LINDGREN'S THIRST FOR CARDIFF CHAMPAGNE

Swedish star Fredrik Lindgren hopes to bring his red-hot form to Principality Stadium tonight as he bids to make a long-awaited return to the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain podium.

Fast Freddie made the ideal start to his Cardiff weekend when he topped the Qualifying Practice timing charts with a lap of 13.243 seconds, earning him the chance to select starting position No.13 – allocating him two starts from gate one.

Lindgren enjoyed a long career racing in the UK, competing for Wolverhampton from 2003 until 2017 – missing just the 2014 season.

The famous Monmore Green track, with its tight and tricky turns, would have been the ideal training ground for Speedway GP’s smallest circuit in Cardiff.

But it’s 10 years since Lindgren last reached an FIM British Speedway GP final, finishing fourth in 2013, and his last rostrum finish came in 2009, when he was second to Australia's seven-ride maximum man Jason Crump.

While Lindgren loves the buzz that comes with competing in Britain’s biggest indoor motorsport event, he hopes tonight is the night when he gets back on the box. He said: “I always love to come to Cardiff to race. I feel like I still have a lot of fans here after many years of racing for Wolverhampton in the UK. It is always a pleasure.

“I love to come here, but I haven’t performed my best here many times. I have been on the podium here before, but that’s history. That was 2009, so a long time ago. But I feel like I am in good form, I have nothing to lose, and I will go for a win.”

Lindgren heads into tonight’s Speedway GP happy with track conditions after impressing in Qualifying Practice. He said: “It was pretty sweet with no bumps so far, which a good thing. You could use a lot of the track – you could go outside and inside, and I think it helps that we’re not riding the same line all the time. This is what wears the track out and creates the holes. I hope it will be similar tonight.”

Lindgren is likely to be cheered on by plenty of Wolverhampton fans at Principality Stadium.

The Swede is saddened by news that the famous Black Country club will not race in the 2024 Sports Insure Premiership after landlord Entain plc, which promotes greyhound racing at the stadium and owns betting brands including Ladbrokes and Coral, informed Wolves owner Chris van Straaten that the club’s lease at the stadium would not be extended beyond this season.

He is hopeful a solution will be found that gets his long-time British team back on track as soon as possible. “It was very sad when I heard the news,” he said. “I spent 14 years racing at Monmore Green on a Monday night and it’s part of the history of speedway and the history of Wolverhampton. It’s part of my own history. It’s a big blow.

“I have heard they have got a plan and they want to come back in a different place. Let’s hope they get together and do it.”

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!