Speedway Grand Prix Sweden Qualifying as it happened - Riders battle for best gates for Malilla showdown

ByJasmine Butler

Published 17/09/2022 at 12:37 GMT

Eurosport brings you live coverage from qualifying for round 9 of the 2022 FIM Speedway Grand Prix taking place at the Skrotfrag Arena in Malilla, Sweden. The riders take to the track as they try and post the best times and select the best gates ahead of the race later in the day. The 2022 Speedway Grand Prix will be available live and ad-free on discovery+

'Plenty of room for overtaking!' - Lindgren gives us lowdown on Malilla track

Final standings and Gate pick

1 - Jack Holder (Australia) - 13
2 - Maciej Janowski (Poland) - 5
3 - Tai Woffinden (United Kingdom) - 9
4 - Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland) - 8
5 - Martin Vaculik (Slovakia) - 14
6 - Robert Lambert (United Kingdom) - 12
7 - Patryk Dudek (Poland) - 6
8 - Dan Bewley (United Kingdom) - 4
9 - Pawel Przedpelski (Poland) - 11
10 - Leon Madsen (Denmark) - 1
11 - Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden) - 10
12 - Max Fricke (Australia) - 2
13 - Jason Doyle (Australia) - 15
14 - Oliver Bernzton (Sweden) - 3
15 - Mads Hansen (Denmark) - 16
16 - Andzejs Lebedevs (Latvia) - 7

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Final standings

1 - Jack Holder (Australia)
2 - Maciej Janowski (Poland)
3 - Tai Woffinden (United Kingdom)
4 - Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland)
5 - Martin Vaculik (Slovakia)
6 - Robert Lambert (United Kingdom)
7 - Patryk Dudek (Poland)
8 - Dan Bewley (United Kingdom)
9 - Pawel Przedpelski (Poland)
10 - Leon Madsen (Denmark)
11 - Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden)
12 - Max Fricke (Australia)
13 - Jason Doyle (Australia)
14 - Oliver Bernzton (Sweden)
15 - Mads Hansen (Denmark)
16 - Andzejs Lebedevs (Latvia)

13:08 - Holder held on

Now all riders have complete their laps, it's still Holder on top. he really made the most of that optimal track. Palovaara is off his bike and it look a bad landing for him. The reserve is being cared for on the sideline with his ankle seeming to have an issue. Hopefully, it doesn't bother his chance of racing tonight.

13:05 - Holding out for Holder

It's looking more likely that the young Aussie will be our fastest man. Just a few riders left to try and set a blistering lap.

12:59 - Zmarzlik won't get first pick

The current championship leader wasn't able to topple Holder, meaning he won't get top pick of gate. Let's see where he ends up.

12:53 - Final track grading

We have one last track grading session before the final laps will be set. It's taking a while this time so bear with us.

12:48 - Last laps coming up

Doyle, Berntzon and Holder have set their last laps. Holder will be hoping no-one is faster than him.

12:46 - Track not improving

It seems as if the track has gone from the riders. A few are improving but not many are able to break into the high 13s.

12:40 - Holder still hasn't been beaten

That 13.959 is looking a strong old time from Holder.

12:31 - Zmarzlik fourth best

Zmarzlik hasn't been able to top the timing sheets yet but is sitting in fourth. Holder is still the man on top.

12:26 - Holder on top

This session was predicted to be optimal and Holder takes advantage of that, putting himself top with a 13.959.

12:25 - Reserves on show

Patryk Dudek and track reserves Victor Palovaara and Anton Karlsson are the last to set their first laps. Dudek was the fastest but still couldn't beat Woffinden's time.

12:20 - Track slower

All three riders continue with their first laps. The track has slowed down after the grading, with the best time a 14.403 from Bewley.

12:18 - Bewley down

Next up is Fredrik Lindgren, Mads Hansen and Dan Bewley. Scary moment as we have a big crash from Bewley and the session is red flagged.

12:11 - Grading break

12 riders have set their times and the track seemed to be more optimal as the latter groups went out. Woffinden is on top, but there's still plenty of time left.

12:09 - Brits on top

Pawel Przedpelski, Tai Woffinden and Robert Lambert do some flying laps. Woffinden sets a blistering time of 14.052, putting him top. Lambert goes second with a 14.161.

12:06 - Madsen on track

Andzejs Lebedevs, Max Fricke and Leon Madsen take to the track but aren't able to topple Janowski.

12:04 - Maciej sets some magic

Bartosz Zmarzlik, Martin Vaculi and Maciej Janowski are next up. Janowski goes a couple of tenths better than Holders time with a 14.232.

12:02 - Holder sets first fastest lap

Jason Doyle, Oliver Berntzon and Jack Holder are the first ones to set their flying laps. Holder is currently the fastest with a 14.408.

Can Zmarzlik do it tonight?

Bartosz Zmarzlik can take the championship win tonight. Will he do it, or will Leon Madsen force him to a last race showdown?

Wildcard and Sub

Oliver Berntzon is this weekends wilcard. The Swede impressed during the Speedway of Nations and will hope to put on a show. Mikkel Michelsen has been forced to withdraw from this weekend due to an ongoing ankle injury. Mads Hansen is the man subbing in.

Hello and Welcome

We're now at the penultimate round of this years FIM Speedway Grand Prix season. Who will get the best pick of gates in Malilla?

How to watch?

Discovery+ will provide live, ad-free coverage of every race as well as interactive services. Race action will also be live on Eurosport 2, with highlights and reaction on the Eurosport website.

How qualifying works

Qualifying usually takes place on the same day as the race and allows the rider to secure first choice of starting number. However, it's a day earlier in Cardiff, giving fans of the sport action the day before the showdown.

Every rider will start from each of the four gates at least once, but will start from one gate twice. Qualifying practice provides the opportunity to ensure they have the right starting positions at the right time.

Riders take to the track in groups of three, trying to clock the fastest laps in three blocks of two minutes. The rider who records the fastest lap is rewarded with first choice of starting number for the event. Second place chooses next and this continues right down to 16th place selecting last.

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The 2022 Speedway Grand Prix will be available live and ad-free on discovery+ with live race action also on Eurosport 2.

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