FIM Speedway Gorzow GP recap - Fredrik Lindgren roars to victory ahead of Bartosz Zmarzlik
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 29/06/2024 at 20:55 GMT
Fredrik Lindgren claimed his first victory of the 2024 Speedway Grand Prix season in the latest round of action in Gorzow. The Swede edged out of home favourite Bartosz Zmarzlik in a thrilling final, although the Polish star a defending champion remains in the overall lead after watching rivals Robert Lambert and Jack Holder falter.
Speedway
Image credit: Eurosport
LINDGREN TAKES FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON IN GORZOW
Fredrik Lindgren took his first win of the season in Gorzow, beating Bartosz Zmarzlik to the trophy.
Championship leader Zmarzlik dominated proceedings early on on the grippy track, but as the surface started to get more slick, Lindgren as well as the Danish duo of Leon Madsen and Mikkel Michelsen started coming into their own.
The quartet lined up for the final where Zmarzlik took the holeshot at tapes up with Michelsen shadowing him. However, Lindgren committed to a brave line round the outside near the fence to shoot into runner-up spot.
He went to hunt down Zmarzlik and opted for the outside line again to challenge. The Swede pulled off an incredible move to take the lead down the back straight and never let go of it from there.
21:05 - THANK YOU AND GOODBYE
And that's it for racing action from Gorzow for another season - thank you for your company tonight. The Speedway Grand Prix series now heads into its mid-season break and will return on 17 August for the Grand Prix of Great Britain in Cardiff. See you then!
LINDGREN POST-RACE
"I don't know what to say, it's absolutely awesome. It's so nice to be back on the podium, on the top step.
"This whole day has been like a battle and a rollercoaster. I finished 15th in qualifying and got a pretty tough race number. But I've been fighting and fighting all the way tonight and I did it in the final."
ZMARZLIK POST-RACE
"The podium is always the plan for me. It's very important because the championship is the most important and to make the most points every round. Of course, a win always feels the best, but I'm happy with what I've done today because I've come back to Gorzow and I really love racing here. The boys made a good show for us and thank you for the support."
MICHELSEN POST-RACE
"I'm definitely having fun, maybe a bit too much fun at times. We kept it exciting and People on their toes.
It's a great result, I'm happy to make the podium again. Maybe I risked a bit too much taking Gate 4 for the final. But if you don't risk it, you don't get the biscuits. We gave it our best shot tonight, the boys worked hard in the pit and I just did the easy part out on track."
FINAL - LINDGREN, ZMARZLIK, MICHELSEN, HOLDER
Zmarzlik took the holeshot from Gate 1 and was initially shadowed by Michelsen. However, Lindgren punched his way into second and went to hunt down the defending champion. Opting for the outside line, Lindgren challenged and made the move stick to take the lead and did not let it go again. Madsen was out of proceedings early with a technical issue.
FINAL GATE SELECTION
- Gate 4: Michelsen
- Gate 3: Madsen
- Gate 2: Lindgren
- Gate 1: Zmarzlik
SEMI-FINAL 2 - MICHELSEN, LINDGREN, VACULIK, WOZNIAK
Wozniak beat Vaculik to the lead early on, but it was Michelsen who shot into the lead from the outside line. Lindgren also made headlines early on, divebombing at Turn 3 to sneak into second to go hunt down the Dane. There was no beating Michelsen though and no way back into contention for Vaculik and Wozniak.
SEMI-FINAL 1 - MADSEN, ZMARZLIK, HUCKENBECK, HOLDER
Zmarzlik worked the inside gate to take the lead at tapes up and held on to it. However, behind him Madsen and Holder engaged in battle with the Aussie going down without contact. Huckenbeck aborted his bike as a result to not collect him and the semi-final was stopped. Holder was excluded from the restart.
At the second time of asking, Zmarzlik and Huckenbeck engaged in battle at the start, allowing Madsen to shoot past from the outside line down the back straight. Zmarzlik went to hunt down Madsen, but there was no stopping the Dane.
