Tai Woffinden to ride through pain barrier in bid to become champion

Tai Woffinden will ride through the pain barrier as he attempts to become the first Briton for 13 years to become world champion in Poland on Saturday.

The Wolverhampton star is still recovering from a fractured collarbone but needs just six points to be crowned champion and become the first British rider to win the title since Mark Loram in 2000.

To achieve it, he will up against his nearest rival, Polish superstar Jarek Hampel who will have the backing of a passionate sell-out home crowd in Torun.

Woffinden said: "I'm pretty relaxed about it all, I've been trying to keep a low profile over the last week.

"It's business as usual as far as I'm concerned. I will have the usual team around me in the pits and I'm going there focused to get the job done.

"I've always said my priority is to give my best in every race and we shall see if that's soon enough. I'm aiming for a podium finish on Saturday night, I want to finish the series strongly.

"I've been having treatment over the last week and the pain is under control, I'm feeling stronger every day and I'm on a good position to go for it in Torun on Saturday."

Woffinden is no stranger to the Torun track, which will host the FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland.

He said: "It's a great stadium and a super track, I love riding there and I think it suits my riding style without a doubt.

"I'm going to enjoy the occasion because the place will be packed and the atmosphere will be electric. It's a great venue to round off the Grand Prix series.

"I've not raced there this year, I missed my Polish League meeting there which I was gutted about but I'm so looking forward to Saturday."