Pedersen Aiming For First Final in Wroclaw

The Speedway Grand Prix rolls into Wroclaw Poland tonight with current leader Nicki Pedersen knowing that if he wants to keep up his excellent start to the campaign he will have to achieve a place in the final for the first time. This is the ninth time The Olympic Stadium will host a Grand Prix and Pedersen is yet to finish in the top four. Last year he led the qualifying stages with 14 points but was beaten at the semi final stage as Jason Crump took the title. Crump will certainly want to improve on his lacklustre performance in Lonigo two weeks ago and his knowledge of the 387-metre circuit where he holds the track record could prove vital.

The evergreen Greg Hancock will also fancy his chances on a track he knows as well as anyone having finished second last year. As usual the home riders Tomasz Gollob, Jarek Hampel and Wieslaw Jagus will receive tremendous support. They will also have had the advantage of a closed practice session. Gollob has won more Grand Prix heats on the track than anyone except for former World Champion Tony Rickardsson. Jagus proved the surprise packet in Italy and another good appearance will certainly establish the 31-year-old in the top flight.

Once again its likely to be a learning exercise for Britain's Chris Harris who showed considerable promise in his first outing. His team mate Scott Nicholls enjoyed success last season reaching the semi final and it would be the perfect celebration for the Coventry Bee to produce a repeat performance having just become a father for the first time.

Draw: Chris Harris (GB): Greg Hancock (USA): Nicki Pedersen (DEN): Sebastian Ulamek (CZ): Leigh Adams (AUS): Rune Holta (NOR): Jarek Hampel (POL): Hans Andersen (DEN): Antonio Lindback (SWE): Wieslaw Jagus (POL): Tomasz Gollob (POL): Bjarne Pedersen (DEN): Jason Crump (AUS): Scott Nicholls (GB): Matej Zagar (SLO): Andreas Jonsson (SWE)