SEMI-FINAL 2 GATE SELECTION
- Gate 4: Michelsen
- Gate 3: Lindgren
- Gate 2: Wozniak
- Gate 1: Vaculik
SEMI-FINAL 1 GATE SELECTION
- Gate 4: Madsen
- Gate 3: Huckenbeck
- Gate 2: Holder
- Gate 1: Zmarzlik
GATE SUCCESS AFTER QUALIFYING HEATS
- Gate 4: 4 wins
- Gate 3: 10 wins
- Gate 2: 3 wins
- Gate 1: 3 wins
STANDINGS AFTER QUALIFYING HEATS
- 1. Zmarzlik 12pts
- 2. Lindgren 12pts
- 3. Michelsen 11pts
- 4. Madsen 10pts
- 5. Vaculik 9pts
- 6. Huckenbeck 9pts
- 7. Holder 9pts
- 8. Wozniak 9pts
- 9. Kvech 7pts
- 10. Bewley 7pts
- 11. Fajfer 5pts
- 12. Fricke 5pts
- 13. Kubera 4pts
- 14. Lambert 4pts
- 15. Woffinden 3pts
- 16. Janowski 3pts
HEAT 20 - MICHELSEN, HUCKENBECK, BEWLEY, FAJFER
Bewley hit the front at tapes up but was immediately swallowed and fell into third. Instead, Michelsen claimed the lead and rode a confident line near the fence to stay ahead of Huckenbeck who had to settle for second. It was third for Bewley while Fajfer missed out.
HEAT 19 - MADSEN, LINDGREN, ZMARZLIK, JANOWSKI
Excellent start from Lindgren, but it was Madsen who made the outside line work for him and cut inside to sneak ahead. The quieted down with Lindgren settling for second, Zmarzlik for third, and Janowski rounding out the results.
HEAT 18 - KVECH, LAMBERT, FRICKE, PALUCH
Lambert hugged the inside from Gate 1, but Kvech cut in from the outside to sneak ahead and escape immediately. The race spread out from there with Lambert comfortable in second and Fricke and Paluch rounding out the heat.
HEAT 17 - WOZNIAK, HOLDER, VACULIK, KUBERA
Wozniak made a lovely start off the inside but had Holder shadowing him from the get-go. Wozniak owned the outside line and made it work for him to stay ahead of the Aussie. Behind, Vaculik held Kubera at bay to salvage a point.
WHERE CAN I WATCH THE 2024 SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX?
Eurosport and discovery+ will show live coverage of every round of 2024 Speedway Grand Prix action.
Every meeting, including qualifying, will be broadcast in full and will be accessible live-on-demand on discovery+ and Eurosport's digital platforms.
Eurosport.com will provide live coverage, reaction and video highlights of every single meeting.
GATE SUCCESS AFTER 16 HEATS
- Gate 4: 3 wins
- Gate 3: 8 wins
- Gate 2: 3 wins
- Gate 1: 2 wins
STANDINGS AFTER 16 HEATS
- 1. Zmarzlik 11pts
- 2. Lindgren 10pts
- 3. Vaculik 8pts
- 4. Michelsen 8pts
- 5. Huckenbeck 7pts
- 6. Holder 7pts
- 7. Madsen 7pts
- 8. Bewley 6pts
- 9. Wozniak 6pts
- 10. Fajfer 5pts
- 11. Kvech 4pts
- 12. Fricke 4pts
- 13. Kubera 4pts
- 14. Woffinden 3pts
- 15. Janowski 3pts
- 16. Lambert 2pts
HEAT 16 - HUCKENBECK, MADSEN, BEWLEY, KUBERA
Lambert made the best of the inside gate to take the lead initially. However, Huckenbeck came from nowhere to shoot into the lead. Matters got worse for Bewley as Madsen too swept past him and went to hunt down the German. Huckenbeck stood firm though for the win while the Dane had to settle for second. Bewley and Kubera followed.
HEAT 15 - LINDGREN, BEWLEY, MISKOWIAK, VACULIK
Miskowiak made the best start but was instantly swallowed by both Lindgren and Bewley, the duo escaping at the front. Lindgren held Bewley at bay while Miskowiak stood firm in third, Vaculik not finding a way past.
HEAT 14 - HOLDER, FRICKE, MICHELSEN, PALUCH, JANOWSKI
The heat came to an end before it began with a jump start from Janowski who was excluded as a result. He was replaced by Oskar Paluch
Holder smashed the start to take the lead and held on to it. Behind, Fricke and Michelsen exchanged punches, allowing Holder to pull away further, the Aussie just coming out on top. Paluch followed in fourth.
HEAT 13 - FAJFER, ZMARZLIK, WOZNIAK, KVECH
It was Zmarzlik again at tapes up, but Fajfer made a great move on the cutback to briefly take the lead. He ran wide initially but retaliated to claim the lead. Zmarzlik kept challenging and the duo crossed the line head-to-head,Fajfer just hanging on to P1. Wozniak and Kvech followed in third and fourth.
