FIM SPEEDWAY: GERMAN RACER GRUNWALD LIFTS FIM WOMEN’S SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP IN CROATIA
German sensation Hannah Grunwald cemented her spot as the sport’s top female rider after winning the FIM Women’s Speedway World Cup in Croatia on Saturday afternoon, July 4.
Grunwald topped the podium ahead of compatriot Celina Liebmann in second, with Slovakian talent Anna Hajkova third and Australia’s Tayla Street taking fourth place in the final.
It was a second straight victory for Grunwald at the Speedway Stadion Milenium in Donji Kraljevec, former home of the FIM Speedway GP of Croatia. But this is the first time women’s speedway’s premier competition has been contested as a World Cup – one grade below world-championship status – with the competition promoted from Gold Trophy level by the FIM for 2026.
The FIM Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy was also staged, but this time for 250cc riders aged under 16, with Ipswich-based Great Britain racer Demi-Blu Harris powering to victory with a 12-point, four-ride maximum.
The two competitions were the culmination of a two-day FIM Women’s Speedway Academy, which saw women from nine different countries hone their skills on and off the bike, with coaching from former Speedway GP winner Matej Zagar, plus FIM Track Racing Commission director Armando Castagna, FIM Speedway race director Phil Morris and FIM Long Track race director Glen Phillips.
Grunwald has enjoyed an incredible 12 months, having become the first female FIM Speedway world champion as Germany won 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations – SON2 gold in Torun last October. While she was a non-riding member of the squad that day, she took to the track in Czech capital Prague and followed that up with three points as Germany took 2026 SON2 bronze on May 22.
Grunwald, who races for German club Landshut in Poland’s National League, was delighted to add the FIM Women’s Speedway World Cup to her rapidly growing CV following another successful academy event in Croatia.
She said: “It’s hard to believe, but the two-day academy and today’s race are over again. I was able to try a lot of new things and gain new experiences. Then standing at the top of the podium today just makes you happy.
The title defence is very successful. I am very proud of myself and my team.
“Thank you to everyone who organised all this and to those who accompanied me this far. A huge thank you also goes to my sponsors, fans and to my family.”
It was a tense showdown between Germany’s finest as 2023 Gold Trophy winner Liebmann defeated Grunwald in heat two, only for the reigning champion to repay the compliment in race 12, leaving them deadlocked on 11 points apiece going into the final.
Grunwald came out on top when it mattered most, with Liebmann forced to settle for the silver medal for a second straight season.
Liebmann said: “I went into the meeting with the goal to claim first place and the gold medal again. Unfortunately, I didn’t reach it, but I rode three times against Hannah. I won one time, and she won two times.
“It was just a matter of the start in the final, and in the heats before. Of course, I am not really overwhelmed with second place, but I am still second in the world, and Hannah is a really good rider. We are equal riders, but the best one on the start line will win the race.
“We had a really good two days in the academy with great coaches. They gave us a lot of advice. We had a new coach in Matej Zagar and new inspiration and another way of looking on our racing. The coaches gave me some advice I had never heard, so I was really happy.
“We tried some different engines and had the chance to try a lot. We rode cones and did start practice. This was really, really helpful.
“I just want to thank everyone who is involved in this academy because it’s purely amazing what they do for us. All in all, I am happy to go home with silver.”
It was a close battle for the final podium place as Hajkova built on a very promising fifth place in 2025 to claim the World Cup bronze medal, scoring 10 points from four rides, before taking third place in the final on a day when only Grunwald and Liebmann got the better of her. Hajkova said: “I think the race was really great. It wasn’t so easy because the competition was strong, but we made it. My bike was fast enough, and I am really happy I got to experience the academy and earned third place.”
Victorian racer Street also climbed the ladder, reaching the final with nine points, before taking fourth spot – an improvement on the sixth place she achieved in Croatia last year. Denmark’s Louise Funch-Larsen, fourth in 2025, just missed the final cut on eight, taking fifth overall.
British shooting star Harris continued her dominance of the 250cc category. After powering to a 12-point, four-ride maximum in the Youth Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy of Croatia in 2025, she repeated that performance to land the 2026 FIM Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy – her first official FIM championship win.
A year of hard work on and off the track, including practise sessions after Ipswich Witches matches at Foxhall, has helped her continue her progress.
Harris said: “It was good. I enjoyed riding with all the other girls – they pushed me hard. Thanks to everyone in Croatia, especially Darija (Pavlic), for putting this event on.
“I really enjoyed my racing today! It was great to be involved in some strong, competitive races that pushed me all day. I had to work hard in every race, stay focused, and keep looking for opportunities to improve my speed.
“The competition was tough, which made it even more enjoyable, and I loved the challenge of having to give 100 percent every time I went out on track. It was a brilliant day of racing, plenty of learning, and lots of fun alongside great riders. I am looking forward to the next one!”
Runner-up Chapman said: “I had a great time riding and really enjoyed being out on track with my friends. Throughout the day, I worked hard on improving my speed by trying different riding techniques and lines around the track. I focused on finding new ways to carry more momentum and make smoother, faster laps.
“One of the highlights was being able to overtake other riders, which showed that the changes I was making were helping. Each lap gave me a chance to learn something new and build my confidence. Most importantly, I had lots of fun, enjoyed riding with my friends, and came away feeling like I had improved my skills and speed.”
FIM WOMEN’S SPEEDWAY WORLD CUP HEAT SCORES:
1. Hannah Grunwald (Germany) 11
2. Celina Liebmann (Germany) 11
3. Anna Hajkova (Slovakia) 10
4. Tayla Street (Australia) 9
5. Louise Funch-Larsen (Denmark) 8
6. Martyna Mroz (Poland) 6
7. Nynke Sijbesma (Netherlands) 6
8. Sanne Meijerink (Netherlands) 5
9. Alina Zimmermann (Germany) 3
10. Chanell Lekander (Sweden) 1
11. Katja Stoffer Jorgensen (Denmark) DNR.
FINAL: Grunwald, Liebmann, Hajkova, Street.
FIM WOMEN’S SPEEDWAY GOLD TROPHY RESULT:
1. Demi Blu Harris (Great Britain) 12
2. Ruby Chapman (Australia) 7
3. Lenja Tebbe (Germany) 4
4. Indra Holmsten-Bister (Sweden) 1
