Zmarzlik third in Malilla, extends Speedway GP lead to five points as Thomsen springs surprise
The Polish six-time world champion finished behind surprise winner Anders Thomsen and Britain's Robert Lambert, widening his advantage over Brady Kurtz with four rounds remaining.
Surprise winner in Malilla
Danish reserve Anders Thomsen won the Swedish Speedway Grand Prix in Malilla on Saturday, the sixth round of the world championship. Thomsen, who started the meeting as a replacement for an injured rider, was unbeatable in the final, taking the lead on the first lap and holding off Robert Lambert and Bartosz Zmarzlik. Lambert finished second after a perfect qualifying phase, while Zmarzlik was third. Thomsen's last GP victory came four years ago.
I immediately went to Anders Thomsen to congratulate him and said I was happy for him. But big congratulations to all finalists. The competition was tough, because in speedway there are no easy ones. A final is always a final. That's why I'm happy with the podium. I counted that this was my 77th career final, and I'm only 31 years old. When did I ride all of them?
Championship standings tighten
Zmarzlik's third-place finish increased his overall lead to 98 points, five ahead of Australian Brady Kurtz, who was fourth in Malilla. The Polish champion entered the round with a three-point margin. Lambert's second place moved him to 81 points, 12 behind Kurtz and 17 adrift of Zmarzlik. Danish rider Michael Jepsen Jensen is fourth with 66 points. The rest of the field has a substantial gap and is unlikely to challenge for the world title.
- Bartosz Zmarzlik
- 98 points
- Brady Kurtz
- 93 points
- Robert Lambert
- 81 points
Polish riders' mixed fortunes
Apart from Zmarzlik, three other Poles competed. Patryk Dudek and Dominik Kubera reached the last-chance heats but failed to advance to the final. Dudek was second in his heat, while Kubera finished last. Kacper Woryna struggled and finished 11th without winning a single race.
Next stop: Łódź
The series continues with round seven on 1 August at the Moto Arena in Łódź, Poland. Piotr Pawlicki will ride as the wild card, with Marcin Nowak and Szymon Szlauderbach as reserves. Ukrainian referee Aleksandr Latosiński will officiate. Only four rounds remain before the world champion is crowned.
