Janek Konzack makes his full debut in professional racing

At the Debrecen City Prize race in Hungary, Janek Konzack – a German competitor – made an immediate impact by winning his first heat. Despite finishing last in the second heat, the 16-year-old secured ten points and thus qualified for the semi-finals.

“The heats were quite tricky because I hadn’t quite got to grips with the track yet. But that improved as the race went on, once I’d found a good set-up. Then I was able to work my way into the race bit by bit,” said the only German in the field, who won his semi-final heat and then, starting from second place in the final, even set his sights on the leader, Jason Doyle, closing the gap on him in the final metres. “The starts were good again too. And in the final, I was even able to close the gap on Jason a little. I’m definitely happy with the race and second place,”

Konzack wants more duels like the one with Doyle

Duels like the one in Hungary, where Konzack went head-to-head with a Speedway World Champion, are now set to be a regular feature on the agenda for one of Germany’s most promising young talents. “I’ve finished Year 10 at school and am now focusing fully on my professional career,” said Konzack, who isn’t going on to do any vocational training after leaving school. “It just doesn’t fit in time-wise. If I’m racing during the week, I can’t do an apprenticeship on the side. I’ll just go and work somewhere over the winter.”

For the 16-year-old, racing is therefore his sole focus from now on. He’s convinced that, above all, competing in lots of races will help him progress. “It really helps to get into a routine and boost the learning process. But, as in Hungary, you always have to race against the very best to learn more. It’s no use, for example, if you pull away by half a straight at the front in a small race and then start thinking how fast you are. Because then you turn up at an international race and the others pull away from you by half a straight in turn. That’s why we’re starting early to take part in lots of international races where there are good riders, where I can learn a lot and pick up tips.”

To this end, Konzack regularly races with AC Landshut in the Polish league and, alongside races in Denmark, has already made a single appearance in the Swedish league – though that’s as far as it will go for now. “I rode a preliminary round race there, which we won, and that took us into the play-offs. But I can’t compete in the play-offs because you have to have ridden in at least eleven or twelve heats. As I only raced on one day, I wasn’t eligible for the play-offs,” says Konzack of the situation in Sweden, where he’d like to race again next year.

Konzack: “I’d love to race in Sweden again”

Konzack continued: “The agreement with the club was that I’d take part in a one-off race; everything’s still up in the air for the winter. I’d definitely like to race in Sweden again, but travelling to England just doesn’t work for me at the moment. With the flights and everything else, it’s not financially viable.”

With the upcoming major races, including the U19European Individual Championships final in early September in Krško and the German Championship races, Konzack can put himself forward for further opportunities in the leagues and is heading into these decisive races with a healthy dose of self-confidence, which he has, amongst other things, drawn from his experience in Debrecen. “I’m feeling good at the moment and I know what I’m capable of – and that it’s possible to beat anyone. That’s why I’m approaching it relatively relaxed, giving it my all and then seeing what the outcome is in the end.”

Results, Debrecen City Prize race (H):