SWINDON Robins captain Hans Andersen suffered a difficult evening as he failed to make the semi finals of the European Grand Prix in Leszno.

The Dane finished on five points from his five rides in Poland, and got off to a bad start at the Alfred Smoczyk Stadium as he finished last in a competitive heat two behind Jarek Hampel, Nicki Pedersen and Tomasz Gollob.

It looked as though Andersen’s night was picking up as he beat Freddie Lindgren and Chris Harris to finish second in heat five behind Peter Ljung, but he was beaten by Kenneth Bjerre, world champion Greg Hancock and Bjarne Pedersen to run another last in heat 10.

Andersen finished third in heat 15, and picked up another two points in heat 20 behind eventual winner Chris Holder.

The Australian won a sensational final after Polish duo Hampel and Gollob fought for the lead for all four laps, but as the pair took each other wide Holder fired up the inside to win the meeting.

Holder dedicated his victory to his fellow countryman and former Robins number one Leigh Adams, who is a Unia Leszno legend and a consistent performer around the famous circuit.

Saturday was also the 41-year-old’s birthday, and Holder was pleased to win in honour of his friend who is still recovering from injuries he sustained while practicing for the Finke Desert Rally near Alice Springs last June.

“I pulled a Leigh Adams pass on them and I’m stoked. I’ve got to say happy birthday to Leigh. That one is for him,” Holder said.

“The final was mayhem. The four of us were just in and out of each other the whole time.

“It’s difficult when it’s like that. You’re trying to chase the guy in front, but you’ve got a guy beside you going everywhere as well. It’s hard to decide whether you keep charging or consolidate your position.

“I made an awesome corner on the second lap. I caught up to Jarek when Tomasz moved him really wide. That opened it up.

“When the pressure was on, I performed. I needed to make my two gate ones I had count and I did. I can’t ask for any more.

“My bike was so quick. Peter Johns has done an awesome job on that bike and the engine, so I’ve got to give him credit. We can all ride well – you need a good bike too.”

Andersen’s five points leaves him 12th in the GP standings, while Hampel leads the series from Hancock and Gollob.