ROBINS’ number one Peter Kildemand fell at the penultimate hurdle of the European Speedway Championships (SEC) latest round in Togliatti, Russia.

The Dane could only manage third in the race-off for the two final spots, despite having the first pick of the gates.

Kildemand was looking to make his second consecutive final in the SEC having caused a few surprises with his strong second place showing at the opening round in Güstrow, Germany.

The Robins’ rider looked serene in the heats, racking up the 13 points to narrowly miss out on automatic progress to the final.

However Kildemand’s inability to pass home favourite Emil Sayfutdinov in heat 20 told as it meant he had to go through the race-off. Albeit with the Dane having the gate selection advantage.

It proved a step too far for the 24-year-old as Patryk Dudek and previous round winner Nicki Pedersen seized the top two positions on the first lap and refused to relinquish them.

That Pedersen went on to win the final, from Dudek in second, shows perhaps Kildemand can reflect on a good night. The Swindon man continued his season’s good form and again found himself mixing it up at the top of the standings after 20 heats, an achievment not to be sniffed at.