Speedway GP: Perseverance paid off – for Bartosz Zmarzlik too

Whilst the song ‘Purple Rain’ blared from the loudspeakers at the Olympic Stadium in Wrocław, track staff were working flat out to cope with the torrents of rain that had fallen from the sky and left both the speedway track and the pit lane under water.

FIM Race Director Phil Morris wanted to get the Grand Prix underway early with a quick start during a break in the rain, but the riders were united in their view that they did not want to rush into it and urged patience. “We tried to beat the weather with a quick start, but it threw a spanner in the works,” Morris commented on TV. “The paddock was flooded; we had to call the fire brigade and didn’t know what the weather would do, as there were conflicting forecasts.”

Riders were united in their refusal to start under these conditions

After the first riders had lined up for the start, world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik called everyone together, and discussions ensued with race director Morris, which Jason Doyle commented on as follows: “We agreed that, under the circumstances – with everything under water – we wouldn’t ride. We’re keen to race, but first the rain had to ease off, as we couldn’t use any equipment in the pits to cool the clutch or other electrical components. It was the first time all 16 riders had been in agreement on something like this, which makes me proud.”

Although the delay meant that the race didn’t start until just before 10 pm, the decision proved to be the right one and the hard work of the track staff paid off, as the event was able to go ahead in its entirety. There were crashes during the race, but these were down to the action on the track rather than the track being unrideable.

World Champion Zmarzlik ends his year-long drought

As the race drew to a close, Bartosz Zmarzlik was able to celebrate his first Grand Prix victory of 2026, ending a long dry spell for the Pole, who had last tasted victory on 14 June 2025. “I’ve had to wait a long time for my 30th GP victory. It was a special moment for me and my team,” said the Wroclaw winner. “I may not have been the fastest, but I felt good in the final. Winning a Grand Prix is always special. I’ve made another dream come true, as I stood on top of the podium with my sons – that was the best moment for my family.”

With this victory, Zmarzlik has reclaimed the World Championship lead from Brady Kurtz, who finished fourth in Wrocław, and heads into the next Grand Prix in Mallila with a three-point lead; two years ago, torrential rain caused a massive delay there – and back then, too, the winner was Bartosz Zmarzlik.