STANDINGS leader Tai Woffinden revealed his delight that rival Darcy Ward was ‘back to his best’ after the Pirates captain cranked up the heat in the world championship title race.

Ward’s 15-point salvo at the British Grand Prix on Saturday allowed him to leap-frog Niels-Kristian Iversen into third in the Grand Prix standings.

Still nursing ruptured knee ligaments, Ward is now 15 points behind the Wolverhampton captain.

Woffinden, who yesterday announced he would take nine days out of speedway to recover from exhaustion, had earlier revealed that he relished being kept on his toes by Ward.

Woffinden told the Daily Echo: “Darcy was on the gas on Saturday and I’m happy for him – it’s great to see him back racing at his best.

“Darcy (pictured) has got so much talent and injury or not, he will keep pushing. He’s a great kid and what he does on a bike is awesome.

“The championship is still anyone’s and I’m pumped to be leading it after the two indoor meetings, I can’t ask for any more.

“It’s a close championship and I’m sure the fans are loving that, so I’m really going to have to push on.

“I’m sure it’s going to be one of the best world championships in recent times, but I’m not really keeping an eye on the standings because we’re still miles away from the end.

“It’s only when you get to the last three rounds that you need to start seeing what’s what, collecting points and not making silly moves.

“It’s too early to say whether it will go to the final round or not. Anything can happen.”