Over 40,000 fans watched as Swede Toni Rickardsson claimed victory in the British Speedway Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

The three-times world champion, who rides for Poole Pirates in the Elite League, pipped Australian Jason Crump, Pole Tomasz Gollob and countryman Niklas Klingberg in the A final.

All six of the Britons competing - including reigning world champion Mark Loram - went out before the semi-final stage, with four failing to even make the last sixteen.

Despite his own lack of success, Loram hailed the event a major triumph.

"The fans have got to be happy with what they've seen - I'm just disappointed I didn't give them more to cheer about," he said.

"But venues and crowds like this have to be the way to go for the sport."