JASON Crump has admitted he "doesn't have any excuses" to make about his stuttering Grand Prix form as he continues to struggle to defend his World Championship title.

The Pirates star might have climbed one wrung up the ladder to fifth in the series after reaching the semi-final at Copenhagen on Saturday.

But he slipped 36 points behind overall leader Nicki Pedersen, who was runner-up behind shock winner Andreas Jonsson in front of a 30,000 crowd inside the Parken Stadium.

Crump's Poole Castle Cover team-mate Bjarne Pedersen, meanwhile, also continues to struggle in the GP.

Excluded for unfair riding in his opening heat, the Dane only got five points and remains in 13th place with a total of 21 - 12 adrift of an automatic re-qualification place with seven rounds to go.

Pirates asset Antonio Lindback, however, produced a rejuvenated performance to also reach the semis as he prepares to ride his first meeting on loan for Belle Vue at home to Lakeside in the Elite League tonight.

Crump, who has now failed to reach the final in six of the last seven GPs, was disappointed he only reeled off one heat win in six races and let slip his hold on second place in his semi to Tomasz Gollob.

After a great start, the Australian ran too wide on the fourth bend and Gollob didn't need a second invitation to dive under Crump while Leigh Adams won the race.

Crump said: "I simply don't have any excuses right now as to what is going wrong for me.

"I wish I did but I'm not going to lie and make up any old excuse, I just don't know why things are not happening for me in the GP this year.

"I know that I can do it, my form in the league proves that, but I just can't deliver it on the GP stage right now.

"I can assure everyone I'm giving it my best, but that is not proving good enough this year."

Crump, a two-time world champion, added: "I go into every meeting wanting to do my very best and I'm giving it 100 per cent every time, so it's just a bit frustrating right now.

"Perhaps I may have to have a word or two with some of the old boys and see what they have to offer to help me get back to where I want to be."

Bjarne, whose poor GP form continues to baffle Pirates fans who watch him win race after race against his World title rivals in Britain, was "bitterly disappointed" with his Copenhagen performance.

The Dane, third in the Danish GP in 2006, said: "Things just didn't go the way I had wanted which was a real shame as I had a good result here last year.

"I made a couple of changes as the meeting went on but I never really got into the groove as I had wanted and it gets a bit frustrating.

"I beat Andreas when we met (in heat seven) and he went on to win the meeting, so I know I can do it against this opposition.

"It's just a case of stringing the good rides together, but I've got a lot to do now to get back into contention."

Bjarne also confirmed he would line up in the qualifiers for the 2008 GP series that take place this year.

Three riders will book their places via that route and Poole's captain said: "It gives me two chances of sealing my own place."

Despite his personal disappointment, Crump rated this year's Parken circuit the best portable one he has raced on, both in Friday's practice and Saturday's main event.

Crump said: "I think (GP race director) Ole (Olsen) deserves heaps of credit for putting down such a good track.

"I can't praise it enough. It was just like riding a permanent track with plenty of options out there. I just wish I had been able to go better."

The next round is the British GP in the Millennium Stadium at Cardiff on June 30 when another temporary circuit will be laid.

  • Additional reporting by Steve Allen