FIM SPEEDWAY TOP 5 MOMENTS | PRAGUE

As speedway celebrates its 100th anniversary season, FIMSpeedway.com looks back at the top five moments celebrated at each of our 2023 FIM Speedway venues. Today, we feature the legendary Marketa Stadium, the longest-serving FIM Speedway Grand Prix venue, which stages the 2023 FIM Speedway GP of Czech Republic – Prague on June 3.   HANCOCK’S ROUTE TO GOLD Speedway GP first took place in Prague on May 17, 1997, and the Czech capital venue has staged at least one round every season since – defying even the Covid-19 pandemic. Out of the 29 rounds which have been raced here, 22 of them have featured American great Greg Hancock – and victories here have always brought the Californian good luck. He stormed to top spot in that first FIM Czech Speedway GP, seeing off then world champion Billy Hamill, who was second, with Polish icon Tomasz Gollob third in the final. That podium was to prove a preview of things to come as the trio occupied the same three steps on the final 1997 Speedway GP rostrum, with Hancock lifting his first of four world titles. Incredibly, it took him another 14 years to win No.2 in 2011, and he picked up another Prague victory along the way that year.   CRUMP’S TRIPLE CROWN In Prague’s early Speedway GP years, Aussie ace Jason Crump proved one of the men to beat. He reeled off three straight wins at Marketa Stadium in 2002, 2003 and 2004 as he stepped up his fight to lift the sport’s biggest prize. First, he beat Hancock and Aussie star Ryan Sullivan in the 2002 final, before seeing off Swedish legend Tony Rickardsson and eventual world champion Nicki Pedersen in 2003. That was the third year in a row Crump had been left with Speedway GP World Championship silver, but his wait for world-title gold ended in 2004, and he collected a Prague victory on the road to glory. He beat Poland’s Jaroslaw Hampel and Rickardsson to top spot for a result that brought him ever closer to the prize he craved most. While Crump didn’t win in Prague again, two more world titles in 2006 and 2009 secured his spot among the all-time greats.   WOFFY’S FIRST WIN The British national anthem had not been heard during a Speedway GP podium ceremony since Chris Harris’ epic last-to-first dash to win the 2007 FIM British Speedway GP in Cardiff. When Woffinden was granted a permanent wild card for the 2013 season, he entered the series at odds of 500/1 with the bookmakers to be crowned champion. It’s fair to say the price was slashed when he powered to his first Speedway GP win on May 18, 2013, beating Poland’s Krzysztof Kasprzak and Pedersen. It wasn’t the last time God Save The Queen was heard that season. Woffinden went on to lift the Speedway GP trophy at the final round in Torun – his first of three world titles so far. He has an equal number of FIM Czech Speedway GP victories to his name. Like Crump, he went on to top the Prague podium again in 2014 and 2015.   DOYLE’S DOUBLE When Aussie racer Jason Doyle debuted in Speedway GP in 2015, he arrived on the sport’s biggest stage without any World Championship experience – not even as a wild card or track reserve. But he very quickly proved he meant business by finishing fifth in the world that year. Doyle then took things up a notch in 2016, and his first-ever Speedway GP win came when he pipped Hancock and Harris to first place. The Newcastle-born racer went on to win three more rounds that year and was only denied his first world title by a heavy crash at the penultimate round in Torun, which ended his season. Doyle put things right in 2017, though, taking another Prague success on his way to Speedway GP World Championship gold – even a broken foot couldn’t stop him that year. The 2017 round is also memorable as the season when a Czech rider finally reached the rostrum. Vaclav Milik took third place behind Doyle and Hancock.   VACULIK’S ‘HOME’ WIN No Czech rider has ever topped the Prague rostrum, but Slovak star Martin Vaculik crossed the border to deliver a win that sent the Marketa Stadium crowd wild in 2022. Vaculik was just two years old when Czechoslovakia peacefully parted in 1992 to become two nations – the Czech Republic and Slovakia. But he made regular trips to Prague as a child to watch his Speedway GP heroes up close. The Gorzow star finally got his chance to race in an FIM Czech Speedway GP in 2013. While he reached one final in his first seven Prague appearances, finishing third at round five in 2020, Vaculik sent the Marketa Stadium wild with an unforgettable win there last May, beating Woffinden and Doyle. It was an emotional moment for a rider who may have ended up living in a foreign land, but he is always treated as a home hero in Prague.

