TORUN SGP reserve Artur Mroczka lost out on a place in the World Under-21 final after miscounting the laps in a race in Saturday’s semi-final at Landshut.
TORUN SGP reserve Artur Mroczka lost out on a place in the World Under-21 final after miscounting the laps in a race in Saturday’s semi-final at Landshut.
Mroczka missed the cut by a point - allowing reigning Under-21 Champion Darcy Ward to claim the seventh and final qualifying spot - when he slowed down after three laps in his final ride.
Mroczka, who had bitten the bullet to ride with ankle and shoulder injuries after his crash in Torun, collected eight points from his opening four rides and looked well on course for the three-legged final.
But he saw his hopes disappear when he shut off his gas following the completion of the third lap of Heat 18 when he was in second spot. He was then passed by two of his rivals, and finished last in the race.
Mroczka’s manager, Maciej Simionkowski, said: “Artur was second after three laps but then closed off the gas because he apparently thought the race was finished, even though it was only three laps.
“I wasn’t at the meeting but I spoke with Artur on the phone. I’m confused because I don’t really know why it happened.
“The World Under-21 title was one of our biggest goals of the season, and Artur is absolutely gutted.”
speedwaygp.com
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