Cypress’ Ermolenko Is Lone U.S. Cyclist in the World Final

Speedway motorcyclist Sam Ermolenko of Cypress will be the lone American representative in the World Final today in Chorzow, Poland.

Ermolenko stunned the speedway world last year when he tied Danish stars Erik Gundersen and Hans Nielsen for first place in his first World Final appearance in Great Britain. Gundersen won his second straight title in a runoff, with Nielsen second and Ermolenko third.

All three riders have qualified for today’s race and, once again, they are the favorites to win the title among the 16-rider field. Ermolenko is considering a change in equipment following a sub-par performance in the InterContinental Final last month.

English tuner Don Godden has loaned Ermolenko the same engine that the late Kenny Carter used to win the championship of Great Britain two years ago. Ermolenko has been racing bikes powered by Italian-built GM engines most of the season.

Ermolenko wasn’t happy with his equipment following a fifth-place finish in the InterContinental Final, saying, “We’ve got to regroup my equipment and get all the engines sorted out for the World Final.”

Ermolenko will also be riding with a nagging injury he suffered last week when he was struck in the eye by a stone while standing in the pit area for the British Speedway League match at Cradley Heath.

“The injury won’t keep me out of practice or the race,” Ermolenko said. “It’s going to take more than a sore eye to keep me out of the world championship.”