FIM SPEEDWAY GP: ZAGAR IS CROATIAN GP WILD CARD

Slovenian former world number five Matej Zagar returns to the FIM Speedway Grand Prix stage as the 2024 season launches with the Boll FIM Speedway GP of Croatia on April 27.

Zagar has been named as wild card for round one of the Speedway GP World Championship series, donning the famous number16 race jacket, as he takes on the sport’s biggest stars once again at Speedway Stadion Milenium.

The Ljubljana-born ace is a popular visitor to the Donji Kraljevec venue, where he topped the podium in both the 2019 and 2020 FIM SGP Challenges staged there to earn his place in the Speedway GP series. While Zagar was eliminated from the Speedway GP World Championship at the end of the 2021 season, he has since appeared in two FIM Croatian Speedway GPs, reaching the semi-finals in 2022.

With 128 Speedway GP outings, 1,003 championship points and 23 final appearances to his name, Zagar has built an army of Slovenian fans and regularly brings them across the border to Donji Kraljevec’s biggest events. The five-time Speedway GP winner will be determined to give them a night to remember.

Zagar is joined in Croatia by track reserves Matic Ivacic and Marius Hillebrand. Slovenian international Ivacic lines up in the number 17 race jacket, with German youngster Hillebrand at number 18.

Boll FIM Croatian Speedway GP local organiser Darija Pavlic looks forward to welcoming the world’s top riders to Speedway Stadium Milenium.

She said: “This will be the sixth time Speedway GP has visited Croatia and it’s always a pleasure to host riders and fans from all over the world as we stage the opening round of the championship for the third consecutive year.

“We have had some great nights of racing, and I am sure this year will be no exception. Bartosz Zmarzlik has won the past two FIM Croatian Speedway GPs and his rivals will be hungry to stop him winning number three.

“A number of riders and teams have visited us in recent weeks as they get ready for the season and excitement is already building. We thank everyone who makes this event possible and can’t wait to see you in Croatia on April 27.”