STANDINGS AFTER 12 HEATS
- 1. Zmarzlik 9pts
- 2. Vaculik 8pts
- 3. Michelsen 7pts
- 4. Lindgren 7pts
- 5. Wozniak 5pts
- 6. Madsen 5pts
- 7. Kvech 4pts
- 8. Bewley 4pts
- 9. Huckenbeck 4pts
- 10. Holder 4pts
- 11. Kubera 4pts
- 12. Woffinden 3pts
- 13. Janowski 3pts
- 14. Fricke 2pts
- 15. Fajfer 2pts
- 16. Lambert 1pts
HEAT 12 - VACULIK, JANOWSKI, KVECH, HUCKENBECK
Vaculik nailed the start from Gate 3 and shot into the lead, immediately creating a gap. Behind Janowski got the better of Huckenbeck in a tight battle and went to cut down the deficit to Vaculik. However, the Slovak hung on to the position, Janowski having to settle for second. Matters got worse for Huckenbeck who also had to surrender to Kvech in the late stages.
HEAT 11 - LINDGREN, HOLDER, LAMBERT, FAJFER
Holder held on to the inside line from Gate 1 and slammed the door shut. However, Lindgren found the outside line and made the cutback work for him to sneak into the lead with an incredible move. Holder gave chase but couldn't beat Lindgren to it. Lambert had to settle for third with Fajfer further behind in fourth.
HEAT 10 - ZMARZLIK, FRICKE, KUBERA, BEWLEY
Zmarzlik made the inside gate work to take the lead at tapes up but hit the fence straight after. Despite getting out of shape, he managed to stay on his bike and indeed in front. Behind, Fricke beat Kubera to second while Bewley never looked in contention in this heat.
HEAT 9 - MICHELSEN, WOZNIAK, MADSEN, MISKOWIAK
Wozniak made a great start, but Michelsen made an excellent move stick on the cutback to charge through the gap and steal the lead. While the Dane escaped, Wozniak defended second from Madsen while Miskowiak had to settle for fourth in his opening heat.
WOFFINDEN OUT
As expected, Tai Woffinden will not take part in the remainder of the Grand Prix after his heavy crash in Heat 8. He will be replaced by Jakub Miskowiak in the next heat.
STANDINGS AFTER EIGHT HEATS
- 1. Zmarzlik 6pts
- 2. Vaculik 5pts
- 3. Bewley 4pts
- 4. Michelsen 4pts
- 5. Huckenbeck 4pts
- 6. Lindgren 4pts
- 7. Madsen 4pts
- 8. Kvech 3pts
- 9. Woffinden 3pts
- 10. Kubera 3pts
- 11. Wozniak 3pts
- 12. Holder 2pts
- 13. Fajfer 2pts
- 14. Janowski 1pts
- 15. Fricke 0pts
- 16. Lambert 0pts
HEAT 8 - ZMARZLIK, HOLDER, HUCKENBECK, WOFFINDEN
Things got tight at the start and Woffinden went down in the commotion, resulting in the heat being stopped and the Brit being recovered from the track by the ambulance. Fortunately, Woffinden was conscious.
At the second time of asking, it was a three-way battle into Turn 1 again with Zmarzlik coming out top. He was able to immediately pull away at the front. Holder looked comfortable in second with Huckenbeck in third as the heat came to a fairly quiet conclusion.
HEAT 7 - MICHELSEN, LINDGREN, KUBERA, KVECH
Michelsen took the holeshot from Gate 1 with a ruthless start. Kvech followed in second but crashed out of the heat, leaving Kubera in runner-up spot. However, the Polish rider was under attack from Lindgren, who was recovering from a poor start that almost saw him go down, and had to surrender the position.
HEAT 6 - VACULIK, MADSEN, FAJFER, FRICKE
Madsen nailed it from Gate 4 but was under immediate attack from Vaculik, again on the outside line, who made his way past with an excellent move. Madsen didn't quite let him run away but couldn't find a way to strike either. Fajfer followed in third while Fricke missed out in fourth.
HEAT 5 - BEWLEY, WOZNIAK, JANOWSKI, LAMBERT
Janowski had the lead at tapes up, but things got tight between all four riders on the cutback. Bewley came out top and escaped into the distance from Wozniak in second. In a battle for third, Janowski managed to hold Lambert behind him.
