GREAT Britain stormed into the World Cup Final with a brilliant performance in front of a near-5,000 crowd at King’s Lynn.
GREAT Britain stormed into the World Cup Final with a brilliant performance in front of a near-5,000 crowd at King’s Lynn.
The hosts prevailed in an epic battle with Australia, and now join holders Poland as automatic qualifiers for Saturday’s showdown at Vojens.
Skipper Chris Harris produced a stunning ride in the penultimate race to overhaul Sweden’s Antonio Lindback and put Britain in the box seat, and Scott Nicholls wrapped up an inspired return to the team with the decisive win in Heat 25.
Lee Richardson, Simon Stead and Tai Woffinden all contributed fully to the victory, with Woffinden riding through the pain barrier after suffering damaged ribs in a heavy crash.
Harris said: “The team spirit was fantastic. It was probably the best it has been since I’ve been in Team GB. We came here to win and that’s what we’ve done.
“I’ve ridden in a few World Cups now and the atmosphere was the best it has ever been. We were behind each other every time. We were all there, encouraging the boys and just keeping the spirit alive.”
SCORES:
GREAT BRITAIN (WHITE): 51
Scott Nicholls (2-3-3-3-3) 14
Lee Richardson (1-2-2-2-3) 10
Tai Woffinden (2-X-2-3-0) 7
Simon Stead (3-2-1-1-X) 7
Chris Harris (3-3-3-1-3) 13
AUSTRALIA (BLUE): 48
Chris Holder (3-2-3-2-2) 12
Davey Watt (3-2-3-2-1) 11
Troy Batchelor (3-1-3-2-2) 11
Rory Schlein (2-X-1-2-1) 6
Darcy Ward (2-3-1-1-1) 8
SWEDEN (YELLOW): 40
Freddie Lindgren (X-6^-2-3-3) 14
Jonas Davidsson (2-3-2-3-1-3) 14
Antonio Lindback (1-1-1-1-2) 6
Magnus Zetterstrom (0-0-1-3-0-1) 5
Daniel Nermark (1-0-X) 1
FINLAND (RED): 14
Timo Lahti (X-0-0-0) 0
Joonas Kylmakorpi (0-1-2-0-4^-2) 9
Juha Hautamaki (0-1-0-0-1) 2
Kauko Nieminen (1-0-0-0-0) 1
Tero Aaranio (0-2-0-0-0) 2
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