ZMARZLIK SEEKS ‘DREAM’ WARSAW WIN

12/05/2023

Triple world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik says racing in the Orlen FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw remains a dream come true as he chases the ultimate goal of a PGE Narodowy victory on Saturday evening.

Zmarzlik lines up in one of the world’s biggest speedway events, bidding to become Warsaw’s first-ever Polish winner alongside fellow Speedway GP regulars Maciej Janowski and Patryk Dudek.

They face some stiff competition from another triple world champion, Tai Woffinden, the only rider who has topped the podium in the Polish capital twice, winning in both 2016 and 2018. Former Warsaw winners Fredrik Lindgren, Leon Madsen and Max Fricke also go for glory at PGE Narodowy.

Zmarzlik gave his victory chances a sizeable boost when he took second place in this afternoon’s Qualifying Practice session behind Lindgren, with the Swede clocking a time of 13.099 seconds, while the Pole notched 13.175.

ZMARZLIK’S FINAL FLOURISH

The 19-time Speedway GP winner has reached five straight Warsaw semi-finals but is yet to convert one into a final. So the Speedway GP World Championship leader hopes his Qualifying Practice pace translates into speed on Saturday as he chases a victory he dreams of adding to his illustrious CV.

He said: “I have reached so many semi-finals during my career riding at PGE Narodowy, but I was not present in any of the finals. We are going to do the best we can. Tomorrow is a new day, with new hope and maybe a new dream will come true.

“It is like a dream come true to be part of such a big event with all the crowd and all the people supporting me. I can tell you it is slightly different to all the other speedway events.

“I only have good memories from here. The stadium, the atmosphere, the crowd and the racing are perfect. Hopefully we will have the cherry on the top and we will reach the main goal of the season.”

Zmarzlik admits the opportunity to take Speedway GP to some of the world’s most iconic venues like PGE Narodowy and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium brings something special to the sport for riders and fans alike.

He said: “It’s a magnificent thing for not only the GP series, but for speedway – riding in such big stadiums. It’s a very big privilege for me also to be part of this very big celebration. It’s a celebration day for all the speedway fans around the world and I am pretty happy to be a part of it.”

FASTEST FREDDIE

In contrast to Zmarzlik, world No.4 Lindgren has reached four straight Warsaw finals, topping the podium in 2017, before finishing second in 2019 and third in 2018 and 2022.

But Lindgren knows that form counts for little as he takes on the world’s top riders.

The Orebro-born racer, third at the season-opening Tehnix FIM Speedway GP of Croatia, said: “Those results won’t help me tomorrow. Those meetings are in the history books, but I always love these big stadiums. They have a great atmosphere. I really enjoy the show.

“It gives me a bit of extra energy. I try and suck it in. It’s not every day you are able to race in front of over 50,000 people in a full national stadium, so it’s pretty cool.

“It was a job well done in qualification. I have struggled in qualification in the past. This was my best effort so far and I am very happy with that.

“I wouldn’t say I am confident going into tomorrow, but I am pretty calm. I have a lot of faith in my abilities. I’m just going to go out there and give it everything I have. That’s all I can do. Hopefully it will be enough to get me a podium or maybe a win.”

Lindgren got people talking in the pits after using a brand-new drive belt, which replaced the primary chain on his bike.

“We have been testing this a lot,” he said. “We have been working very hard and we put it into competition recently in the leagues. It has been working well and I feel comfortable on it. This is its first time in the World Championship.”

Warsaw wild card Dominik Kubera was taken to hospital for checks on a suspected back injury after a fall during today’s Qualifying Practice. We wish the Lublin star a speedy recovery.

2023 ORLEN FIM SPEEDWAY GP OF POLAND - WARSAW 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), 105 Anders Thomsen (Denmark), 233 Kim Nilsson (Sweden), 16 Dominik Kubera (Poland – wild card), 17 Bartlomiej Kowalski (Poland – first track reserve), 18 Wiktor Przyjemski (Poland – second track reserve).

QUALIFYING PRACTICE TIMES: 1 Fredrik Lindgren 13.099 seconds, 2 Bartosz Zmarzlik 13.175, 3 Max Fricke 13.223, 4 Dan Bewley 13.235, 5 Robert Lambert 13.236, 6 Anders Thomsen 13.283, 7 Jack Holder 13.291, 8 Tai Woffinden 13.311, 9 Jason Doyle 13.337, 10 Mikkel Michelsen 13.378, 11 Patryk Dudek 13.385, 12 Leon Madsen 13.394, 13 Martin Vaculik 13.399, 14 Maciej Janowski 13.412, 15 Wiktor Przyjemski 13.415, 16 Kim Nilsson 13.497, 17 Bartlomiej Kowalski 13.608, 18 Dominik Kubera 13.807.

WARSAW FANZONE

Fans heading to PGE Narodowy can get their Orlen FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw day started early with a packed programme of entertainment in the fanzone.

Located opposite gate one, the fanzone will be open from 12:30 CET, when visitors can take a photo with the Speedway GP trophy and sit on a speedway bike. There will also be activities in the Monster Energy zone, a vintage bikes exhibition, attractions for kids and the SGP merchandise shop.

There will also be a Trial Show at 13:15 CET, 15:15 CET and 17:00 CET as we rev up for the evening’s Speedway GP action.

Six-time FIM Speedway world champion Tony Rickardsson will be in the fanzone at selected times throughout the afternoon, where the brand-new SGP4 bikes will be on display. Young riders and their families are very welcome to check out the bikes, which are now available to order online.

For the first time ever, the brand-new Speedway GP mascot Speedy makes an appearance in the fanzone. Fans can meet them and get a photo at 15:15 CET and 18:15 CET.

Fans have the chance to win exclusive Speedway GP prizes at both 15:30 CET and 17:45 CET with our interactive quiz sessions.

The Monster Energy team will be on hand to take photos with fans from 15:45 CET and they will be joined by Monster Energy athletes Fredrik Lindgren, Dan Bewley, Patryk Dudek, Tai Woffinden and Jack Holder for the Monster Energy Rig Riot, where fans can grab some freebies from 16:00 CET.

All of the Orlen FIM Warsaw Speedway GP stars will be signing autographs in the fanzone from 16:30 CET, before we crown the King and Queen of the Fanzone at 18:00 CET.

WHERE TO WATCH

Orlen FIM Speedway GP of Poland - Warsaw: 19:00 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 this year, 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 Orlen FIM Warsaw Speedway GP also available in selected countries – see below for more details of where to watch.

ACROSS EUROPE: Live on the Eurosport App

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

POLAND: Live on TTV and Eurosport Extra in Player

SWEDEN: Live on Kanal 9 and Discovery+

DENMARK: Live on 6’eren and discovery+

AUSTRALIA: Live on Fox Sports

NEW ZEALAND: Live on Recast

USA/CANADA: Live on Recast

GERMANY: Live on discovery+

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

CZECH REP: Live on the Eurosport App

SLOVAKIA: Live on RTVS and Eurosport App