GRIGORY GRABS GUSTROW WIN
Russian racer Grigory Laguta announced his return to the international stage in style with victory in the opening round of the SEC series.
13 / 07 / 2019, 22:48
Russian racer Grigory Laguta announced his return to the international stage in style with victory in the opening round of the Speedway European Championship series in Gustrow on Saturday.
Laguta cruised straight into the final on 12 points along with World Under-21 champion Bartosz Smektala, who scored 11.
The Lublin man then won the final ahead of FIM Speedway Grand Prix frontrunner Leon Madsen, Smektala and Swedish star Antonio Lindback to top the standings on 15 points in the four-round series.
Lindback, who scored 11 in his heats, won the semi-final ahead of Madsen, who notched nine, as both SGP regulars qualified for the final, seeing off Michael Jepsen Jensen in third and German skipper Kai Huckenbeck in fourth.
Laguta has a three-point lead in top spot, with Smektala taking second overall on 12. Madsen and Lindback are in hot pursuit on 11 apiece, with MJJ on 10 and Huckenbeck on nine.
Triple world champion Nicki Pedersen bagged eight points along with Czech star Vaclav Milik, France international David Bellego and Polish prospect Kacper Woryna.
Former world No.2 Jaroslaw Hampel and Mikkel Michelsen scored seven each, while SGP first reserve Robert Lambert endured a tough night on a familiar track, registering four points.
The next round will be staged in Torun on July 27.
SEC STANDINGS: 1 Grigory Laguta 15, 2 Bartosz Smektala 12, 3 Leon Madsen 11, 4 Antonio Lindback 11, 5 Michael Jepsen Jensen 10, 6 Kai Huckenbeck 9, 7 Vaclav Milik 8, 8 David Bellego 8, 9 Kacper Woryna 8, 10 Nicki Pedersen 8, 11 Jaroslaw Hampel 7, 12 Mikkel Michelsen 7, 13 Robert Lambert 4, 14 Pawel Przedpelski 3, 15 Anders Thomsen 3, 16 Kevin Wolbert 3.