Intro:

Martin Smolinski won the opening round of the FIM Speedway World Championships in Auckland.

The German rider was making his Grand Prix debut.

Script:

A thrilling start to the new world championships, although Greg Hancock may not share such a view.

The American veteran missed out on the latter stages of the action in Auckland.

Nicki Pedersen was the most consistent performer in qualifying.

The Dane was unbeaten until held off by Fredrik Lindgren in the semis.

In Pedersen's wake back in Heat 14, Martin Smolinski was causing havoc.

Making his GP debut, the German received no points for taking out Darcy Ward.

But the 19-year-old from Munich showed incredible resilience and self-belief.

Like Hancock, another who failed to shine in front of the 15-thousand crowd at Western Springs Stadium was the defending world champion, Tai Woffinden.

The final was contested by Pedersen, Lindgren, Krzysztof Kasprzak and Smolinski.

The Polish star led for the opening two-and-a-half laps and looked destined for the win, until Pedersen dived up his inside.

Then, as Pedersen was fending off Kasprzak, Smolinski roared through on the inside off bend two on the final lap.

An audacious move - and the German managed to retain the lead to the chequered flag.

SOUNDBITE (English): Martin Smolinski

"I never give up, you know. I am clever. My team is working also ... my engines ... my whole system ... my personal trainer ... to be in the right moment in an extreme situation ... make a step back, like in boxing and then you go forward and you shoot back and that is what I have done. I mean, this is just the way how I am working. That is the main reason why ... I am not doing so many races but I am 100 per cent. Be fit on the right point, and here I am in the GPs and I win my first-ever GP and it is unbelievable."