There a couple of things that are pretty much a sure bet this year in international speedway.
One: there will be a new world champion.
Two: Countbacks will always be around and they will always be heartbreaking.
"I want to be in every final so to come here and not make the semi on countback for the second time this year kills me. I hate it." said Chris after his tough night at Torun last weekend.
Personally i have a problem with luck in sport. I have always been a strong believer that it didnt exist, or if it did it should be called something else. My opinion is changing. I have come around to that fact that things need to fall into place and the planets need to align for you in some respects. If you have all your systems in place the rest should be sorted right? Clearly this isn't the case. After seeing Chris be pipped at the post yet again by the count back system and after reviewing some critical moments in his heats, I have to say that he needed some luck. There you go I said it.
I have had the fortunate opportunity in a small way, to be apart of Team Holder over the past year or so. I can clearly remember pacing the hall at home with our new born daughter Ava in my arms trying to put her to sleep, at the same time chatting to CH on the other side of the world. Yes people I am a multi tasker. What is the point to all this you may ask? My point is that from then to now Chris maybe a year older but he is still focused, driven and gets dissapointed in the performances that don't go to plan. It's this last one that tells me CH is still on his game. He wants to make semis and finals. This is what drives him on a speedway bike.
Sure the last couple of rounds haven't gone to plan. But the fact remains Poland was still a very consistent performance. He proved he had the speed at times and got a good slice of points in the process.
Chris continues. "I had a good start to the meeting with a second in heat one, which was good. Then I had a tough one with Gollob and Hampel on my inside in race six. I felt I had a bit of speed in that one, but I tried to make a pass too quick and it killed my speed. So I ran a last".
With the track playing fairly slick on the weekend setups for many riders were a challenge. Some faired better than others, that was clear. Another thing that was clear was some great racing was delivered. Swapping sprokets, changing jetting and even ignition are just part and parcel of the modern speedway rider. The trick is, you don't have a lot of time to get it right. It only takes a couple of unclear decisions with your setup to make your night a real headache. One thing Chris wont do is look for excuses. He will however look for solutions. That's one aspect of many that a real fighter has in their arsenal.
With under a handful of rounds left in the GP season, and a bunched up field third through eight in the rankings, there is still enough time for Chris to prove to himself that he can finish off the great work he has already put into the series thus far.
Myself and good mate Myles from Unifilter have a made a deal to start saving for Cardiff in 2012. Whist I am pumped at the prospect, I'm pretty sure Myles has a better chance of getting there than I.
Me? I think I am going to need a little . . . luck.
