Danish racer Villads Nagel is determined to build on a strong start to his FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship series at the 2026 Sportlab Cosmetics FIM SGP2 of Poland – Lodz on Friday (18:00 CEST start).
Nagel lines up on his Polish home track, where he competes for Orzel Lodz in the Metalkas 2. Ekstraliga. The former SGP3 silver medallist hopes to make the most of his local knowledge and build on the third place he achieved at round one – the 2026 BST FIM SGP2 of Sweden – Malilla on July 10.
He said: “We started off well, and I am looking forward to what we can do in the rest of the series. It’s my Polish home track coming up, so I am looking for a top-three finish here as well.
“I can’t really say anything too early. I don’t want to disappoint myself. I am definitely looking for a win, but I am always going for a win.”
Nagel can’t wait to line up in Lodz and believes fans can expect entertainment. He added: “It’s a nice place. I have raced here a few times. I have been going well and scoring some good points and having some good races. I am looking forward to Friday.
“I think we can expect very good racing. It’s a really nice racing track if people really use it. It has great potential for passing and proper racing, so I think there will be good racing.
“I think we should look forward to it. I just hope everyone comes to the stadium and has a great night with the under-21 riders. I am hoping for a good crowd and some good people.”
Nagel hopes to head into the SGP2 title decider at Danish track Vojens on September 11 in a position of strength.
He said: “I am looking forward to that. The track is not really my cup of tea, but it’s in Denmark, so I have been racing there a lot. Hopefully I can get a gold medal in SGP2, but if not, a top-three finish would be sweet.”
Nagel’s title hopes have been boosted by the withdrawal of Polish shooting star Wiktor Przyjemski from the Lodz round due to injuries sustained in the Polish Under-21 Championship Final last Saturday.
Przyjemski, an SGP2 champion in 2024, topped the standings after winning the Malilla round, with Denmark’s Mikkel Andersen second, Nagel third and another Danish star William Drejer placed fourth.
Nagel is just four points off top spot but admits he would much rather be battling Przyjemski for junior speedway’s biggest prize.
He said: “Of course, you don’t want anyone to be injured. But it is speedway and sometimes this happens.
“When I broke my collarbone in Poland, I was looking at the schedule, and when I saw I had an SGP2 qualifier one and a half weeks after, I was thinking, ‘Damn! This is not going to be good.’ But obviously I made it.
“I wish Wiktor a speedy recovery and I hope he is back soon. I want to race with the best guys. If I am standing with a gold medal in the end and no Wiktor, of course I would be world champion, but I want to race with the best of the best. I hope he gets back fast and is okay.”
While Przyjemski misses out, new Polish Under-21 champion Maksymilian Pawelczak flies the home flag, along with Kevin Malkiewicz, Antoni Mencel and wild card Antoni Kawczynski.
2026 SPORTLAB COSMETICS FIM SGP2 OF POLAND – LODZ LINE-UP (in ranking order with rider numbers):
911. Janek Konzack (Germany – substitute for 505. Wiktor Przyjemski)
97. Mikkel Andersen (Denmark)
121. Maksymilian Pawelczak (Poland)
802. Kevin Malkiewicz (Poland)
108. Villads Nagel (Denmark)
545. William Drejer (Denmark)
145. Will Cairns (Great Britain)
79. Adam Bubba Bednar (Czech Republic)
305. Antoni Mencel (Poland)
27. Mitch McDiarmid (Australia)
173. Beau Bailey (Australia)
63. Nicolai Heiselberg (Denmark)
99. Rasmus Karlsson (Sweden)
138. Sven Cerjak (Slovenia)
28. Slater Lightcap (USA)
16. Antoni Kawczynski (Poland – wild card)
17. Kacper Halkiewicz (Poland – first track reserve)
18. Radoslaw Kowalski (Poland – second track reserve
LODZ FANZONE
Be part of the action ahead of the opening racing of the weekend and visit the Sportlab Cosmetics FIM SGP2 of Poland – Lodz fanzone on Friday.
The fanzone will be open in the area behind bends three and four at the Moto Arena Lodz from 14:00 CEST, and it features the official SGP2 autograph session, where fans can meet all 18 riders from 15:30 and get some signatures or selfies.
Win exclusive Speedway GP prizes in our quiz on the big screen at 14:30 CEST. We will have an interview with special VIP guests from 16:45.
Pose for a photo with the SGP2 trophy throughout the afternoon and grab a selfie with FIM Speedway mascot Speedy at 16:00.
There will be a vintage speedway bikes exhibition, other photo opportunities, the We Love Speedway sign, food and drink stalls, the Speedway GP merchandise shop and much, much more. The fanzone closes at 17:30 ahead of the opening ceremony at 17:45, with racing getting underway at around 18:00.