Wiktor Przyjemski hospitalised with suspected broken collarbone after last-turn crash in Polish junior speedway final
A last-turn collision in the decisive heat of the Polish Youth Individual Speedway Championship sent Wiktor Przyjemski to hospital with a suspected broken collarbone, handing Maksymilian Pawełczak the gold medal.
Title decider
Both Wiktor Przyjemski and Maksymilian Pawełczak, the country's top junior riders and teammates at Abramczyk Polonia Bydgoszcz, arrived at the 20th and final heat with perfect 12-point records from four series. The race would decide the championship, and it was the first time they had met on track all evening.
The crash
The first attempt was stopped after a collision on the opening bend sent Przyjemski down. In the re-run, Przyjemski jumped the start and led, but Pawełczak stalked him relentlessly. On the last bend of the final lap, Pawełczak attacked up the inside and took the lead. Przyjemski tried to strike back immediately, clipping Pawełczak's rear wheel and bringing both riders to the ground. Pawełczak walked away; Przyjemski was excluded from the re-run and remained on the track, with an ambulance called onto the circuit.
Hospital fears
Przyjemski was lifted onto a stretcher and taken to the ambulance. The vehicle remained in the pit area for a long time before finally leaving for hospital. Early unconfirmed reports indicate a broken collarbone. The 21-year-old missed the podium ceremony.
I fought for victory until the end.
Playoff pressure
Polonia Bydgoszcz has already guaranteed the top seed in the Metalkas 2. Ekstraliga playoffs. However, any extended absence for Przyjemski would be a serious blow to their promotion campaign. No official update on his condition has been released, but concern at the club is high.
