ZMARZLIK DISQUALIFIED – MADSEN WINS!

Danish racer Leon Madsen secured a victory at the FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens on Saturday, September 16, in front of his home crowd.

Polish rider Bartosz Zmarzlik had been poised to win his fourth world championship in five seasons, but there was controversy before the action got underway.

The 2022 champion was disqualified from the race for wearing incorrect attire, with the governing body issuing a statement saying: “Bartosz Zmarzlik was found to be wearing a race suit which did not conform to the FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship Regulations 2023 during the Qualifying Practice and the starting number selection for the meeting.

“The decision of the FIM Jury was confirmed with a hearing and, according to Art. 5.8 and 12.3 of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship Regulations 2023, Bartosz Zmarzlik was fined €600 and disqualified from the 2023 DeluxeHomeart FIM Danish Speedway GP.”

While the Zmarzlik controversy commanded plenty of attention, the Danish fans were treated to a home win as Madsen prevailed in style.

He had to wait for his moment to take the win as Fredrik Lindgren took the early lead from Gate 1 after Madsen struggled for grip from Gate 3.

Madsen pushed into second place and then on lap two he made his first attempt, almost taking the lead on the inside before the door was shut by the Swede.

He continued to push and instead of attempting an overtake down the inside once more, he swept around the outside of Lindgren going into the final lap, to cross the line in first.

After his win, Madsen spoke to the crowd and said: “What a great reception you guys gave me today. You gave me that extra last power in the final heat. I’m just very happy to be back on the podium and on the top one.

“To be honest I don’t remember the heat very well. It went so fast, it was very hectic, shifting position all the time.”

Discussing the outstanding late move to clinch the win with an overtake, Madsen admitted to nerves at that moment, saying: “I think I made a good move and just on the last corner I was freaking out, I was so happy to be back winning a GP.”

The final round takes place on September 30 in Torun, Poland.

As a result of Zmarzlik’s absence, Lindgren’s 18-point haul for finishing second saw the Swede reduce his Lublin’s teammate’s championship lead from 24 to six ahead of the title decider in Torun.

While Lindgren took no pleasure in seeing his rival ruled out, he was determined to focus on the task in hand as he bids to become Sweden’s first world champion since Tony Rickardsson clinched his sixth and final Speedway GP World Championship in 2005 – 18 years ago.

Lindgren said: “When I came back from the autograph sessions, I got the news that Bartosz was not going to ride. I really feel for him. 

“I had to try and re-group and focus on tonight and what I had to do on the track. I managed to have a fairly strong GP.

“The lines were changing all the time. Bike setup was crucial. It was a tricky evening in many ways, but I managed to get to the semi and the final. I was leading and I thought I could clinch it, but Leon was too fast in that final. Fair play to him and congratulations.

“I am just going to go to Torun and do the best I can. I am six points down and it’s not that easy to get that back. I can only do the best I can, and we will see where we end up.” 

Third-placed Holder was elated with his second straight Speedway GP podium. Having missed round seven in Riga with a broken wrist and bounced back with a second place in Cardiff on September 2, the Appin-born (Sydney) racer was pleased to pull level on 113 points with third-placed Martin Vaculik in the battle for bronze.

While the Slovak star is placed higher by virtue of his two Speedway GP wins in Prague and Cardiff, Holder is determined to overhaul his rival on long-time former Polish home track Torun.

Reflecting on a fine night in Vojens, he said: “I am super stoked to be on the podium again. I missed a round because of injury, so I had to claw some points back. The last couple of GPs have been good, so it all comes down to Torun.”