Bartosz Zmarzlik aims to win back-to-back British Speedway Grand Prix meetings

British Speedway Grand Prix

Championship leader Bartosz Zmarzlik will aim to become the first rider in 10 years to record back-to-back Cardiff wins as he looks to inch ever closer to his first world title. 

The Pole would take a giant leap towards lifting the 2019 FIM Speedway Grand Prix crown if he replicates last year’s triumph at the Adrian Flux British SGP in Wales this weekend.

The 24-year-old is just nine points ahead of Emil Sayfutdinov and 11 in front of Leon Madsen. And with only two rounds of an enthralling series to go, there’s no room for slip ups ahead of the trip to the Principality Stadium. 

Jason Crump, in 2008 and 2009, was the last man to do the double winning the final of his three world championships following his second successive success in the Welsh capital.

Zmarkzlik, 2018 runner-up behind British hero Tai Woffinden, finished third in 2016 but is odds-on favourite with many bookmakers going into the penultimate round of the season.

He was level on points with Madsen before the most recent meeting in Denmark but opened up a healthy lead as the Dane’s injury struggles caught up with him.

“I had an injection to block the pain in my back,” said Madsen, who scored seven points in his home GP in Vojens thanks to a serious back and ankle problem.

“But I have started feeling it now and my ankle is as sore as hell too. These are not optimum conditions to race with, but it is what it is and I can’t fix it now. Every time I go on the bike, I irritate the injury in the ankle and it swells up after every race.

“But it is the World Championship and there are only two rounds left. I have to grit my teeth and try not to think about the injuries. After the next two rounds, I can have a long winter break. Then I can try to heal up and come back stronger next year.

“I haven’t been lucky this year. Considering all the back luck I have had with injuries, I think I can still be satisfied with my performance.”

British Speedway Grand Prix

Another rider who has been beset by fitness issues this season is Tai Woffinden. The three-time world champion will still carry the hopes of the home crowd who haven’t seen a British winner since Chris Harris’ sensational 2007 triumph.

Reigning champion Woffinden is 14th on 46 points – 19 points outside of a top-eight finish that would guarantee a 2020 place in the SGP – while fellow Brit Robert Lambert, another who has suffered injuries this year, will also take to the shale and is looking forward to trying to raise the roof. 

“I think it’s going to be something special. It’s always a great event,” said the King’s Lynn rider, also talking to SpeedwayGP.com

“It’s one of a kind, a bit like the Warsaw Grand Prix. I was lucky enough to be able to race in that event and also Cardiff last year. I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a great event, and riding in front of all my home fans is always an honour. On the Friday and Saturday the whole city is electric with fans going through it and making a lot of noise and you can hear that from wherever you are. It’s pretty special, you get goosebumps walking up onto the track and seeing the massive stadium around you so everything together makes it special and a one of a kind event for speedway.

“Last year (at Cardiff) wasn’t so good. We had a few problems, issues and I made a few mistakes as well so hopefully I can learn from that and take it as it is and you never know. Hopefully (I can get) a podium, but we’re looking for semi-final first and then we take it from there and start afresh again and work from that. All points go on the leaderboard and I’m fighting for higher positions.”

It’s the Grand Prix’s 19th visit to Cardiff and the fifth year in a row Adrian Flux has been the event’s title sponsor. The Norfolk-based insurance broker agreed a new three-year deal with rights holder BSI in 2018 to continue supporting speedway’s biggest event. 

Standings 

1 Bartosz Zmarzlik 103pts

2 Emil Sayfutdinov 94 

3 Leon Madsen 92 

4 Freddie Lindgren 87 

5 Martin Vaculik 79

6 Maciej Janowski 73

7 Patryk Dudek 72 

8 Matej Zagar 65

9 Artem Laguta 63

10 Niels-Kristian Iversen 61

11 Jason Doyle 60

12 Janusz Kolodziej 50

13 Antonio Lindback 47

14 Tai Woffinden 46

15 Max Fricke 36

16 Robert Lambert 31

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