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SAYFUTDINOV EYES PREMIERSHIP CROWN AS HE MAKES UK RETURN WITH IPSWICH

Former world No.3 Emil Sayfutdinov set his sights a first SGB Premiership title as he makes a British racing comeback with Ipswich. The three-time FIM Speedway of Nations world champion missed the entire 2022 season after his Russian licence was suspended by the FIM due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. But Polish citizen Sayfutdinov, who lives in Bydgoszcz, has now switched to a Polish licence and has been given the green light to race in the PGE Ekstraliga for Torun too. He hasn’t raced in the UK since spending a brief spell with Coventry in 2011. But after a long stint out of the saddle, a busy British schedule could play a key role in getting him back up to speed. However, Sayfutdinov isn’t coming to the UK simply for some extra track time. He said: “I have won team championships in most of the leagues, in Poland, Sweden and other countries a few times but never one in England. Maybe this will be the season I have a chance to win a championship in England.” The deal remains subject to confirmation from British Speedway Promoters Ltd, and he will need a UK visa. But Sayfutdinov is hopeful these obstacles will be overcome as Witches boss Chris Louis works hard to conclude a deal that has been months in the making. Sayfutdinov said: “I think there is a long process to go. I remember Chris calling in November asking about the possibility. We didn’t answer straight away and thought about it for a few days, but then we called Chris to ask how the situation looked and all the problems he could face. “He said he thought he could fix that and then the door was open to be back in England. Chris has been working very hard to get everything done with the BSPL and the ACU, so it looks like everything is coming together and that I will come to Ipswich for press and practice.” Sayfutdinov admits the UK meetings fit nicely into his schedule alongside his Polish commitments. He said: “The schedule looks organised with Mondays and Thursdays, which suits me really well. I will only race in Poland, so that will only be Fridays and Sundays. It doesn’t look like I will compete in any other meetings in Poland, so if I have the chance to be on the bike more often, I will do it. “After one year without racing, I want to be back more often on the bike and more meetings will make me sharper for Poland and England.”

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ANDERSEN EXTENDS PANTHERS STAY

Peterborough boss Carl Johnson is backing Danish veteran Hans Andersen to prove a trump card as he returns to the East of England Showground for 2023. Andersen is a two-time league title winner with the Panthers, leading them to their unforgettable Elite League Grand Final win at home to Reading in 2006 and then playing his part in the famous Dad’s Army side of 2021. The former Speedway GP winner comes into the side on what appears to be a bargain 4.93 average, and teams up with seven-time Danish champion Niels-Kristian Iversen, Benjamin Basso, Richie Worrall, Ben Cook and Rising Star reserve Jordan Jenkins, with one final name to be revealed. Johnson believes the former world No.5 could play a key role for Peterborough. He said: “We believe in what Hans can do, we believe in his ability, and we’ve got faith in him. “If we didn’t have that faith then he wouldn’t be in the team, it’s as simple as that. We wouldn’t bring someone in who we didn’t think was going to be able to do a job for us. “Hans struggled last season with different things, but towards the end of the season he put in some good scores, and I’m confident he can put at least a point on his average from last year. “I think we have a strong middle order with him and Richie (Worrall) there, and it’s one that’s capable of scoring points on a lot of tracks. “We also have a rider in Ben Cook who has the potential to move into the main body of the team, although ideally in his first season we’d like to keep him at reserve where he can learn. “But if it does happen that he moves up, then we should be strong at reserve whoever drops down, and certainly with riders capable of winning heat two on any track. “It’s a fresh start for Hans with a different team around him, something different to get his teeth into, and it should work out for him – it’s good to have him back.” Photo: Taylor Lanning

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JANOWSKI READY FOR WARSAW ROAR

