Speedway Gorzow Grand Prix as it happened - Bartosz Zmarzlik wins on home soil after dramatic final

ByEurosport

Updated 24/06/2023 at 19:58 GMT

Welcome to Eurosport's live text coverage of round five of the 2023 Speedway Grand Prix from Gorzow, Poland. Reigning champion, championship leader and hometown favourite Bartosz Zmarzlik will be hoping to continue his fantastic run of form in front of a passionate Polish crowd. Stream every round of the 2023 Speedway Grand Prix season live on Eurosport and discovery+.

‘Fabulous stuff!’ - Zmarzlik wins Teterow Grand Prix

THANKS AND GOODBYE!

That's all for today - thank you for joining us!

GP Poland

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The 2023 Speedway Grand Prix will return on the weekend of 15 July when Malilla in Sweden hosts the riders.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Here is what the championship's overall standings look like with more than half the season in the books:

1. Bartosz Zmarzlik 90
2. Jack Holder 69
3. Fredrik Lindgren 68
4. Jason Doyle 68
5. Leon Madsen 60
6. Robert Lambert 54
7. Martin Vaculik 51
8. Dan Bewley 49
9. Tai Woffinden 41
10. Max Fricke 34
11. Maciej Janowski 31
12. Anders Thomsen 29
13. Mikkel Michelsen 28
14. Patryk Dudek 28
15. Kim Nilsson 22
16. Bartlomiej Kowalski 4

FINAL: 1. ZMARZLIK 2. MADSEN 3. LINDGREN

Fredrik Lindgren took the lead into the first corner from gate 2, but Leon Madsen came from the outside to hit the front on the opening lap. Bartosz Zmarzlik was on the hunt and stalked the Dane right up to the final corner where he dived down the inside to force his opponent wide and pass.

With the win on home soil, Zmarzlik extends his championship lead to a dominant advantage.

FINAL: RED AGAIN - DOYLE OUT

Jason Doyle came charging across to take the lead from gate 3 before Leon Madsen shot in front. Things got worse for Doyle who lost momentum and, after some contact with Fredrik Lindgren, went down. The umpire this time ruled that Doyle would not return to the starting line-up.

FINAL: RED - ALL RIDERS TO RESTART

We have a red fag out following a get-together between Jason Doyle and Fredrik Lindgren with the Aussie firmly shutting the door and, as a result, leading to the Swede going down. The umpire made his decision and all four riders will restart.

FINAL LINE-UP

The final is set and, from the outside to inside gate, the riders will line up as follows: Leon Madsen, Jason Doyle, Fredrik Lindgren, Bartosz Zmarzlik

SEMI-FINAL 2: LINDGREN, MADSEN, LAMBERT, WOFFINDEN

Fredrik Lindgren beat Leon Madsen to the lead in the first corner and left no doubt as he stormed to the win. Madsen remained well composed in second while the two Brits Robert Lambert and Tai Woffinden were well beaten in third and fourth.

SEMI-FINAL 1: SMARZLIK, DOYLE, HOLDER, JANOWSKI

Bartosz Smarzlik held the inside to lead from the start and Jason Doyle was the only other rider able to hold on. Smarzlik gradually edged away though while Doyle fell into the clutches of Jack Holder. Doyle just about managed to hold on to second, meaning Holder in third suffered a heavy blow to his championship campaign. Maciej Janowski was left without a chance in fourth.

SEMI-FINAL ALLOCATIONS

Semi-final 1: Maciej Janowski, Jack Holder, Jason Doyle, Bartosz Zmarzlik

Semi-final 2: Robert Lambert, Tai Woffinden, Fredrik Lindgren, Leon Madsen

STANDINGS AFTER 20 HEATS

With all qualifying heats done and dusted, here are your results with the top 8 progressing to the semi-finals:

1. Bartosz Zmarzlik 13
2. Leon Madsen 11
3. Robert Lambert 11
4. Jason Doyle 10
5. Fredrik Lindgren 10
6. Maciej Janowski 10
7. Jack Holder 9
8. Tai Woffinden 8
9. Dan Bewley 7
10. Max Fricke 6
11. Anders Thomsen 6
12. Patryk Dudek 6
13. Mikkel Michelsen 5
14. Martin Vaculik 4
15. Kim Nilsson 3
16. Szymon Wozniak 1

HEAT 20: LAMBERT, DOYLE, MICHELSEN, LINDGREN

While Fredrik Lindgren made a mess of the start, Robert Lambert got off to a flyer and claimed the lead. Jason Doyle stalked the Brit but couldn't make a move. However, the Aussie did hold off Mikkel Michelsen who had to settle for third.

