By John Walsh

Last updated 10:07, Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Workington Comets' star rider Daniel Nermark has reached the semi-final stage of the Grand Prix qualifiers for 2009.

Daniel Nermark Wolves speedway 2004

The Swede finished with nine points in Czestochowa, Poland, on Sunday which was good enough to take him through.

Nermark had to miss Saturday night’s Premier League match at Derwent Park when James Wright deputised at number one as the Comets beat Birmingham 51-41.

In Poland, Nermark started badly, finishing last in the very first heat of the meeting won by Ales Dryml.

But he responded well, finishing second in his next two rides – behind Lee Richardson and Lukas Dryml who both went on to qualify as well.

The big breakthrough for Nermark came in his fourth ride which he won, beating former Grand Prix star Jaroslaw Hampel.

Finishing second behind Gregor Walasek in the penultimate race of the meeting was good enough to take Nermark through with nine points.

The seven qualifiers were: Walasek 14, L Dryml 13, Peter Karlsson 11, Richardson 10, A. Dryml 10, Sebastian Ulamek 10, Daniel Nermark 9.

His progress in the Grand Prix qualifiers, however, means that Nermark may have to miss another Workington match.

He is already missing on Tuesday because Swedish League meetings take preference when the Comets defend a 15-point lead on the Isle of Wight in the Premier League Knockout Cup.

Because of the rules Workington can only bring in a Conference League rider and have opted for Weymouth’s Lee Herne.