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MADSEN: FOCUS NOW ON 2023
30/08/2022
Danish racer Leon Madsen insists his focus is on winning Speedway GP gold in 2023, despite surging within 16 points of leader Bartosz Zmarzlik last Saturday.
Madsen finished second to back-to-back SGP winner Dan Bewley at the Betard FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Wroclaw, taking 18 championship points in the process.
This saw him slash Polish star Zmarzlik’s pre-meeting advantage from 22 points to 16 with three rounds to race, starting with his home event – the FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens, sponsored by ECCO on September 10.
With a possible 60 points up for grabs between now and the end of the season, Madsen is still very much in the title hunt mathematically. But while he hasn’t given up on chasing success in 2022, Madsen admits his attention has switched to ensuring he can mount a title bid in 2023.
He said: “Theoretically it is still possible I could win, but there are a lot of points I have to pull back and our focus has switched to next season.
“We tested some new equipment in Wroclaw and we are definitely going in the right direction. I’m sure when we start up next season, we will have some more tools in the toolbox.
“Hopefully you will see me start the season stronger than I did this year. Then I will be more able to fight for the gold medal.
“In the team we were talking about things before Cardiff and we made the decision that if we lost to Bartek there, it’s game over and the gap is too big. Theoretically, it is still possible.
“It is definitely tough, but I am very positive after Saturday. There are some more tools coming out of the toolbox in the next couple of rounds and I am sure you are going to see me be much stronger, so anything can happen. I am still giving it my all and doing my best to catch Bartosz. If I have three more meetings like this, then we are going to catch him.”
Madsen is also well aware that while he hunts down Zmarzlik, he also faces a challenge for second spot from Bewley.
The Cumbrian’s 40-point haul over the past two rounds in Cardiff and Wroclaw have seen him surge from 11th to third place on 84 points – eight short of Madsen who has 92.
“Dan gained points on me in Wroclaw,” Madsen said. “I have to watch out for second place now. I know it will be hard to catch Bartek, but I would at least like to finish the season with the silver medal. That would still be very nice.”
