JASON Crump is on the brink of his second world speedway title ahead of tonight's Czech Republic Grand Prix in Prague.Crump will clinch the title at the Marketa Stadium if he reaches the final - and with a 61-point lead over second-placed Greg Hancock, there are other permutations which could see him make certain of his place at the top of the sport.

By Elvin King

JASON Crump is on the brink of his second world speedway title ahead of tonight's Czech Republic Grand Prix in Prague.

Crump will clinch the title at the Marketa Stadium if he reaches the final - and with a 61-point lead over second-placed Greg Hancock, there are other permutations which could see him make certain of his place at the top of the sport.

The Australian will start favourite to add this GP to his list of honours, having won in Prague three years running from 2002 to 2004.

Hans Andersen is again likely to give Crump the most opposition, but the Dane was dropped from this year's series and has only come back in as a reserve following Tony Rickardsson's retirement.

Andersen has scored 63 points in three GP meetings to prove that he is likely to be a thorn in Crump's side next year.

Hancock's second position is not secure, with just 15 points separating four riders in the battle for silver and bronze medals. The American holds a ten-point lead over Nicki Pedersen, who in turn is just one ahead of Andreas Jonsson and five clear of Leigh Adams.

And any of the riders currently in the battle for top-eight places can elevate themselves into the medal fight by making a couple of finals between now and the end of the season.

The Marketa Stadium reaches its own milestone, as it is the first Grand Prix venue to hold ten events in the series.

Two more GP events follow to complete the season, with Scott Nicholls - who has withdrawn from tonight's action after breaking a collar bone - looking to end well and confirm his place for 2007.

Tonight's line-up: A Lindbäck, N Pedersen, L Adams, T Gollob, M Zagar, A Rymel, H Andersen, B Pedersen, P Protasiewicz, N-K Iversen, J Hampel, R Sullivan, A Jonsson, J Crump, L Richardson, G Hancock. Res: L Tomicek, Z Simota.

Current positions: Crump 156pts, Hancock 95, N Pedersen 85, Jonsson 84, Adams 80, Nicholls 67, B Pedersen 66, Gollob 66, J Hampel 63, Andersen 63, Zagar 58, Lindback 48, Rickardsson 41, Iversen 36, Richardson 34, Protasiewicz 18.