Speedway World Cup
Speedway World Cup: Adams gives Aussies a massive chance.
By Admin
Jul 20, 2007, 20:22

Australian captain Leigh Adams was pleased with the way his team rode at the 2007 FIM Speedway World Cup Race-Off, and warned rival countries that Australia are not racing to merely make up the numbers.

Adams played an instrumental part in Australia’s thrilling Race-Off victory, scoring 13 of a possible 15 points for the meeting, and led his chargers by example in an exquisite display of riding.

Currently sitting second in the FIM Individual Speedway World Championship, Adams said that winning the lead-up event to the final was what his team was looking for, and believes the Aussies have the rider line-up to go all the way.

“It was what we were after - we wanted to come here and win, we didn't want to just come here and qualify,” he admitted.

“It was tough going there and every team was going well. Obviously Russia was out of it, but Sweden was pushing everybody and it was just nice to get the win.

“But it is only the first part of the chapter, we've got try and just concentrate and drag ourselves up for Saturday. 

“It's going to be a lot tougher on Saturday, but in saying that, we've got the team to do it.”

Adams specifically pointed to the efforts of Chris Holder and Ryan Sullivan in the team’s win, and said that they are an important part of the formidable Australian line-up.

“To be honest, the young ones came on fantastic. 

“Chris Holder was absolutely brilliant, Ryan pulled it out didn't he?  He was just fantastic. 

“We were good the whole night - the way we placed the team was a little bit different to what we normally do and it was just working for us. 

“At the end of the day, if you've got a good team you are going to win.  It's simple, and we've got the riders.”

Having raced in Leszno for over a decade, the support for Adams from Polish Speedway fans is immense.

Walking the streets of the city square, everyone turns their head to get a glimpse of the Australian, and during the rider presentation, Adams received a louder ovation than the Polish team itself.

“I've been here 12 years so you kind of expect that. 

“It's a pretty awesome place here and it would be really special on Saturday for me to win here.”

If the way he led his team in action on Thursday night in Leszno is anything to go by, Saturday could bring the kind of “special” that he was referring to.