Danish racer Leon Madsen insisted “I am coming back to fight for the championship” as he makes his FIM Speedway Grand Prix comeback in 2026.
Madsen received a wild card for the FIM SGP Challenge in Holsted, Denmark on August 9 and took full advantage by finishing third to punch his return ticket to Speedway GP after a year’s absence.
The Zielona Gora rider was named as this season’s Speedway GP first substitute but will be guaranteed a place in every round next year. And the two-time SGP silver medallist intends to take full advantage.
He said: “If I am in the GP, I want to be there to fight for the championship, for the top three and the medals. I feel I still have it, and I am even hungrier than ever, so watch me next year – I am going to come back with full power.
“I am coming for it. I will do everything I can. I am not coming back into the GP just to be a regular guy. I am coming back to fight for the championship and to be up there at the top.
“That’s where I want to be; otherwise, I don’t want to be in the GP. I am getting too old to just fill a place. I am coming back fully focused next year, determined to do a good job, and ready to challenge for top spot.”
While most Speedway GP first substitutes usually race half a season or more in the series, Madsen has competed in just one round so far this year – replacing Aussie ace Jason Doyle at the FIM Speedway GP of Czech Republic – Prague.
The four-time Speedway GP winner finished third at Marketa Stadium and could have been forgiven for being disappointed with his lack of opportunities in 2025. But Madsen didn’t just want to sit around and wait for an SGP call-up. The 36-year-old said: “Everybody said, ‘You will get some rides.’ I didn’t want to think about that. I just wanted to focus on getting back into the GP. I don’t care about one or two meetings – I am too old for that.”
Whether or not Madsen is called up for the final two 2025 Speedway GP rounds in Wroclaw on August 30 or Vojens on September 13, he’s delighted to know he is back in the big time for 2026.
He said: “I just want to celebrate and enjoy this. It has been a long season on the sidelines, watching the GPs. In one sense, it has been nice to have those relaxed Saturdays. But on the other side, I have been missing it so much. I feel like I should have had a wild card for this year.
“I have proved over the last five or six years that I belong in the GP and, because of some personal issues last year, I was struggling. But I have proved to everyone that I belong there. When I had the chance in Prague, I got on the podium. In the Speedway European Championship series, the leagues and everywhere, I am doing well.
“I still had to deliver and do the job in Holsted, but I managed to do it. I had great support from my family and my team. Everyone has worked so hard and it’s a big relief. I am so happy, and that’s for my two girls, Marika and Manuela.”