BRITISH HERO BEWLEY SEEKS MORE CARDIFF MEMORIES ON SATURDAY

01/09/2023

BRITISH HERO BEWLEY SEEKS MORE CARDIFF MEMORIES ON SATURDAY

Great Britain racer Dan Bewley is determined to make more FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff memories as he bids to make it back-to-back wins in the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

The Cumbrian ace sent the fans wild at Britain’s biggest indoor motorsport event in 2022, when he made a lightning start to beat Bartosz Zmarzlik, Patryk Dudek and Leon Madsen and claim his first Speedway GP win on one of world sport’s most famous stages.

Bewley has built on that historic night to establish himself as one of the world’s top riders alongside fellow Brits and Speedway GP rivals, triple world champion Tai Woffinden and former European champion Robert Lambert.

They face off against the sport’s best riders at Principality Stadium, including Polish icon Zmarzlik, who won the 2018 Cardiff event and will hope for a repeat performance as he bids to extend his 22-point championship lead over nearest rival Fredrik Lindgren. The Swede topped the timing charts in Friday’s Qualifying Practice session with a 13.243-second lap, finishing ahead of Lambert, who clocked 13.339.

All of the Speedway GP riders will be appearing in an action-packed fanzone on Cardiff’s City Hall Lawn from 10am until 3pm on Saturday, which features an autograph session with all 18 FIM British Speedway GP stars at 2.15pm, a Monster Energy Rig Riot, Woffinden’s trademark Cardiff burnout, BMX Flatland action from Adam Kun, Battle Bikes and plenty of entertainment for the whole family.

There’s no doubt Bewley’s 2022 triumph and the celebrations that followed will live long in his memory, but just being part of the FIM British Speedway GP has always been special to the 24-year-old. He said: “I have a few memories that will stick with me from this place. One of them is actually when I first came here as a track reserve in 2018.

“I did a practice start and did a wheelie down the back straight, looked into the crowd and realised where I was. That was one of the coolest memories I have had here, and then of course winning. There was the noise of the crowd and all the burnouts I did; it was everything last year. It was just pretty cool. I have had some great memories here.

“In a stadium like that, you can hear everything. I feel like you can feel and hear the atmosphere more. It’s pretty cool and it’s as big as speedway gets. I am just looking forward to it.

“It’s cool to go back; it’s a cool stadium and a cool event. The track wasn’t ideal last year, but the track in Warsaw is pretty much the same size and I think they nailed that this time around. There was some awesome racing. I think the racing here should be good too.

“When it comes to the racing, I don’t really think about it as being any different to any other meeting. I will just go there and enjoy the ride really and see where I am at the end of the night.”

Top of the Cardiff 2022 podium, Dan Bewley. PHOTO: Jarek Pabijan

Bewley built his reputation for high-flying passes around some of Europe’s biggest and widest tracks in Manchester and Wroclaw. But his FIM British Speedway GP win underlined his class on small and more technical tracks too as he negotiated the circa 272-metre circuit in style.

He said: “I think I am a lot better on small tracks than people think. I actually quite like any track. Cardiff is small, but it rides big. At the same time, you have to turn the bike pretty hard. All the indoor tracks are a little bit special. They are a different beast, and I am looking forward to it.

“I am looking forward to going back to Cardiff the second time around. I’ll have a bit of an idea of what to do this time around.”

Bewley has an incredible 100 percent record in Speedway GP finals, having won all three he has contested in Cardiff and the FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Wroclaw last year, plus the Holmgrens Bil FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla this season.

The Belle Vue star has reached six Speedway GP semi-finals from seven rounds this year, but his Malilla win remains his sole final appearance so far.

As much as Bewley is rightly proud of his record in Speedway GP finals, he admits he wants to reach more of them – even if he doesn’t win them all. He said: “I have won three out of three and that’s pretty good. But at the same time, I would have rather made more finals than not.

