Cumberland-So Near
Posted 23/09/06

Kauko Nieminen excelled tonight in the Cumberland Classic at Workington, eventually finishing in second place in the run off for the title. Fellow Glasgow rider Robert Ksiezak, a late call up to the meeting also impressed finishing with a respectable 8 points in a high quality field.

The meeting was run over 20 heats with Kauko recording two second places and three firsts to finish equal top of the points table with Simon Stead and James Wright. Kauko had beaten both riders in the heats but the rules were that there would not be a count back if there was a tie for first place but that a run off would decide the winner.

Unfortunately in the run off Kauko missed the gate and although he was able to pass home favourite James Wright at the end of the opening lap he was unable to catch Simon Stead who got the win to claim the title. Stead had actually recorded four wins and a third in qualifying and broken the track record in one of his races.

Robert meantime rode consistently in a field made up mainly of Premier League heat leaders and second string riders, recording three second places and two thirds.

Well done to both riders on their performance and commiserations to Kauko in loosing out at the final hurdle.