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Gollob: too quick for rivals

I'm very happy, it's been a lucky day to me.

Tomasz Gollob
Quotes of the week

Slovenian Grand Prix result:
1. T Gollob (Pol) (19 points)
2. N Pedersen (Den) (17 points)
3. H Andersen (Den) (15 points)
4. A Jonsson (Swe) (12 points)

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• British Speedway standings

Tomasz Gollob claimed an impressive victory at the Slovenian Grand Prix.

The Polish veteran took advantage of the inside gate to lead from start-to-finish in both his semi-final and final to take the early lead in the world championship.

"I'm very happy, it's been a lucky day to me," he said. "In the last race with Nicki (Pedersen), we had a quick start from the first gate and then I was ahead at the first corner.

"It's a good start for me, maybe the next GP at home my luck will strike again and it will be the same result."

Pedersen second

Defending champion Pedersen held off Danish compatriot Hans Andersen for second, while the other finalist Andreas Jonsson was excluded for a false start.

The Swede attempted to get a flyer out of gate three but went far too early and was correctly left out of the re-start.

Gollob claimed 19 points for his evening's work to edge ahead of Pedersen (17 points) and Andersen (14 points) in the overall standings.

Persistent drizzle meant conditions worsened throughout the 20 heats, the difficult conditions seemed to suit Jonsson, who was the leading qualifier with three victories.

Brits miss out

But it was a disappointing evening for the British contingent - Scott Nicholls and Chris Harris - neither of whom made it through to the semi-finals.

Harris finished with six points from his five heats, managing one second and four third-placed finishes.

Compatriot Nicholls faired a little better, picking up one more point although it still wasn't enough to get him into the top eight.

He was just pipped out of victory in a crucial 19th heat by Fredrik Lindgren, a two-point haul leaving him just short.