HEAT 19: HOLDER, NILSSON, FRICKE, WOZNIAK

Kim Nilsson had a smashing start and took the lead, but a brilliant move at the end of Lap 1 saw Jack Holder claim the position. The Aussie held on to first while Nilsson just about managed to keep Max Fricke behind him. Szymon Wozniak finished in fourth.

The win was crucial for Holder who secured himself a semi-final spot. It also means that Tai Woffinden just about makes it through.

HEAT 18: ZMARZLIK, WOFFINDEN, BEWLEY, DUDEK

Bartosz Zmarzlik confidently claimed the lead from the start and brought it home. A battle of the Brits emerged for second between Tai Woffinden and Dan Bewley with the former hanging on to the position, retaliating on the cut-back every time Bewley made a move. Patryk Dudek was left without a chance in fourth.

HEAT 17: MADSEN, JANOWSKI, THOMSEN, VACULIK

Leon Madsen and Anders Thomsen were fighting for the lead at the start with Madsen coming out the better. Thomsen lost momentum and fell behind Maciej Janowski and could not regain the position. Meanwhile, Martin Vaculik had a terrible start and never managed to recover from it.

The results means both Madsen and Janowski are through to the semi-finals.

STANDINGS AFTER 16 HEATS

1. Bartosz Zmarzlik 10
2. Fredrik Lindgren 10
3. Jason Doyle 8
4. Leon Madsen 8
5. Robert Lambert 8
6. Maciej Janowski 8
7. Dan Bewley 6
8. Patryk Dudek 6
9. Tai Woffinden 6
10. Jack Holder 6
11. Max Fricke 5
12. Anders Thomsen 5
13. Mikkel Michelsen 4
14. Martin Vaculik 4
15. Kim Nilsson 1
16. Szymon Wozniak 1

GATE SUCCESS EVENLY SPREAD

The gate success is starting to level with 16 heats in the books. It's five wins so far from the outside, followed by three from third, four from second, and four from the inside.

HEAT 16: ZMARZLIK, HOLDER, LAMBERT, VACULIK

Bartosz Zmarzlik had a flawless start from the inside and pulled away comfortably. Jack Holder and Robert Lambert engaged in a fierce battle, but the Aussie reigned supreme with Lambert eventually resolving to put his efforts into holding Martin Vaculik behind him.

Zmarzlik is now set for a semi-final spot.

HEAT 15: DOYLE, JANOWSKI, BEWLEY, NILSSON

Jason Doyle shot down the inside to fly past everyone on Lap 1. Maciej Janowski was glued to the Aussie's rear wheel but couldn't make a move stick and had to settle for second. Nothing came together in this heat for Dan Bewley who seemed to be fighting with blunt edges in third but at least managed to hold off Kim Nilsson.

HEAT 14: MICHELSEN, WOFFINDEN, THOMSEN, WOZNIAK

A formidable start from Mikkel Michelsen saw the Dane shoot into the lead and bring the position home. Tai Woffinden was his first chaser but rather than hunting him down, the Brit was occupied with holding off an attacking Anders Thomsen. Szymon Wozniak completed the heat in fourth.

HEAT 13: LINDGREN, DUDEK, MADSEN, FRICKE

Patryk Dudek got off to a great start and just about held Fredrik Lindgren initially. However, the Swede made some aggressive but well-calculated moves to take the lead on Lap 1 and never let it go. Dudek meanwhile fell into the clutches of Leon Madsen but fought hard to maintain second. Max Fricke was stuck at the back throughout.

With this win, Lindgren is guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals.

HEAT 12: LAMBERT, JANOWSKI, WOZNIAK, DUDEK.

Robert Lambert block passed Szymon Wozniak at the start to take the lead and hang on to it. Wozniak lost momentum and fell behind Maciej Janowski and despite his best efforts couldn't regain the position. However, he did fight off Patryk Dudek who rounded out the results.

HEAT 11: ZMARZLIK, LINDGREN, THOMSEN, NILSSON

Bartosz Zmarzlik shut the door on Anders Thomsen at the start to take the lead on the inside and held off Fredrik Lindgren who came from the outside and swiftly established himself as the first chaser. Thomsen had to settle for third while Kim Nilsson came home in fourth.

