Greg keen to be dealt a wild card

GREG HANCOCK is ready to go back on a vow never to accept a Grand Prix wild card.

The world champion, who is sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, will miss out on automatic qualification for next year’s title race.

The four-time world No.1 fell down the stairs at his Swedish home in July and had to pull out of the British GP.

He’s not raced since and goes under the knife for career-saving surgery next week.

Now the only way he can try to regain his crown is by taking one of the four wild card spots.

American Hancock, 47, said: “I have always felt if I didn’t qualify, I didn’t deserve to be there.

“I’m hard on myself and I don’t want to have to rely on a wild card but I’ll make an exception.

“It’s killing me but I have to do it. It feels really strange and I don’t like it. It’s not something I have ever wanted to do.

“It’s quite odd but I understand that it’s because of injury.”

Hancock’s decision also ends doubts about his future and confirms he is a long way from retirement.

Ruling body the FIM can now go ahead and ensure the Californian great will extend his unique record of having been in every GP series since it started in 1995. TAI WOFFINDEN, 27, has killed off fears his season is over.

The Great Britain star was in a horrific crash in Poland racing for Wroclaw on Sunday but escaped serious injury.

He said: “It could have been worse and I’ve got a few days to rest up.”