SPEEDWAY: Robins captain Andersen makes semis at British Grand Prix (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Andersen defies injured arm to enjoy another good night at the Millenium

11:48am Wednesday 29th August 2012 in Sport

SWINDON ROBINS captain Hans Andersen again showed his liking for the track and atmosphere at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium when making the semi finals at the British Speedway Grand Prix.

But he just fell short of landing a place in the final for the fourth time in eight years.

Hans roared to victory in his first two heats, seeing off British duo Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris in Heat 1 and then former world champions Jason Crump and Nikki Pedersen in Heat 6.

Two subsequent runners-up spots behind eventual winner Chris Holder and Tomasz Gollob in Heats 11 and 13 meant that he could afford a last-place finish in Heat 20, when he suffered a burnt-out clutch, and still comfortably qualify for his semi final.

But the progressively slicker surface caught him out in the semi and he trailed in behind Holder, Antonio Lindback, and Gollob to end his interest in the competition.

Andersen, who was nursing an injured right arm, tweeted: “It wasn’t a bad night. Just a shame I could not have found that little bit extra.”

New dad Holder was winning at Cardiff for the second time in three years and put in a dominant performance with 23 points out of a possible 24.

He is now just one point behind series leader and reigning world champion Greg Hancock. Andersen, 31, is up to tenth position but needs to improve two more places to automatically qualify for next year’s championship.

After Monday night’s wash-out against Lakeside, Andersen’s Robins are due to challenge King’s Lynn away tonight and then face Coventry Bees at the Abbey tomorrow (Thursday).