HEAT 10: DOYLE, WOFFINDEN, FRICKE, VAKULIC

Jason Doyle fired to the lead at the start and never looked in doubt from there. Tai Woffinden hunted Max Fricke and confidently capitalised on a small error from the Aussie to take second off him. The heat was over before it properly started for Martin Vakulic whose bike gave up the ghost when the tapes went up.

HEAT 9: MADSEN, HOLDER, MICHELSEN, BEWLEY

Jack Holder made a great start, but Leon Madsen rode a brilliant first lap to take the lead and pull away, leaving Holder in second. Mikkel Michelsen looked in contention but couldn't make a move on the Aussie while Dan Bewley was stuck at the back.

STANDINGS AFTER 8 HEATS

1. Dan Bewley 5
2. Fredrik Lindberg 5
3. Bartosz Zmarzlik 4
4. Leon Madsen 4
5. Robert Lambert 4
6. Martin Vaculik 4
7. Max Fricke 4
8. Maciej Janowski 4
9. Patryk Dudek 4
10. Anders Thomsen 3
11. Tai Woffinden 2
12. Jason Doyle 2
13. Jack Holder 2
14. Kim Nilsson 1
15. Mikkel Michelsen 0
16. Szymon Wozniak 0

SIDE GATES SUPREME

With two sets of heats done, the inside and outside gates have produced the most wins so far, three coming from each. Only one win each came from the inner gates.

The track is looking very slick this evening and it will be interesting to see how the conditions develop from here.

FIGHTING TALK FROM WOFFINDEN

Before the racing action got underway, Eurosport caught up with Tai Woffinden during his track walk.

'I've got more world titles in me' - Woffinden opens up during Gorzow track walk

HEAT 8: LAMBERT, BEWLEY, FRICKE, THOMSEN

Robert Lambert got off to an inch-perfect start and was chased down by Dan Bewley who recovered quickly from a tricky get-off. However, Bewley did not go overly aggressive on his compatriot and Lambert hung on for the win. Max Fricke followed in third while Anders Thomsen's bike change turned out to be a let-down.

HEAT 7: VACULIK, DUDEK, NILSSON, MICHELSEN

Martin Vaculik nailed the start and established himself in the lead. A fierce three-way battle for the remaining places was open until the final lap and eventually saw Patryk Dudek come out best ahead of Kim Nilsson and Mikkel Michelsen.

HEAT 6: LINDGREN, JANOWSKI, HOLDER, WOFFINDEN

Fredrik Lindgren got off to a flying start and fought hard to maintain the lead. Maciej Janowski kept the pressure up throughout but did not come close to a serious lead assault while Jack Holder followed in third. A poor start cost Tai Woffinden dearly and left him at the back.

HEAT 5: ZMARZLIK, DOYLE, MADSEN, WOZNIAK

A bike change paid off for Bartosz Zmarzlik who took the lead round the outside on Lap 1 and stormed to the win. Leon Madsen was locked at the back for the better part of the heat but pulled off a last-corner move to get past Szymon Wozniak. He, however, could not stop Jason Doyle from taking second.

HEAT 4: BEWLEY, LINDGREN, VACULIK, WOZNIAK

Dan Bewley pulled off a great move down the inside on Lap 1 when his opponents all went wide and left the door open. The Brit pulled away while Fredrik Lindgren came out top of a fierce battle for second with Martin Vaculik. Szymon Wozniak came home in fourth.

HEAT 3: FRICKE, JANOWSKI, ZMARZLIK, MICHELSEN

Maciej Janowski took the lead from the inside gate and initially fought off Mikkel Michelsen, Max Fricke swifly took the lead through the corner and confidently brought the win home from Janowski, Bartosz Zmarzlik, and Michelsen who never quite recovered from losing momentum in the Fricke overtake.

HEAT 2: THOMSEN, DUDEK, HOLDER, DOYLE

Patryk Dudek fired into the lead from Gate 2 but some carnage between him and the two Aussies left Anders Thomsen in the right place at the right time to capitalise and hit the front. He never surrendered it to take the win from Dudek, Jack Holder, and Jason Doyle who suffered heavily from the chaos on the first lap.

HEAT 1: MADSEN, WOFFINDEN, LAMBERT, NILSSON

Starting from the inside gate, Leon Madsen took the lead from the get-go and kept pulling away from his opponents. The Dane looked flawless in this heat! Behind, Robert Lambert seriously pressured Tai Woffinden but could not make a move stick. Kim Nilsson completes the field.

