Lee Richardson is closing in on a return to the Grand Prix series after snatching a dramatic success in Italy.
The Eastbourne captain finished top of the podium in the GP qualifying semi-final at Terenzano, scoring 12 points from five rides and then winning a race-off.
Richardson, who has been off the SGP circuit for the last two seasons, had clinched his place in the qualifying final by his fourth ride.
He went on to win the meeting in a two-man decider against Jesper B Monberg and now heads to the final in Poland, from which the top three will clinch places in next year's series.
There was disappointment for Eagles youngster Edward Kennett in the other semi. After starting with a last place, Kennett tallied eight points from his last four rides to miss qualification by a point. He then finished second to Mads Korneliusson in a race-off to decide who went to the final, in September, as reserve.
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