Poland’s world No.3 Maciej Janowski is determined to keep his cool in the red-hot atmosphere of the PZM FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw at PGE Narodowy on May 13. Magic has come close to winning twice in Poland’s capital city, finishing second in both 2017 and 2018. The Polish fans are yet to celebrate a home Warsaw winner, and Janowski certainly isn’t short of motivation to deliver that elusive victory. But he’s also determined to hold his nerve in his quest to top the podium in front of over 50,000 fans. He said: “The SGP series is very demanding. I think Warsaw is the biggest speedway event in the calendar; everyone is 150 percent motivated to win in Warsaw. “We Poles ride ‘at home’, but everyone can win because it is a temporary track. The key to success is how you feel on race day and the most important thing is to keep calm – to focus. It`s hard to do if you see 50,000 fans inside the stadium. But it motivates you too.” Janowski ended his wait for a Speedway GP World Championship medal in Torun last October, snatching third place in the final 2022 standings – his best-ever finish in the series. But bagging bronze isn’t enough to satisfy the Wroclaw-born racer, who only has gold in his sights. He said: “For the last five to six years, I was focused on winning as much as I could in Speedway GP, and the title of world champion was always my goal. I begin every season with this goal. “It doesn`t matter that I`m a bronze medallist now. I’m just a more experienced rider than last year. I`m fully focused on fighting for gold.” Janowski could get two chances to go for World Championship gold this year, as he is expected to feature in Poland’s team for the FIM Speedway World Cup Final at Wroclaw’s Olympic Stadium on July 29. The Poles are seeded straight through to the Final as host nation and will face off with the winners of Semi-Finals 1 and 2 and the Race Off, which also take place in Wroclaw that week. Having spent almost his entire career racing at the Olympic Stadium, hometown hero Janowski can’t wait to fly the Polish flag in front of his local crowd. He said: “The World Cup has always been a unique event, and when I had the opportunity to race in the SWC, I was proud. “Me and my teammates have the same goal. It’s very cool to ride for Poland. For one week we can forget about our club matches and it’s special for me to be a part of the national team Poland. “The final will be on my home track in Wroclaw, where I grew up, so I am very happy. I`m fully motivated to achieve the best result with Team Poland.” Tickets are still available for the FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw. Join the likes of Janowski, triple world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik and former world No.2 Patryk Dudek for an unforgettable night of racing. Secure your seats now via www.KupBilet.pl as well as  https://www.ebilet.pl/sport/sporty-motorowe/speedway-grand-prix. Admission is free for children under six years old with an adult guardian – the child sits on their guardian’s lap. Programmes will be available for purchase via https://www.kupbilet.pl/, priced at 30 PLN. Fans will receive a voucher, which can be exchanged for a programme on race day at PGE Narodowy. Any questions regarding tickets can be directed to the hotline: +48 695 378 585, open from Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 16:00, or use the 24/7 electronic consultant on https://www.kupbilet.pl/.

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PEDERSEN: LOVE OF RACING KEEPS ME IN THE SADDLE

Triple world champion Nicki Pedersen insists his 2022 injury setback was never going to force him out of the saddle. The Speedway GP legend suffered a badly broken hip and pelvis in a PGE Ekstraliga crash in Grudziadz last June. His injuries could have ended the 45-year-old’s career, but incredibly, Pedersen’s training for 2023 continues apace. The former Eastbourne star is preparing for a remarkably busy season after taking over from Hans Nielsen as Danish team manager ahead of July’s FIM Speedway World Cup in Wroclaw. He’s also set to race for Holsted in his homeland and PGE Ekstraliga side Grudziadz in Poland. On top of that, the Odense-born ace is starring with his family in new Kanal 5 and Discovery+ reality show Team Pedersen, taking viewers behind the scenes of both his racing and life away from the sport. While being Danish boss and a TV star would have been enough for some, Pedersen admits he still loves life on the track and refuses to let injuries call time on his career. He said: “Before when I have broken my neck two times, everybody was thinking ‘okay, he’ll retire now. He has done his bit.’ It would have been a fair way to stop, but I don’t want to. “I still love this sport and it’s my income. It’s part of me. I still feel I put a lot into the sport. I don’t do it because of other people. I do it for myself because I can, because I enjoy it and because I love it. I still feel I have things to put into the sport. “I know the head is alright, as it always has been. I am pretty strong in my head. I haven’t had any doubts as to whether I can race the bike again or not. I haven’t thought about whether it’s going to be painful or not. I am not in any pain, so why should the pain come when I start racing? “Everything is healed up properly, which is good. I don’t have any pain at the moment at all when I am training. I just need to get fit again, get back on the bike and focus on the racing.” Pedersen admits he has had to train smart since breaking his hip. He said: “I usually run a lot. I like running. But at the moment, I am cycling instead. It’s not that I have any pain, but in the long term, it’s about not doing damage and not letting the pain return to the pelvis. “I broke the pelvis, and the left leg went through it. It’s in the right place, but instead of pushing it when you are running, it’s better to put less pressure on the pelvis by cycling.”

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