ADMIRATION FOR BARTOSZ ZMARZLIK IN DRAMATIC SCENES AT WROCLAW, POLAND
By Dennis Newlyn:
Defending and six times World Speedway Champion Bartosz Zmarzlik came away with more than a win in the dramatic SGP round five at Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday, June 20.
He earned the admiration of everyone following the stand he took against an earlier start to the water-logged fixture in the best interest of rider safety.
Torrential rain delayed the commencement of the event for over two and a half hours. With a break in the weather, FIM Speedway Grand Prix (SGP) Race Director Phil Morris, FIM personnel and track officials decided racing could begin.
That’s when Bartosz intervened, rallied the riders together in a protest meeting voicing their disapproval of a start and took his case to all FIM representation in a show of strength and support for the riders.
It displayed a quality in Bartosz that was more than admirable.
Bartosz won his point in straight sets and another wait occurred until weather conditions further abated.
The local fire fighters also rallied to the cause and pumped access water from the surrounding pit bays. Bartosz Zmarzlik’s hastilly called protest meeting was more than justified.
As it was, the race fixture was not free of incident – the worst crash occurred in heat seven which has left Australian Champion Jack Holder facing a spell on the sidelines. Jack’s dad’s Mick Holder sent a text to this website and Facebook platform advising “I spoke with him (Jack) yesterday. He has fractures to the left Humerus and right ankle.”
Holder’s Sheffield club also issued the following press statement:
“SHEFFIELD No.1 Jack Holder is facing a spell on the sidelines following a heavy crash in Saturday’s FIM Speedway GP of Poland. The Aussie ace was the innocent party in a domino effect, first turn incident in Heat Seven – and is now set to undergo surgery on a broken arm.”
Australia’s former World Champion Jason Doyle also was a part of the high speed crash, that also involved Poland’s Kacper Woryuna. Doyle has been left battered and bruised following the incident.
Bartosz now leads the World Speedway Championship by three points over Australia’s Brady Kurtz. Round six of the SGP will be held at Malilla, Sweden on July 11.
