Six former Speedway GP riders took a step closer to returning to the World Championship after advancing in the Speedway European Championship qualification rounds on Saturday.
Polish star Pawel Przedpelski, an SGP regular in 2022, won the qualifier at Austrian track Mureck on 14 points to secure his spot in the SEC Challenge at Italian club Lonigo on June 13.
Joining him are Czech sensation Adam Bubba Bednar, who finished second on 13, with his compatriot Jan Kvech rounding out the day’s podium on 12.
Former world No.3 Maciej Janowski took a step closer to an SGP return, finishing fourth on 11, with Swedish international Timo Lahti taking the final place on 11 points.
Denmark’s Jonas Knudsen fell just short on 10 points, with Great Britain’s Leon Flint missing out with nine. SON2 world champion Norick Blodorn and Ukrainian international Stanislav Melnychuk didn't make it on eight apiece.
Meanwhile, former Danish champion Rasmus Jensen was victorious in a run-off to win the day’s other qualifier at Stralsund in Germany.
Jensen defeated former SGP winner Piotr Pawlicki and his brother Przemyslaw Pawlicki, who finished second and third respectively, with all three riders progressing to the SEC Challenge.
ATPI FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Manchester wild card Tom Brennan qualified on 11 points along with 2022 FIM SGP Challenge winner Kim Nilsson.
Czech racer Vaclav Milik missed the cut on 10, with German international Kevin Wolbert and double Swedish champion Jacob Thorssell falling short on nine apiece. Norway’s Mathias Pollestad scored eight points.
The final five SEC Challenge qualifiers will be decided at French track Lamothe-Landerron on May 16.