GRESHAM Oxford Cheetahs star Jason Crump ended his grand prix blues with a brilliant performance in the third round at Vojens in Denmark last night, writes JOHN GAISFORD

The 23-year-old Australian reached the final to end a nightmare start to the series where he dipped out in the earlier rounds before the main event because of flu and cracked ribs.

However, last night he looked back to his brilliant best and although it was former Oxford skipper Hans Nielsen who won the final, Crumpie can be proud of his showing with his grand prix bid now back on track.

His superb effort has earned him a top eight seeding at Coventry in the fourth round on August 7.

Crump reached the main event for the first time this season and up against the likes of Tony Rickardsson, Greg Hancock and Louis, he had it all to do. He managed to finish ahead of Louis which took him into heat 15 clash with Billy Hamill.

Crump streaked clear of his field dumping Hamill out of the reckoning and punching the air as he took a victory lap. In the quarter-finals, his second place was enough to put him through to the last eight and although he couldn't cope with series favourite Rickardsson, world champion Hancock was left in his wake as he moved smoothly into the main final along with Nielsen, Rickardsson and Louis.

After Rickardsson and Louis had picked the inside gates, Nielsen took the third grid leaving Crump with the outside.

There was not a lot to choose between them into the bend, but Nielsen soon took command with Louis and Rickardsson leaving the Oxford man at the back. Try as he might, Crump could not make up the ground.

Crump's 16 point haul took his tally to 22 for the series.

Top eight are Rickardsson 68, Nilsen 46, Nielsen 45, Hamill 44, Louis 43,Gollob 40, Hancock 30, Gustaffson 29. HEAT DETAILS

Heat 1: Louis, Crump, Boyce, Gunnestad. Heat 2: Andersen, Kasper, Loram, Adorjan. Heat 3: Karger, Sullivan, Castagna, Jensen. Heat 4: Danno, Adams, Ulamek, Protasiewicz. Heat 5: Protasiewicz, Castagna, Adorjan, Boyce. Heat 6: Gunnestad, Loram, Ulamek, Jensen. Heat 7: Louis, Karger, Kasper, Adams. Heat 8: Danno, Crump, Andersen, Sullivan. Heat 9: Loram, Protasiewicz, Adams, Sullivan. Heat 10: Andersen, Kasper, Gunnetad, Castagna. Heat 11: Hancoick, Rickardsson, Crump, Louis. Heat 12: Danno, Nielsen, Nilsen, Karger. Heat 13: Kasper, Loram, Hamill, Smith. Heat 14: Andersen, Gollob, Gustafsson, Protasiewicz (f/exc). Heat 15: Crump, Karger, Hamill, Protasiewicz. Heat 16: Louis, Nilsen, Gustafsson, Smith. Heat 17: Nieslen, Hancock, Kasper, Gollob. Heat 18: Rickardsson, Loram, Danno, Andersen (ret). Heat 19: Kasper, Crump, Nilsen, Andersen. Heat 20: Karger, Louis, Gollob, Danno

1st semi-final: Louis, Nielsen, Kasper, Loram. 2nd semi-final: Rickardsson, Crump, Hancock, Karger.

Consolation final: Kasper, Hancock, Karger, Loram.

Final: Nielsen, Louis, Rickardsson, Crump.

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