“There are a few finals I wish I had been in. I will keep plugging away and try and get into the semis here in Cardiff first of all, and then on to the final after that if I can.”

Bewley looking back on an iconic Cardiff win in 2022. PHOTO: Jarek Pabijan

British icon Woffinden makes his 11th Cardiff appearance, bidding to add a famous Principality Stadium win to one of the sport’s most storied CVs after finishing second in 2014, 2016 and 2018.

“It would be special,” he said. “I will go out there and treat it as any other Speedway GP. It’s no different – I try and win them all. Some days it happens; some days it doesn’t.

“But I always enjoy coming here. It’s the British Grand Prix and for me, it is the biggest one on the calendar. There is always something special about being here with the atmosphere. I just like the whole build-up to the event. I am looking forward to getting out there and having fun.”

Woffy set for Cardiff Speedway GP No.11. PHOTO: Taylor Lanning

Lambert heads to Cardiff chasing his first semi-final and final appearance in the FIM British Speedway GP.

He admits the occasion may have affected him in his earliest visits. But having established himself as one of the sport’s most consistent performers, the world No.5 is determined to thrive in Cardiff’s cauldron of noise.

He said: “It’s more familiar now, this stadium. The buzz always hits you. It’s a special place to come and race. But I know my way around here. Hopefully I can go out, do some good and enjoy the racing.

“The first couple of times racing here, it overwhelmed me a little bit. But you learn to absorb it, take it in as energy, soak up the atmosphere and just enjoy it. It’s a bonus to be able to come into such a stadium and perform in front of so many fans.

“The goal is to get into the semis and final at every Grand Prix. We will ride the bike, enjoy it and see what comes.”

2023 FIM SPEEDWAY GP OF GREAT BRITAIN - CARDIFF LINE-UP (in FIM ranking order with rider numbers): 95 Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland), 30 Leon Madsen (Denmark), 71 Maciej Janowski (Poland), 66 Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden), 505 Robert Lambert (Great Britain), 99 Dan Bewley (Great Britain), 692 Patryk Dudek (Poland), 108 Tai Woffinden (Great Britain), 54 Martin Vaculik (Slovakia), 69 Jason Doyle (Australia), 155 Mikkel Michelsen (Denmark), 25 Jack Holder (Australia), 46 Max Fricke (Australia), 29 Andzejs Lebedevs (Latvia – substitute for 105 Anders Thomsen), 233 Kim Nilsson (Sweden), 16 Steve Worrall (Great Britain – wild card), 17 Anders Rowe (Great Britain – first track reserve), 18 Jason Edwards (Great Britain – second track reserve).

Lambert seeks his first Speedway GP win in Cardiff. PHOTO: Taylor Lanning

CARDIFF: A SPEEDWAY GP ICON

For the 21st time since the FIM British Speedway GP first visited in 2001, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium has been transformed from the home of Welsh rugby into a Speedway GP racetrack – check out our timelapse below.

Once again, the project has been led by three-time FIM Speedway world champion Ole Olsen and his Speed Sport team.

A technical and logistical challenge, constructing the 272-metre track inside the city-centre venue sees 180 lorry loads of material delivered and installed across three intense days of activity, with all of those deliveries being made through the famous Dragon’s Mouth tunnel.

A track test on Wednesday and Friday’s Qualifying Practice were both completed in smooth conditions, and Olsen’s team continues to maintain the circuit and control moisture levels to ensure the best possible racing surface for Saturday night.

With the iconic Principality Stadium roof closed to guard against the elements, fans can make the trip to Cardiff safe in the knowledge that action is guaranteed – come rain or shine.

It's not too late to secure your spot at Saturday's event! Tickets for the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain - Cardiff are still available from the WRU Ticket Office between gates three and four at Principality Stadium. Be part of an unforgettable night of racing and buy direct from the venue!

CARDIFF FANZONE

Fans can enjoy a packed programme of entertainment ahead of the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff.

