Twenty-four four thousand fans rose as one to salute a home hero's victory in the 2008 FIM BZ WBK European Speedway Grand Prix at Leszno on Saturday … but it wasn't a Polish rider standing on top of the rostrum.

Australian Leigh Adams, who has ridden for the Leszno club in the  Polish League for 14 seasons, was given a tumultuous reception after a fantastic performance that has put his World championship bid back on course after a disappointing opening round in Slovenia two weeks ago.
Adams won the final ahead of another 37-year-old, American Greg Hancock, who also had three seasons with Leszno, while defending World Champion Nicki Pedersen was third, which was enough to give him a two point lead in this year's title pursuit.

Pedersen, second in Slovenia, qualified for the final despite crashing on the final bend of his semi-final after 2006 World Champion Jason Crump had attempted to pass him on the inside.

German referee Frank Ziegler excluded Crump and awarded Pedersen second place though many claimed that this was contrary to FIM rules and that as the Dane did not cross the finish line, and the race hadn't been stopped, Poland’s Tomasz Gollob should have gone through.

Gollob, like Hancock, had started with three race wins and looked unbeatable but as the night wore on the Polish superstar waned and lost a golden opportunity to add a second victory after his triumph in Slovenia.

Adams, despite a third ride blip and a last place, fought back strongly and ultimately it was wild card Jarek Hampel who was the only Polish rider in the final. He had first choice of gate but never figured in the contest as Adams, using all his vast knowledge of the track, held off every effort of the rejuvenated Hancock.

"The 2008 World Championship starts now," said an excited Adams. "We have put Krsko behind us. This is the one that I really wanted to win, it is my adopted home. The Leszno club did a fantastic job, the track was great, the atmosphere was terrific and I am right back in the race."

Hancock, who dropped just one point in his five qualifying heats, showed what a class act he is, on and off the track.

Pedersen, though disappointed not to win, looked at the bigger picture and will settle for a two points lead going into the third round in Gothenburg, Sweden, in two weeks.

Gollob is still in the mix at the top and no one rider has so far broken away, which augurs well for the rest of the season.

SCORERS:
L.Adams (Australia) 20, G.Hancock (USA) 20, N.Pedersen (Denmark) 16, J.Hampel (Poland) 16, T.Gollob (Poland) 12, N.Kristian-Iversen (Denmark) 10, A.Jonsson (Sweden) 9, J.Crump (Australia) 8, F.Lindgren (Sweden) 7, H.Andersen (Denmark) 6, C.Harris (Great Britain) 6, R.Holta (Poland) 4, L.Tomicek (Czech Republic) 3, K.Kasprzak (Poland) 3, L.Dryml (Czech Republic) 2, S.Nicholls (Great Britain) 2.

2008 World Championship:
N.Pedersen 33, T.Gollob 31, G.Hancock 28, L.Adams 25, A.Jonsson 21, H.Andersen 20, J.Crump 18, N.Kristian Iversen 18, J.Hampel 16, F.Lindgren 14, C.Harris 12, L.Dryml 11, R.Holta 9, S.Nicholls 9, K.Kaspzrak 9. M.Zagar 7, B.Pedersen 4, L.Tomicek 3.