Thursday 19th July 2012, 12:55

Team Great Britain boss Neil Middleditch admits his side were stumped by setup problems as they crashed out of the FIM Monster Energy Speedway World Cup in last Thursday’s Race Off.

The Poole team manager saw his side edge within two points of meeting winners Denmark after heat eight, when Tai Woffinden picked up a tactical joker win for the Lions.

But they failed to build on this. Despite Woffinden racking up 14 and SGP rider Chris Harris accruing 11, three points from Danny King and two from Scott Nicholls gave the Brits a mountain to climb.

Middleditch’s men won just three of the 20 heats and the former British Under-21 champion was gutted to see his men slip further and further adrift of the Danes and Poles.

He said: “We just seemed to run out of speed. They did a big track grade in the interval and then we seemed to lose our way a little bit. We couldn’t match the speed and our equipment wasn’t quick enough.

“We were in the mix halfway through and things were looking good. But Scott had a bit of a mare and he’s obviously very upset about it because we know Scott is better than that. It’s just one of those things.

"Last places are a no, no in this competition and unfortunately we had too many of them.

“All four of my boys all ride here in Sweden. They should know the setups by now, but we were just out-ridden on Thursday.”

Middleditch was keen to take some positives from FIM Monster Energy SWC week, as Woffinden and Harris both performed solidly on the international stage.

He said: “Tai was the shining light and he was good. He was really up for it. Tai was coming back after injury and really showed what he is capable of. To be fair, Chris has had a great World Cup. He really showed the Bomber of old, particularly at King’s Lynn.

“He battled away in Malilla and showed what he is capable of. I think Bomber can take some positives from the World Cup.”

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