LEBEDEVS REPLACES NILSSON IN MALILLA

FIM GP Challenge winner Kim Nilsson has withdrawn from the 2023 Holmgrens Bil FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla due to injury.

Nilsson has been forced out of his home event as he recovers from a heavy crash suffered in a Swedish Allsvenskan League match for Griparna in Mariestad on June 29.

His absence hands a call-up to Latvian ace Andzejs Lebedevs, who races on his Bauhaus Elitserien home track, where he competes for Malilla club Dackarna. He was named as first reserve for the 2023 Speedway GP series and gets his first chance of 2023 to race on the sport’s biggest stage.

According to his official website, Nilsson crashed in his final race in Mariestad two weeks ago after picking up drive while leading, landing so hard on his front wheel that it buckled.

Despite being taken to hospital for checks, Nilsson did not require surgery and was discharged wearing a neck brace. He confirmed he is still suffering pain in his ribs, back, chest and shoulder.

While he has undergone laser treatment and physiotherapy, the Holmgrens Bil FIM Swedish Speedway GP comes too soon for Nilsson, who admits he may need six to eight weeks to recover fully, although he admits he can choose when he feels ready to return to the track.

Former Speedway European Championship winner Lebedevs steps up after impressing in the final round of the 2022 Speedway GP series in Torun, reaching the semi-finals and scoring 10 championship points, winning two heats along the way.

He will hope to capitalise on his home-track experience in Malilla and build on a good start to the PGE Ekstraliga season with Krosno, where he is averaging 1.662 points per race.