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As harsh as this sounds, you chose the wrong event if you wanted an atmosphere, I think people need to realise what events to go to and not to go to in Poland. League matches (especially derbies) should be on a bucket list, next, any SGP event in Poland (worst is Warsaw, you want a club based one) and then next would be the Polish individual / SWC, last on the list would have been SoN. Im glad you enjoyed your weekend though and it didn’t ruin it, it’s a lovely country with nice people and great food 👌🏻I hope you do decide to go back and maybe visit a better event!

Tom Brennan resigned with Bydgoszcz until 2027.

Well, we got back to the UK last night after attending this. The flight and hotel we stayed in were great. Torun was a nice little place and we had a good look around on the Sunday. The disappointment was the event itself - no, not the racing as we enjoyed that. It's always better to be there live and the stadium was great from a viewing and noise perspective. We thought the crowd would have been bigger, given this is meant to be the place that many think all other speedway nations should look up to but it was only half full. The 'fanzone' was tiny with little in the way of interesting content. We were not offered any programmes or race sheets and didn't see any for sale anywhere. Navigating to our seats was not straightforward either. The centre green announcer was obviously partisan for Poland and he tried his best to get the Poles involved, which worked but we couldn't hear the english announcements/interviews. The catering was awful but that didn't matter as we'd eaten beforehand. Overall, it was the organisation, signposting and management of spectators which was poor and nowhere near as polished/professional as Cardiff for example and even Belle Vue. We do these events much better in the UK. For the meeting itself there were some good battles, Freddie got owned by Zmarzlik in one race and cost the Swedes points as he didn't look for his partner once I don't think. Zmarzlik fell on purpose at the start of one race to get a re-run and iDudek did the same in the semi - Denmark were really unfortunate not to make the final. Looking in slow-motion does not show what we all saw in the stadium. As for the final it was great to see Australia do a number on the Poles and whilst I'm no fan of Holder, Kurtz again proved he's the best rider in the world this year. So, will we go back to Poland for another event - probably not. Prices are cheap and Eastern Europe makes for good breaks/holidays but we won't be basing any future visit around speedway.

“Laguta back 2035 😂”

Poorest meeting I've seen there. Usually a good standard at Redcar.

what has Laguta said?

Indeed. Has to be positive surely.

Been badly run for 25+ years - disaster after disaster the only good times they had in that period was under Mandaric whose passing was annouced very recently. However I am convinced it will be sorted. Tom still listed as riding so lets hope he is fit and we really want 14 club riders and no appearance from Mr Harris even tho i love him as a rider! May the best team win over 2 legs! My preference is for the Witches but my 2nd choise was the Lions so if they do prevail well done to them!

I'm expecting Fricke, Michelsen and Becker.

Maybe but that had nothing to do with last night's crash, none of the GP boys were in that heat, he had made a good start and was in complete control of the race. Just a big slice of bad luck, it happens.

Curtain down on the NL season at Iwade and time to say well done to Messrs Graveling and Gray for bringing speedway back to South East. Thanks also to all those volunteers who helped make it happen.

Being self employed doesn’t prevent riders being on or off a list of those who agree to a statutory & all inclusive “guest pay rate” - The challenge would be to get all promotions to abide by the associated rules & not to try work arounds. Which of course some will, especially those with little business acumen, and or their own vested interests over that of the sport.

Tom has posted on X a few times this morning, but no mention of his fitness...

I think its more likely because it just not a very good speedway track nowadays. Used to be very good but that was some time ago (20 years plus).

Agreed he was stepping his game up to compete with the Grand Prix riders. As he matures he maybe needs to know when he can ease off the throttle a bit, especially with the modern bikes prone to lifting like that

I think Tom is a key rider at Leicester, he may be feeling a bit second hand but I am sure it would have been announced by now if he wasnt ok to ride.

Certainly wasn't 'overdoing it' but was unfortunate to pick up some unexpected grip coming out of turn two while leading. Was a real shame as he was riding splendidly up to that point and had beaten all three of Gorzow's GP men in their own back yard.

No certainty for Bydgoszcz in 2026- some strong teams being assembled especially Krosno with Doyle etc.

Exactly. Hopefully he’s ok and there’s nothing in it because we all want to see two full teams. But if he’s not quite there, go with R/R and give him a few days rest to hopefully be back fit on Thursday. I’m sure conversations will have taken place, and Louis will make the right decision.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPcHxEMgFJ2/?igsh=bnZvbTkzOHZkajJk Was a nasty one. Glad to see him at least walk away from it.

No heroes required

Agree. Especially with Dan at reserve who can clock up the rides. We know Dan rides Leicester well. What we can’t afford to do, is have Brennan strapped up and “giving it a go”. He’s our biggest threat in the middle order, and a struggling Brennan pottering around at the back struggling to hang on for a ride or two COULD ultimately cost us a league title. Every point will count here. He needs to be 100% or pretty damn close to it otherwise go with R/R.

We might not miss him that much if the others are on form. Brennan does blow hot and cold. Maybe overriding in Poland last night

11 years ago stal won the title with the likes of Zmarzlik, Iversen,Kasprzak, Zagar… the young boy below celebrating below with his Dad, which I have circled, is a small Oskar Paluch at 8 years old! Last night he was the superstar who saved his dad’s boyhood club. Amazing story!

Well an interesting rumour doing the rounds, Zmarzlik to guest for the Witches tonight, cannot see it myself.