NO WINTER BREAK FOR ZMARZLIK

Double world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik insists FIM Speedway Grand Prix riders can be busier in the winter months than they are during the racing season.

The Polish icon stormed to an astonishing five SGP wins in 2021 – a tally matched by Artem Laguta, who pipped him to the world title by three points. Zmarzlik is already working hard behind the scenes to ensure he’s firmly in contention to regain his crown in 2022.

Asked what he had been doing since an epic 2021 season ended, the Gorzow hero admitted things haven’t slowed down.

He said: “I have been doing a lot of work. I want to be well prepared for next season and I am always looking to the future – for me, this is so very important. I have had many meetings with my sponsors and partners. We are talking about what we can do next season and I am also preparing the bikes with the boys.”

Zmarzlik recently attended the FIM Awards in Monaco to pick up his 2020 FIM gold medal, so it hasn’t been all work and no play. But there’s no doubting the time of year Bartek relishes most.

He said: “Everyone says ‘you have the winter and it’s an easy life now.’ But really no – I think we do more work now than in the season.

“In the season, I only race the bike and this is fun for me. I love it. This is a better time for me than now.”

Zmarzlik may have come within touching distance of a third world title this year, but the new Lejonen signing is a man always seeking improvement. While he doesn’t plan on changing too much for next year, he admitted: “Everything is a bit of an evolution. I am one year older and I know what I want to do and need to do before next season. Not everything will be different, but with the bike, the body and the head, I am always working.”