HEAT 4 - WOFFINDEN, KUBERA, FAJFER, JANOWSKI
Classy from Woffinden who got the better of Kubera at tapes up and quickly established a small lead. He held Kubera at bay, the Polish rider quite comfortably in second. It was a fierce battle for third though with Fajfer eventually beating Janowski to the final point on offer.
HEAT 3 - ZMARZLIK, VACULIK, MICHELSEN, LAMBERT
Sensational start from Zmarzlik who committed to the far outside line to slot past Vaculik - who refrained from slamming the door shut on his opponent - and into the lead. The defending champion escaped into the distance while Vaculik easily held Michelsen at bay. It was a frustrating heat for Lambert who was out early on with a technical issue.
HEAT 2 - KVECH, MADSEN, BEWLEY, HOLDER
What a start from Kvech who took the lead from Gate 2 and got his head down to escape at the front. Madsen followed at a bit of a distance while Bewley defended third from Holder who couldn't quite recover from a chaotic start from the outside gate.
HEAT 1 - HUCKENBECK, LINDGREN, WOZNIAK, FRICKE
Wozniak had the best start at tapes up, but Huckenbeck challenged from the outside line and made it stick to slot in front. Lindgren made his way into the mix, also making use of the outside line to make it a three-way battle for the win. Huckenbeck came out on top with Lindgren and Wozniak having to settle for positions while Fricke never looked in contention.
17:57 - HEAT CARD
Here is how things are lining up today:
17:52 - WEATHER REPORT
It's a a hot day in Gorzow with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius - this will be a tough one for the riders!
17:47 - LAMBERT IN HIGH SPIRITS
Currently sitting second in the title standings, it's been an outstanding campaign for Robert Lambert so far:
17:42 - POINTS HUNT CONTINUES FOR FRICKE
Having been drafted into the series as a substitute for Jason Doyle, Max Fricke has made an impressive return to SGP with 28 points on his tally after just two rounds. With half the Season still to come, the Aussie is keen to continue climb up the standings for a potential top 6 finish:
“It potentially makes things a little bit better that I know I am racing now. But I have missed three GPs at the beginning of the season. That’s a lot of racing and a lot of points. In the grand scheme of things, it was always going to be tough.
“We will see how things turn out. Maybe closer to the end of the season we can re-evaluate things. But for the moment, I am taking it race by race and meeting by meeting. We will see how we stack up and hopefully I can mix it up in the GPs.
“I think even getting some rides this year is a big opportunity. It’s also a chance to prove I deserve to be here.”
17:38 - CHASE IS ON FOR AUSSIE ACE HOLDER
The Edward Jancarz Stadium is a special place for Jack Holder, being the venue where he raced for Stal Gorzow in 2020, a season that saw him make huge strides and put him on course to becoming a future Speedway GP rider. Currently third in the championship standings with a deficit of 18 points, the Aussie bids to close the gap to leader Bartosz Zmarzlik tonight:
“I go well around Gorzow,” Holder said. “Hopefully we can start clawing back some points. We are at the halfway stage now, so I need to put my head down and get what I want.
"If one rider misses out in the semi-final and someone goes through to the final, that’s most of the points back right there. We have six rounds to go, and the fat lady isn’t singing yet.”
Reflecting on the previous GP in Malilla, where he finished fourth, Holder said: "It could have gone either way. After the rain we had just before the meeting, it was quite tricky. I started off with a last place and was covered in mud. But I regrouped and was popping out of the starts.
“It came down to the semi-final. I thought I took the right gate, but Max [Fricke] popped out and that gave me third pick for the final. I made a change for the final, but I didn’t go the right way. I am just really happy to have made another final and bounced back from a bad one at Round 4 in Prague.”
17:34 - WHERE CAN I WATCH THE 2024 SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX?
Eurosport and discovery+ will show live coverage of every round of 2024 Speedway Grand Prix action.
Every meeting, including qualifying, will be broadcast in full and will be accessible live-on-demand on discovery+ and Eurosport's digital platforms.
Eurosport.com will provide live coverage, reaction and video highlights of every single meeting.
17:30 - HELLO AND WELCOME
Good evening and thank you for joining our live text coverage of the Speedway Grand Prix of Gorzow. We're back in Poland for the second time this season and, as always, Gorzow promises to be a highlight. The city itself lives and breathes Speedway while, home to PGE Ekstraliga giants Stal Gorzow, the Edward Jancarz Stadium regularly stages world-class racing. Last year's stop here came with an epic final that saw Bartosz Zmarzlik win on his boyhood track - can the championship leader repeat that feat today? We're about to find out!
Scan me
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement