Intro:

Veteran 44 year-old Greg Hancock of the United States collected his third Speedway World Championship title despite going out in the semi-finals and Krzysztof Kasprzak won his home event to claim the silver medal at the season-ending Grand Prix of Poland in Torun on Saturday (11th October).

Script:

The Speedway World Championship season reached its climax on Saturday with the 12th and final round, the Grand Prix of Poland at the Marian Rose Motoarena in Torun.

Greg Hancock of the United States came into the event as the standings leader, with a 12-point lead over local hero Krzysztof Kasprzak.

Just ten points on the night would secure a third world title for the veteran 44 year-old.

The ambulance made an early appearance and was brought out onto the track after the fourth heat of the competition was suspended following a heavy fall from Michael Jepsen Jensen.

Fortunately the Dane was not seriously hurt - yet a painful broken collarbone.

Hancock won his first two heats and picked up two points from a second place in his third.

Another second place got him into double figures and now only disaster could prevent a third world crown going the American's way, 17 years after his first.

Despite Hancock leading his semi-final race, the veteran suffered a mechanical failure and missed out on the final.

Yet, the American knew something drastic was needed for him to lose the title.

Local man Kasprzak needed a win and by some margin to overhaul the American.

The Pole did win his home Grand Prix, however it wasn't enough to stop Hancock winning the title at a ripe old age of 4 & the Poles happy with their hero's second place.

As was Hancock who secured his third title after winning the first 17-years-ago.