MOMENTS AWAY

Presentations are underway and we are just about good to go!

WEATHER REPORT

It's a rather warm evening in Gorzow on 27 degrees celsius as the riders take to the Edward Jancarz Stadium, one of the finest purpose-built track racing stadiums in the world.

HOLDER ON DEALING WITH HOME SICKNESS

Jack Holder set the 10th fastest time in qualifying today. Ahead of the race, the Aussie spoke about the struggles of dealing with home sickness while competing in the championship.

'You never get over it' - Holder on dealing with homesickness during Speedway GP season

HEAT CARD

Here's the line-up for tonight:

FRICKE FASTEST IN QUALIFYING

With racing almost about to start, here's a reminder how qualifying went earlier today: Max Fricke led an Aussie one-two with Jason Doyle at the top of the timing charts in Gorzow. Double Danish champion Anders Thomsen, flying the flag for the local Stal Gorzow team, followed in third, while wild card Szymon Wozniak took an impressive fourth. Tai Woffinden was the fastest Brit in seventh.

1. Max Fricke 14.341s
2. Jason Doyle +0.044
3. Anders Thomsen +0.110
4. Szymon Wozniak +0.123
5. Fredrik Lindgren +0.141
6. Bartosz Zmarzlik +0.154
7. Tai Woffinden +0.156
8. Leon Madsen +0.192
9. Maciej Janowski +0.202
10. Jack Holder +0.227
11. Mikkel Michelsen +0.269
12. Dan Bewley +0.294
13. Martin Vaculik +0.325
14. Robert Lambert +0.366
15. Patryk Dudek +0.392
16. Oskar Fajfer +0.536
17. Wiktor Jasinski +0.542
18. Kim Nilsson +0.573

ZMARZLIK COMPETES ON HOME SOIL AS CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER

All eyes will be on home hero Bartosz Zmarzlik who goes into Round 5 as championship leader. Here is a reminder of the current top five in the standings:

1. Bartosz Zmarzlik 70
2. Jack Holder 58
3. Jason Doyle 54
4. Fredrik Lindgren 52
5. Martin Vaculik 48

HELLO AND WELCOME!

Good morning, good evening, wherever you're watching in the world! Everything is set for the 2023 Speedway Grand Prix's second stop in Poland this season with the racing action to start in Gorzow in under half an hour. Stick around for live build-up and coverage, and don't forget you can watch everything live on Eurosport.com and discovery+.

Fricke takes top spot in qualifying session with Zmarzlik out of top 5

Australian star Max Fricke topped qualifying earlier on Saturday with a surprise as leader Bartosz Zmarzlik finished outside of the top five.

It was an Australian top two with Jason Doyle finishing just behind Fricke.

Watch - Fricke secures top time in qualifying and then top five riders pick their lanes

Bewley: Horror crash cost me two years but made me the rider I am now

Dan Bewley has revealed how a nasty crash in 2018 made him “a better rider in the long run” as he prepares to compete in round five of the 2023 Speedway Grand Prix in Gorzow, Poland.

Bewley, 24, broke his femur, shoulder and wrist following a crash while riding for Workington Comets.

He was left in a wheelchair for several months following the incident.

But he has recovered and last year made a memorable debut in Speedway Grand Prix, winning back-to-back races in Cardiff and Wroclaw, Poland.

“I think that crash cost me two years in my career, but at the same time it probably made me the rider I am now,” Bewley told Eurosport’s 'Power of Sport' series.

“I had to focus on my technique because I was so scared to get back on the bike. It probably made me into a better rider in the long run.”

‘Made me into a better rider’ - Bewley opens up on battling back from serious injury

Thomsen feeling in the 'groove' as he aims to win again in Gorzow

Anders Thomsen is feeling in the “groove” as he looks to hit form and win in Gorzow, Poland for the second year in a row.

Thomsen overcame challenging conditions to claim victory at the track in the 2022 Speedway Grand Prix season.

That was Thomsen’s only victory last year and he is yet to get back in the winner’s circle after four races of the 2023 campaign.

However, he was close to making the final last time out in Teterow and thinks he is heading in the right direction at the midway point of the 10-race season.

“I feel like I've started to get into better shape overall, a bit late in the season,” he told Eurosport Denmark.

“I've really found my groove, both for myself and my team."

Read the full story here.

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