Woffy Woffy Woffy!

Big congratulations to Tai Woffinden on becoming World Speedway Champion earlier this week at the last round in Torun, Poland. The Scunthorpe lad is the first Brit to pick up the title since Mark Loram in 2000. It's been a big season for the 23-year-old, who also collected the British Speedway title along the way, as well as two broken collar bones - the same one - the last time just two weeks ago.

This was only his second time on the World GP circuit, the first being an ill-advised and forgettable foray in 2010, only months after the death of his father, former speedway rider Rob. Thanks in no small part to the expert attention of Peter Adams at Tai's club, Wolves, he's really shone this year, showing classy verve and a full-on style that makes his races memorable. MP

Here he is in a great race in the European round of the World Championships at Bydgoszcz, Poland, in April this year: