Speedway Grand Prix

HAPPY HOLTA

FIM Torun SGP of Poland runner-up Rune Holta paid tribute to the Marian Rose Motoarena circuit for providing plenty of passing opportunities.

The Norwegian-born rider was a proud Polish international as he stood alongside winner Tomasz Gollob and third-placed Jaroslaw Hampel on the rostrum on Saturday night.

Holta produced his performance of the season so far, as he finished with 19 points and rocketed up to fifth place in the World Championship standings.

While Holta’s gating was not always the best, few riders used the Torun shale better and the Czestochowa and Dackarna man felt the track put on a great show for the first ever SGP meeting staged at the venue.

He said: “The track was very different on the day to what it was in practice. But that’s the way it is.

“It is a good race track. We all have different favourite tracks. But at least this is a track you can pass on.

“There were many racing lines and that's good for everyone – it’s good for the riders, for the crowd and the television. I think this is the future for the sport – on a good track like that.”

Holta felt he had the speed to overhaul Gollob in the final, but had to be content with the silver medal.

He added: “I actually thought I could have passed Gollob as well, but he stopped me on one corner and I actually had to shut off. My engine only worked on the higher revs so I just had to follow him home from then.

“He was fantastic – he really deserved to win, and I am really satisfied with the second place.”

Holta says he will now join Hampel and Gollob in Poland’s team for the Speedway World Cup, which gets underway when they face Denmark, Russia and the Czech Republic in Gorzow on July 24.

Having felt the passion of a sold out Motoarena crowd celebrating an historic Polish 1-2-3, the World No.7 cannot wait to help his adopted country fight to retain their title.

He said: “It was fantastic to stand on the podium with Gollob and Hampel. I’m in the Speedway World Cup team again and I’m really satisfied with being there. I’m really proud they want me this year as well.”

Subscribe to news via RSS Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter Email to a friend