FIM Speedway GP 2024 World Championship
Round 3 – FIM Speedway GP Germany – Landshut
Danish star Mikkel Michelsen admitted “It’s nice to get my mojo back” after defying his mental battles to finish his quest for FIM Speedway Grand Prix victory at Germany’s Trans MF FIM Speedway GP – Landshut on Saturday.
Michelsen finished the 20 GP Circuit race without making a final appearance in spectacular fashion, as he made an impressive start to beat runner-up Bartosz Zmarzlik, Jack Holder in third and fourth was Dominik Kubera in the final.
Despite winning his third European Speedway championship in 2023, Michelsen struggled to find his best form in Speedway GP.
But after a winter of hard work with both man and machine, including working with Polish sports psychologist Grzegorz Więcław on his mental approach, Michelsen was elated. as he received his reward on an unforgettable night at a sold-out OneSolar Arena.
Mikkel Michelsen
“I haven’t been in the best mental state this past year. It’s something we worked hard on over the winter and now it’s paying off. I feel much more confident and comfortable when I put on my racing suit and get on the bike. Something was missing and it was nice to have my joy back. I just need to keep working hard and hope it pays off. It has been a tumultuous year and a half, grappling with many different issues. It definitely didn’t work out the way I wanted it to. It was not an easy night in Landshut. We had a lot of problems during the race. But it was nice to have a night where everything went the way I wanted it to. I’m quite excited.”
Michelsen overcame a difficult stage 3 to have a lightning start that helped him lead the final. “Gate three was a nightmare all night,” he said. “I knew we needed to play around a bit with the setup to try and see if we could get the most out of it. I came out of the gate normally and I saw Jack had a good start from gate one. I knew if I didn’t corner him a little bit then the fight would be over.
“I just tried to control the race. I may have raced a little wide, but I was excited and I just wanted to get that win. I’m extremely happy and I don’t know how to describe it.”
Landshut hosted its first Speedway GP since 6 July 1997, when another Danish star, four-time FIM Speedway world champion Hans Nielsen, topped the podium. None of the 2024 SGPs have raced a round of Speedway GP at OneSolar Arena before, and few of them have regularly visited the Bavarian venue.
It’s a challenge Zmarzlik is delighted to take on as he takes the lead in the 2024 Speedway GP World Championship with 50 points – putting him two points ahead of Lublin team-mate Holder.
Zmarzlik, who also finished second at the Orlen FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw last Saturday, said: “I am very happy to be standing on the podium again and for me that is the most important thing. The final is the final and I think a lot of the racing is very exciting for the fans. It was a good night for everyone. The last time I came here was about four or five years ago. Every time I go to a new track or a track I don’t go to often, I feel the most excited. It was a new inspiration for me because I had to find a good setup and I loved it. I really like it when it makes you think. I’m happy with second place and I’m proud of my team. They did some really hard work for me. Congratulations to all the boys in the final.”
Holder remains second in the Speedway GP standings after taking third place in Landshut. With eight laps to go, he is bracing himself for an epic title showdown with Zmarzlik.
Jack Keeper
“I hope he’s ready. I am ready. He’s been at his best for years – he’s not a four-time world champion for no reason. I raced with him in the U21 World Championship and he beat me in all of them as well as in the GPs. But thanks to him because it raised my level. I want to beat him; everyone does it. The target is on his back.”
SGP action continues with the Orlen FIM Speedway GP of the Czech Republic – Prague on June 1 as Marketa Stadium hosts the record-breaking 30th Speedway GP event.
Round 3 – German FIM Speedway GP – Landshut – Results
Round three
Photos by Jarek Pabijan and Taylor Lanning
