Great Britain talent Cooper Rushen admits competing in Friday’s FIM SGP3 Final – Prague only inspires him to chase his FIM Speedway Grand Prix dream.
As part of their vision to promote and develop speedway’s next generation of stars, the FIM Speedway Youth World Championship was rebranded as SGP3 by FIM Speedway global promoter Warner Bros. Discovery Sports in 2022, with the sport’s 250cc, under-16 championship now staged as part of a Speedway GP World Championship weekend.
Sixteen riders from 10 different countries – Czechia, Slovakia, Great Britain, Poland, Denmark, Australia, the United States, Slovenia, Germany and Ukraine – battle it out in the Czech capital just 24 hours before Marketa Stadium hosts a record-breaking 31st FIM Speedway GP of Czech Republic – Prague on Saturday night.
Before the sport’s elite take to the track, the storied venue plays host to a galaxy of shooting stars in the FIM SGP3 Final. The world’s biggest 250cc event is renowned for delivering some of the most exciting FIM Speedway action of the season, and it also plays a key role in inspiring the next generation to pursue their dream of riding in Speedway GP in the years to come.
Rushen won FIM SGP3 Semi-Final 1 at former FIM Slovenian Speedway GP venue Krsko last Saturday, and now he can’t wait to take his place on one of the sport’s most famous racetracks.
He said: “I think that’s what’s great about SGP3. It makes you want more in the sport. You get to these Speedway GP events and you think, ‘This could be me full-time one day.’ For us youngsters, that’s what we want to achieve.
“The experience is unreal and it’s unmatchable. It’s always great. Everyone wants to win the racing but being there is just incredible. It’s an experience you will never forget, especially at this age.”
Rushen faces stiff competition for the FIM SGP3 crown from a host of talented teenagers, including Australia’s Beau Bailey – runner-up in the 2024 FIM SGP3 Final – Gorzow and winner of Semi-Final 2 with a 15-point maximum in Krsko last Saturday.
The Prague event also features two former winners of the FIM Speedway Youth World Cup (SGP4) for 190cc riders aged 11-13, which has gained world-championship status for 2025. Denmark’s 2023 champion Elias Jamil Jensen and 2024 winner Brady Landon from the United States, who makes his FIM SGP3 Final debut, could both be among the frontrunners on Friday.
Denmark’s Villads Pedersen – fourth in Gorzow last year – is also being tipped to push for the podium, along with Slovenian prospect Sven Cerjak and Polish racer Maksymilian Kostera, who is bidding to succeed his compatriot, 2024 FIM SGP3 gold medallist Maksymilian Pawelczak, as champion. The Czech flag will be flown by Adam Nejezchleba and Karel Prusa.
Rushen is expecting a great battle for gold. He said: “I saw the line-up and it’s definitely a very strong one. But that’s what makes it so exciting.
“It’s always going to be tough when you’re riding against these boys, but we’ll give it a shot. I will give it all I’ve got; that’s all I can do. Hopefully everything goes to plan.
“A lot of things can happen, and we will just take the meeting as it goes and ride the rollercoaster. Hopefully I can get a medal. But just to be there is great and we will keep learning from that. We’ll take something out of it – that’s for sure.”
Rushen races in his last 250cc meeting in Prague as he has already progressed on to the 500cc senior bike – racing in Britain’s National Development League for Leicester and the National Development Trophy for King’s Lynn.
He admits competing in the SGP3 250cc class has made his transition towards professional racing much smoother.
Rushen said: “It’s the end of my 250cc era and it has definitely been an exciting one. It has taken us all around the globe. It has been an amazing experience. After Saturday, we move on to the next level of my career.
“It has been very, very busy recently on the 500s, but going from the 250s has definitely helped loads. It allows you to learn clutching and where to sit on the seat etc. Going from a 125cc bike to a 500 is a massive jump. Riding a 250 has helped massively.
“Moving on to a 500 is another stage of learning. These bikes are a little bit different to the 250s. They have a bit more power. But I am learning setups and finding out what’s right and wrong. We’ll see where that journey takes us now.”
Like all of his SGP3 rivals, Rushen admits he couldn’t have achieved 250cc success without the support of a close team of family, friends and sponsors as he criss-crosses the continent to compete.
He said: “I want to say a massive thank you to the people who got me here. I am out here in Prague with Cambridge Vehicle Services, who is a massive supporter for us. You’ll see him on TV on Friday!
“I want to say a massive thank you to my sponsors. Go to my Instagram - @CooperRushen - to check them out and give them some support. I couldn’t be here without them, and a massive thanks to my dad and my family for putting in all the time and effort. Speedway is a mentally and physically draining sport for everyone around you, so I couldn’t do it without them.”
Tickets for the FIM SGP3 Final – Prague are still available online. Book yours HERE now. Fans can also secure their spot at Saturday’s FIM Speedway GP of Czech Republic – Prague HERE.
FIM SGP3 FINAL – PRAGUE LINE-UP
1. Maksymilian Kostera (Poland)
2. Adam Nejezchleba (Czechia)
3. Villads Pedersen (Denmark)
4. Beau Bailey (Australia)
5. Brady Landon (United States)
6. Nate Smith (Australia)
7. Nicolas Hohlbein (United States)
8. Gregor Zorko (Slovenia)
9. Sven Cerjak (Slovenia)
10. Carlos Gennerich (Germany)
11. Makar Levishyn (Ukraine)
12. Janek Konzack (Germany)
13. Marek Ziman (Slovakia)
14. Elias Jamil Jensen (Denmark)
15. Karel Prusa (Czechia)
16. Cooper Rushen (Great Britain)
RESERVE
17. Petr Marek (Czechia)