a lost cause until Norwegian rider Einar Kyllingstad fell on the third lap. The race was stopped, giving Ermolenko a second chance and in the restart he m1lde no mistake, leading all the way from the first turn. He cashed in on his luck by coming from behind to beat Danish ace Tommy Knudsen in his second ride and then swept past Hungarian Robert Nagy and Swede Tony Rickardsson to win his third outing. When Ermolenko met Handberg in his fourth heat, they were the only unbeaten riders in the meeting. Handberg kept his record clean by making another electrifying ·start and Ermolenko could not catch him.. Another win in his last heat saw Ermolenko comfortably through, but . he admitted he had not gone to Austria with the sole intention of simply grabbing one of the eight qualifying places - he wanted to win. But Handberg was just too fast for him from the starting gate. Ermolenko was not unduly worried about his defeat by Handberg. "He did well, but had it been the final I think I would have gone into the first turn a little harder. It's one down and one more to go and it will be an interesting final. Usually the best man wins it. I only made the gate once today, but we are working on that and I think we're getting close." Miller made a winning start to his series of races, finishing ahead of Czech rider Toni Kasper. He was beaten by Handberg the next time out but he was still high in points until he finished last to Ermolenko in his third heat. It seemed Miller's chances were over when he was caught up in a'first turn pile-up in his fourth outing. German rider Gerd Riss and New Zealander Mitch Shirra shunted into him and Miller came off worst. He was stretched out on the track for several minutes but bounced back to win the re-run. A second place performance in the last heat, behind Dane Brian Karger, saw him safel)'through to the World Final in Poland on August 29. "I have a few meetings before then and there is not much time to prepare and test bikes, but I guess they will be okay," Miller said. 0'

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