TAI – JUST LIKE LAST YEAR?
TAI Woffinden admits he is starting to make comparisons with last season as he prepares for a massive weekend of racing.
The reigning world champion heads to the G&B Arena in Malilla on Saturday for the Swedish FIM Speedway Grand Prix as joint leader of the championship alongside the iconic Greg Hancock.And 48-hours later he will be back on home shale in England when he defends his British title at Wolverhampton’s Monmore Green Stadium on Monday.
Last season was special for the Scunthorpe-born racer who won both the national and world crown for the first time.
And he recalls how he had two bad meetings on the way to the sport’s ultimate prize – the same amount as he’s had already this season.
“Last year I had two bad Grand Prix meetings, and I started this year with two bad ones so hopefully they are out of the way and it’s onwards and upwards from here,” said Woffinden.“I’ve got to be happy with recent form, to reach the final in Finland and top score was awesome and then to win in Prague was a great feeling again.
“I’m feeling good and hopefully my season turns out like it did last year, but there’s a long way to go!”
The SGP tour returns to Malilla, one of the best race tracks in the sport, after an absence of one year.
And Woffinden said: “It’s good for the GP to be going back there, it’s a natural racing track, a good shape and you can really express yourself around there. I’m looking forward to the meeting.“The title race is wide open and I’m just pleased to be back in the equation after two poor meetings to start with.
“The way the title race is right now, anybody from 8, maybe 10, riders can go on and win the world championship, it’s amazing. I just have to focus on my consistency and keep it going.”Woffinden admits winning his first British title last season was something special – and he wants more of the same on Monday!
“I was so pleased with that and it’s a moment I won’t forget in a hurry,” he said.
“It was a special time for me because it was around the time I had just won my first GP in Prague so everything was going so well for me, but as we know anything can happen in speedway!“If I can come away from the weekend still in contention at the top of the world championship and defend my British title successfully then I will be a happy man!”Viewers in the UK can watch Saturday’s SGP live on Quest – Freeview 37, Sky 167 and Virgin 172 – from 6pm.
Monday’s British Final will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.30pm.