Make a day of it in the heart of the Welsh capital as the fanzone gets underway at 10am UK time – around a 15-minute walk from Principality Stadium in front of Cardiff’s stunning City Hall.

Britain’s triple world champion Tai Woffinden cranks up the volume at 1.30pm with his famous Cardiff burnout.

He then joins his fellow Monster Energy Speedway GP athletes Fredrik Lindgren, Dan Bewley, Patryk Dudek and Jack Holder for the always-popular Monster Energy Rig Riot at 1.45pm – the perfect opportunity for fans to some grab Monster Energy Speedway GP goodies.

All 18 riders competing in the FIM British Speedway GP will be taking part in the Cardiff signing session from 2.15pm. With large crowds expected, get there early to avoid disappointment, and don’t miss your chance to meet your Speedway GP favourites and grab an autograph or selfie.

We will have a special Q&A with VIP guests, former speedway icons and the ATPI FIM Women’s Speedway Academy stars on the main stage at 12.15pm.

BMX flatland star Adam Kun will be performing live in the Monster Energy Zone at 10.30am, 11.30am and 2.45pm, with the Battle Bikes stunt show also wowing fans at 11am, 12pm and 1pm.

Speedway GP’s resident DJ Karl West will be performing from 2.15pm to get fans pumped up for a huge night of World Championship action.

Join us at the big screen for your chance to win exclusive Speedway GP prizes and experiences in our Cardiff quizzes at 11.45am and 1.15pm. And keep an eye on the big screen for a special display marking 100 years of the sport.

Throughout the day, there will be plenty of photo opportunities. Don’t miss your chance to meet the brand-new Speedway GP mascot Speedy, who will be posing for photos with fans at 11.30am, 1.15pm and 2.15pm. Fans can also grab a picture with the Speedway GP World Championship trophy or the We Love Speedway sign.

There will be face painting for kids – and big kids – who want to show their national colours, as well as a vintage bikes exhibition.

FIM British Speedway GP nominated charity Blood Bikes Wales join us in the fanzone as they raise cash to support their vital work for the NHS, making crucial deliveries, including vital blood supplies and samples, plasma, donor milk for specialist baby units and essential medication.

Fans can pick up a Cardiff memento in the Speedway GP merchandise shop and food, drink and programmes will be available for purchase.

The Cardiff fanzone closes at 3pm as the action switches to the iconic Principality Stadium.

Home of the FIM British Speedway GP. PHOTO: Taylor Lanning

WHERE TO WATCH

FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain - Cardiff – Saturday, September 2 at 17:00 UK time / 18:00 CET

Fans with access to discovery+ or the Eurosport App, available in selected countries, can enjoy full live coverage of all the FIM Speedway action, featuring Qualifying Practice, plus all the build-up from the pits and reaction after the chequered flag falls, as well as the very best coverage of the racing including pit and on-board cameras, rider reaction times and, coming soon, live speed data.

Coverage of Speedway GP is available worldwide with linear coverage of the racing also available in selected countries – see below for more details of where to watch.

Fans can also get live results throughout the Speedway GP via the official FIM Speedway app. Download it now on the App Store or Google Play.

ACROSS EUROPE: Live on the Eurosport App

BRITAIN: Live on discovery+, Eurosport 2 and the Eurosport App

WALES (Welsh Language): Live coverage on S4C

POLAND: Live Eurosport Extra in Player

SWEDEN: Live on discovery+ and the Eurosport App

DENMARK: Live on 6’eren, discovery+ and the Eurosport App

AUSTRALIA: Live on Fox Sports (Kayo)

NEW ZEALAND: Live on Recast via www.recast.tv/fimspeedway

USA/CANADA: Live on Recast via www.recast.tv/fimspeedway

GERMANY: Live on discovery+ and the Eurosport App

ACROSS THE BALTICS: Live on discovery+, Eurosport App, Go3 and TV3 Sport channels