Pirates: Watt excited by GP finale (From Bournemouth Echo)

Pirates: Watt excited by GP finale

7:00am Saturday 28th August 2010 in

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DAVEY Watt admits it feels “unreal” to be given the opportunity to line up in the final four Grand Prix rounds of the campaign after starting 2010 as series second reserve.

But Pirates’ captain believes the hard work he put in last year fully justifies his unexpected elevation into the World Championship ranks.

Watt, 32, starts only the second GP appearance of his career at Gorican in Croatia today (6pm) alongside fellow Poole Castle Cover rider Chris Holder, reigning champion Jason Crump and Kenneth Bjerre in heat four.

Unlike Holder, the Queenslander isn’t a fully-fledged GP regular.

He’s temporarily stepping up to replace injured Emil Sajfutdinov after he took a fall in the last round at Malilla.

The Russian’s comeback from a broken arm ended with him spraining a wrist that will sideline him for at least a further two months.

Watt, eager today to build on his debut six-point GP performance at Cardiff in July, should also feature at Vojens and Terenzano next month and at Bydgoszcz in October.

Asked how lucky he felt to be called up after first reserve Piotr Protasiewicz declined, the Aussie said: “Very lucky.

“In saying that, I did work very hard for it last year (when Watt finished seventh in the GP Challenge).

“I understand it’s not every day the second reserve gets to ride in five GP rounds in a season.

“It’s pretty unreal and I’m very grateful for it.

“It’s a shame for Emil. I’ve known him for years and we used to ride together in Sweden.

“I do feel sorry for him, but I have to take my chance at the same time.”

The 320-metre Gorican track is the newest on the GP circuit and was only officially opened in 2005.

Watt said: “I’ve never ridden there before, so I’m really looking forward to it. It’s always nice to go to a new track.

“A lot of guys have maybe been there just once, but it’s not a track they go to all the time, so it’ll be a good fair meeting.

“My aim is the same as Cardiff, just to go out and enjoy it.

“I don’t have a World Championship title to chase or a top-eight place to chase. I’m just going for the highest possible finish I can get.”