MACIEJ Janowski came close to a maiden Elite League Riders’ Championship title but had to settle for third place at Leicester.

The Poole Pirates skipper qualified directly for the final courtesy of 13 points from five qualifying rides at the Beaumont Park circuit, which included four heat wins.

However, in an all-Grand Prix rider final, Lions charger Jason Doyle prevailed with Janowski back in third following a thrilling battle with Niels-Kristian Iversen.

Doyle had advanced to the final via an awarded semi-final following Hans Andersen’s spill, with reigning champion Troy Batchelor also making it through.

Doyle then added the ELRC title to his burgeoning CV as he became the seventh Australian in eight years to win the event.

Janowski’s Poole team-mate Chris Holder missed out on the semi-final by a single point.

The 2012 ELRC champion – who had never raced at Leicester before tonight – scored eight in his qualifying rides.

Holder did not win a race but finished second three times and was third twice.

QUALIFYING SCORES AND SELECTED HEAT RESULTS

Mikkel Bech (0-0-0-1-r) 1, Niels-Kristian Iversen (3-3-2-1-3) 12, Bjarne Pedersen (1-2-r-2-1) 6, Kenneth Bjerre (2-1-1-2-0) 6, Matej Zagar (3-1-r-1-2) 7, Scott Nicholls (1-1-3-3-2) 10, Richard Lawson (0-0-0-2-2) 4, Jason Doyle (2-3-3-2-2) 12, Chris Holder (2-2-2-1-1) 8, Freddie Lindgren (3-2-2-0-1) 8, Troy Batchelor (1-3-2-0-3) 9, Chris Harris (0-r) 0, Maciej Janowski (1-3-3-3-3) 12, Nick Morris (x-0-1-3-1) 5, Hans Andersen (3-1-3-0-3) 10, Szymon Wozniak (2-2-1-3-0) 8, Josh Auty (0-fx); Josh Bates (r-0) 0.

Semi-final: Doyle, Batchelor, Nicholls, Andersen (fell/dsq), awarded.

Final: Doyle, Iversen, Janowski, Batchelor, 64.31.