FIM SPEEDWAY: DANISH STAR THOMSEN FEARED SPEEDWAY GP RUN WAS OVER BEFORE CELEBRATING MAGICAL MALILLA WIN

Danish racer Anders Thomsen says he feared his FIM Speedway Grand Prix days were behind him after storming to a sensational 2026 BST FIM Speedway GP of Sweden – Malilla victory on Saturday, July 11.
Starting from gate four, Thomsen faced the daunting challenge of having the Speedway GP World Championship’s top three on his inside for his first Speedway GP final since he won the FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Gorzow on June 25, 2022.
But with Great Britain star Robert Lambert, Polish icon Bartosz Zmarzlik and Aussie ace Brady Kurtz warring on the inside line going into bend one, Thomsen cleared off for a famous victory as Malilla’s Skrotfrag Arena staged its 20th Speedway GP event.
The triple Danish champion enjoyed the podium celebrations, before getting back on his bike to take his trademark victory laps in his underwear – a cheeky celebration last witnessed at Gorzow’s Edward Jancarz Stadium four years ago.
Thomsen’s victory puts him 10th in the Speedway GP World Championship on 50 points – just five short of injured Aussie racer Jack Holder, who occupies the seventh and final automatic qualification place for 2027 on 55.

If Speedway GP first substitute rider Thomsen, who was covering for injured Great Britain star Dan Bewley in Malilla, races the final four rounds of this year, he stands every chance of earning a spot in next season’s series.

Malilla top trio Anders Thomsen (centre), Robert Lambert (left) and Bartosz Zmarzlik (right). PHOTO: Marcin Karczewski

That would be an incredible outcome for a rider who feared his Speedway GP career was over when he lost his spot in the series last year. He said: “I am really glad that I am not finished yet in the GP – I thought it was over. I just went into the meeting without pressure. I just said to the boys, ‘Let’s go have some fun, and let’s see what happens.’
“Bartek and Robert were fighting on the inside gates in the final. Bartek was close to Robert, and I had a clear race on the outside in the dirt. Luckily, I got a good setup that was working in the dirt. It was great to be back in the final. When you get into the final, anything can happen.”
Thomsen certainly took the opportunity to push his case for a full-time place in the 2027 Speedway GP series. “Of course, this is the way to sell yourself,” he said. “This is the GP, and it is pretty tough to be consistent because there are many different tracks, and there are riders here who are so damn good and always on a really high level. It’s going to be tough, but if I keep relaxed like I did here, maybe it can be better for me.”
Thomsen couldn’t leave Malilla without sending a 9,200-plus crowd wild with his famous victory laps in his underwear. It’s a celebration he hopes fans will be able to see more often. “I kept my promise!” he said. “If I win next time, I am going to do it again.”

Great Britain racer Robert Lambert took second spot in Malilla. PHOTO: Taylor Lanning

Thomsen’s final flourish denied Lambert a sensational Speedway GP maximum – a feat last achieved when Danish racer Leon Madsen won the FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Torun over seven rides on October 5, 2019.
But the double FIM Speedway of Nations world champion was still delighted to leave Malilla with second spot and 18 championship points, tightening his grip on third place in the standings as he moved on to 81 – 17 behind leader Zmarzlik, who has 98, with Kurtz on 93 in second.
Lambert said: “I wasn’t expecting to get a maximum throughout the whole meeting. It was nice to be straight through to the final because it’s the first time under the new format that I have been in that situation.
“It was a nice experience to be able to relax for a little while. But you are thinking a lot in that time – what to do in the final and which gate is the best option. Gates one and two were a 50/50 chance throughout the whole meeting and even in the LCQs. It was a hard decision, but I did my best, and second place is still great for me.”

Speedway GP leader Bartosz Zmarzlik embraces good friend and Malilla winner Thomsen. PHOTO: Taylor Lanning

Third-placed Zmarzlik paid tribute to his former Gorzow teammate Thomsen on the night Poland’s finest extended his Speedway GP World Championship lead over fourth-placed Kurtz to five points.
The Lublin and Lejonen star said: “Big congratulations to Anders and Robert; they did an amazing job. I am happy because I was in the final again. It was a tough meeting again for me, but a podium is a podium – I always say this.
“Anders and Robert were too fast for me. Anders was the best in the final, and I am happy for him. He is my good friend. We were together for a lot of years in Gorzow, and I have many good memories with him.”
Zmarzlik and his SGP rivals now look forward to round seven at new Polish Speedway GP venue Lodz on Saturday, August 1, and the weekend gets started with the FIM SGP2 of Poland – Lodz – round two of the 2026 FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship on Friday, July 31.