FIM SPEEDWAY: DUDEK: I’M BACK!

Polish star Patryk Dudek says he’s back after stepping up his 2027 qualification bid with second place at the FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Lodz.

Dudek heads into Saturday’s DEWALT FIM Speedway of Latvia – Riga placed fifth in the standings on 69 points after climbing four places when he collected second spot and 18 points at the Moto Arena Lodz last Saturday (August 1).

The top seven riders are guaranteed automatic qualification for 2027, and the Torun man is now seven points clear of Max Fricke in eighth spot.

Dudek is also level on 14 points with Leon Madsen at the top of the Speedway European Championship standings. If the Pole retains the SEC crown he won in 2025, that would also secure his SGP status for another year.

The former world number two was elated to top the heat score chart in Lodz and reach his first final of 2026. He said: “I feel great because I knew I needed the points for the standings. I am fighting for the top seven this year, so for me, it was a very good night. Being in the top five now is okay for me.

“I had a tough start to this season, but I think I am back. This day for me was great. It was a beautiful day, and I hope it will be the same this weekend.”