Nicholls has been Ipswich's strongest performer this season

Ipswich star rider Scott Nicholls has admitted Great Britain's World Cup form has helped him get over last season's poor showing.

The 32-year-old was part of the GB team that fell at the first hurdle of the competition 12 months ago.

"It's what makes the world go round I suppose," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"You have your ups and downs and last year was not a good season for me, but this season I'm enjoying my racing and that makes a difference on the bike."

Great Britain overcame Australia, Sweden and Finland on Monday night to book a place in Saturday's final, with Nicholls top scoring for the home team with a 14-point haul.

He sealed the victory for his country by winning the last heat after the equally impressive Chris Harris had finished first in the penultimate race.

He added: "I could have suffered a mechanical problem or suffered a third or a last but my sole intention was to go out and win the last race whatever happened."

Rob Lyon's side can put their feet up now while Australia, Sweden, Denmark and Russia battle it out in a play-off to join them and Poland in the final.

Although Nicholls is not expecting a quiet build up to Saturday's showdown.

"There's four days between now and Saturday but it's not four days of total rest," he said.

"We want to win but if we're realistic the aim is to get on the rostrum, if we do that we can be very proud."

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