Speedway Grand Prix 2024: Martin Vaculik says rival Bartosz Zmarzlik 'motivates us to be better'

Published 25/04/2024 at 10:36 GMT

The latest campaign of Speedway Grand Prix action is about to commence and ahead of the first meeting in Croatia, title hopeful Martin Vaculik has spoken of his chances this year and says defending champion, Poland's Bartosz Zmarzlik, is the man to beat once more. Watch and stream the 2024 Speedway Grand Prix season live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Watch highlights of British Speedway GP as Vaculik takes victory

Speedway Grand Prix star Martin Vaculik says defending world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik "has moved the limits to another level" as he weighed up his own chances of title glory this season.

After claiming back-to-back world crowns in the last two years - as well as four in the last five seasons - Zmarzlik begins his quest for a historic third consecutive title when the new campaign begins in Croatia this weekend.

The Polish speedster will have several challengers in the 15-man field of permanent riders this year, including Vaculik, who claimed bronze overall in 2023.

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Ahead of the season opener in Donji Kraljevec, the Slovakian detailed why Zmarzlik has been so successful.

“Bartosz is a great sportsman. He is very talented,” Vaculik told FIMSpeedway.com. “He works hard and he has a great team. He has all these tools to be the best.

“I can truly say he is a motivation for us. He motivates us to be better than we are now. He has moved the limits to another level. That’s good.

“Always when I beat him in a heat, I am very happy. It’s a cool feeling. He’s just moving the limit up and up and up.”

A third-place finish last season was a career-best for Vaculik, and a first ever Speedway medal for his nation.

The 34-year-old picked up impressive wins at both the Cardiff and at his ‘home’ race in Prague.

Hoping to build on the success, Vaculik believes a world title bid is in his sights this year and remains cautiously optimistic about his chances.

He said: “Of course, I will try my best. I am keeping my feet on the ground, and I am focused on the moment.

“Of course, I have a dream to be world champion. I think the main reason all 15 riders are in the GP is because they want to be world champion – otherwise they will not be in there.

“It is a process. I will try my best and I am very pleased I can be among the 15 best riders in the world.

“I just want to show my best and, if everything works well and goes like it should, then I can really fight for a very high position.”

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The 2024 Speedway Grand Prix will be available live and ad-free on discovery+.

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