TEAM Great Britain boss Neil Middleditch was a proud man last night despite his team finishing fifth in the World Cup final.

Middlo saw his team fail to recover from a wretched start to the event in Vojens on a very difficult track.

Sweden - without world champ and Poole star Tony Rickardsson - were the shock winners as holders Australia snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with host nation Denmark third.

But Middleditch - who is also the Poole boss - refused to be despondent.

He exclusively told The Echo: "There's no reason for us to be down in the dumps. There are some long faces in the pits but we've given everything on the night.

"I couldn't have asked the boys for anything more. They all wanted to win so much but it just wasn't to be.

"I am so proud of each and every one of the team and mechanics. Everyone has played their part.

"You have to remember that we came out here with a depleted squad but we proved a lot of people wrong and we were in with a shout of a podium place right up until the last handful of races."

Team GB toiled badly getting out of the start on a track which really was a disgrace for such an important event.

Vojens is usually a very smooth circuit but deep ruts formed early in the meeting causing world class riders to lose control at every corner and made most races a lottery.

The Brits rarely looked comfortable but still stayed in contention for a medal until Poland and Denmark played their jokers in the final part of the event.

Middleditch added: "The track was disappointing. It is difficult enough as a rider when you have got five in a race but when you've got ruts throwing riders all over the place I became very concerned for safety.

"In the end I just told all the boys to find the best line that suited them and to make the best of it.

"Full credit to them as well. Even though we were struggling they kept plugging away in every single race."