Barth fit to resume Longtrack defence.

World Speedway Long Track Champion, Germany's Robert Barth is champing at the bit to resume the defence of his crown, after the accident in which he broke bones in his left hand, forcing him to sit out the first two Grand Prix's of the 2004 Championship.

Barth has had numerous private practice sessions in the last three weeks and really wanted to ride for his German Elite League Club Landshut, near Munich.

However, although he has regained some strength in his hand after the breaks from doing gym training, Barth is finding the massive vibration that sets up on a long track bike half way along the straight, attacks the nerves in his left hand and causes the hand to open involuntarily.

"Landshut is a perfect speedway track and not as physical as some of the other Long Track circuits, so it offers the right environment to get back into the World Championship racing" said nine-times World Champion Ivan Mauger from his Queensland base at the weekend.

Mauger added he had spoken to Anton Mischler, Barth's engine tuner over the weekend and Robert is confident he will be fit to race at round three of the Championship, the German Prix at Pfarrkirchen on August 29.