Last nights Slovenian Grand Prix in Krsko came down to the luck of the draw with the inside gates winning 18 of the 23 heats. With Greg drawing start number 3, this meant that he had gate 3 twice in his first two rides. The riders had complained about the lack of fairness in the starting gates at the riders briefing prior to the Grand Prix. This is the second time in the last three Grand Prix’s, Malilla being the other, that the outcome was greatly influenced by the luck of the draw.
Greg’s Grand Prix started off well, with 2 points from the unlucky gate 3 in heat 1 with series leader Jason Crump leading the way home. Greg kept the pressure on Jason the entire race and was close to passing him at the end of lap 3 but Jason held his line and Greg settled for a well deserved 2nd. Greg was determined not to let the draw stop him in his quest for a spot in the final.
After the interval, Greg had his first start from the favored inside gates and made the most of it with a wire to wire win in heat 15. With a semi-final spot pretty much secure going into his last heat, Greg needed another win to have a chance to be able to choose a favorable starting position. Coming from the inside gate, Greg failed to make the start but was battling for the lead going into turn 4 when he hit a hole while turning which caused the bike to lift out of control. In a dramatic crash the bike catapulted over the crash wall into the safety zone. Luckily the bike didn’t hit anyone and the other riders didn’t hit Greg. With an exclusion, Greg was left with 8 points and a spot in semi-final 1.
Starting out of gate 3 in the semi Greg had a tough battle ahead. Greg made a good start but was not quite able to get across Leigh Adams going into turn 1 and was left to battle for second place but was not able to catch Tomasz Gollob for a spot in the final.
With only 9 points from the Grand Prix, Greg dropped down to 4th overall in the series 4 points behind Tomasz and 14 points behind eventual winner Emil Sayfutdinov. After the meeting said “It is a shame that a Grand Prix has to come down to the luck of the draw. All the riders ask for is, that all the starting positions are as equal as possible. I tried best with what I was dealt with and was left disappointed not to be able to gain any ground on series leader Jason Crump. The last two Grand Prix, I have had the chance to do just that, but haven’t been able to make the starts in the semi’s.” Greg further said that the lack of making to the finals, is down to him and not equipment. “The team has given me the best bikes on the night and I feel gutted that I have let them down.” With two Grand Prix’ left, the silver medal is still up for grabs. “I will be going flat out to achieve that goal”, Greg said.