GP line-up for 2026

[Fromafar]

2 hours ago, IainB said:

When you've got a 6 x World Champion whose command of the English language doesn't extend beyond "me big happy" it's no surprise that the promoters want somebody who will guarantee some media coverage with maybe the odd f-bomb dropped in for good measure. If they've got anything about them they'll already have a camera crew following his rehab journey. 

As much as he doesn't deserve to be in it on the form of the last 4 or 5 years he does on the media coverage he'll bring with his comeback from near death... so I think I'm all for it on that basis. 

While you cannot question his achievements in the sport.I cannot agree that his Interviews will be seen as putting the sport in good light with foul mouth replies to Presenters.Marmite character .IMO

[PolskiZuzel]

On 10/6/2025 at 1:05 PM, Pinny said:

Including Woffinden is an absolute joke. 

"Maybe Hans Nielsen would try again, Ole Olsen could get a chance, or Tony Rickardsson would fight Bartosz Zmarzlik for a seventh title?" - reports sportowefakty.pl

It's time to end the wild cards! They distort the essence of the competition. Let's go back to the founding fathers' idea and run the Grand Prix Challenge according to their philosophy. For example, let's let eight riders remain in the series, and all the rest who don't make it will get a chance to compete in the Challenge tournament. We'll also add the other half of the qualifying players.

[szkocjasid]

Apart from Fricke, I don't think there were any other "stonewall" wild card options. Doyle & Vaculik had a few issues with injuries, but still wouldn't have challenged for a top 7 spot. The best non-gp riders made it through already (Madsen, Dudek, Jepsen-Jensen).

With no obvious picks, I would've gone with next in line in GPs / GP challenge, certainly not Woffy.

Fricke - yes

Then 2 or Doyle, Vaculik, Michelsen or Thomsen.

If the organisers are choosing wildcards for clicks & publicity, I'm half surprised they didn't go for Hannah Grunwald along with Woffy 🤭

[chunky]

On 10/6/2025 at 8:44 AM, THE DEAN MACHINE said:

Woffinden ffs I hear Bruce penhall was available 

I thought you were next in line?

[IainB]

13 hours ago, Fromafar said:

While you cannot question his achievements in the sport.I cannot agree that his Interviews will be seen as putting the sport in good light with foul mouth replies to Presenters.Marmite character .IMO

Love him or hate him at least he generates an opinion and the media outlets love that... I can often find myself loving and hating him in the same meeting! Zmarzlik as good as he undoubtedly is adds nothing to Speedway outside of Poland and possibley Sweden.

Edited 16 minutes ago by IainB

[IainB]

9 hours ago, PolskiZuzel said:

It's time to end the wild cards! They distort the essence of the competition. Let's go back to the founding fathers' idea and run the Grand Prix Challenge according to their philosophy. For example, let's let eight riders remain in the series, and all the rest who don't make it will get a chance to compete in the Challenge tournament. We'll also add the other half of the qualifying players.

Also while we're at it let's go back to 1 GP per country and introduce some new audiences

[Fromafar]

9 hours ago, PolskiZuzel said:

"Maybe Hans Nielsen would try again, Ole Olsen could get a chance, or Tony Rickardsson would fight Bartosz Zmarzlik for a seventh title?" - reports sportowefakty.pl

It's time to end the wild cards! They distort the essence of the competition. Let's go back to the founding fathers' idea and run the Grand Prix Challenge according to their philosophy. For example, let's let eight riders remain in the series, and all the rest who don't make it will get a chance to compete in the Challenge tournament. We'll also add the other half of the qualifying players.

Tend to agree with Top 8 stay in bottom 8 in a challenge with Top 8 in Gp Challenge after last Gp.Say top7 go through and 1 wildcard for country holding Gp.

[SPEEDY69]

1 hour ago, Fromafar said:

Tend to agree with Top 8 stay in bottom 8 in a challenge with Top 8 in Gp Challenge after last Gp.Say top7 go through and 1 wildcard for country holding Gp.

Although that only leaves 7 places for new challengers as currently some of the current GP riders opt out of the qualifiers and risk not getting back in, which gives more spots in the challenge meeting for new triers.  Your system gives existing GP riders a backstop which I'm not so keen on.

[CrazyMadTom]

Yes, top 8 into the next years GP, but have qualifier's with no current GP riders and have 3 new faces(at least)  to join, then a GP challenge for the next places(Less 1 if they keep the SEC place)

 

GP challenge line up

Bottom 7 from GP

SGP2 Top 3

6 next from the qualifiers

Edited 32 minutes ago by CrazyMadTom

[MARK246]

2 hours ago, IainB said:

Love him or hate him at least he generates an opinion and the media outlets love that... I can often find myself loving and hating him in the same meeting! Zmarzlik as good as he undoubtedly is adds nothing to Speedway outside of Poland and possibley Sweden.

There is no speedway outside of Poland and Sweden