Danish racer Leon Madsen is determined to “fight for a medal” in 2027 as he battles for Speedway GP qualification on two fronts.
The former world No.2 has two possible routes into next year’s World Championship – by finishing in this season’s SGP top seven or by winning the Speedway European Championship.
Second place at last Saturday’s Deluxe Homeart FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens puts him fifth in the World Championship on 90 points – just one ahead of Max Fricke, Kacper Woryna and Patryk Dudek, who are all tied on 89 in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively in a tight qualification tussle.
Madsen also heads into round three of the Speedway European Championship in Rzeszow tonight tied on 24 points with compatriot Michael Jepsen Jensen at the top of the SEC standings.
The European champion is guaranteed a spot in Speedway GP for next year, with the SEC series reaching its climax at Czech track Pardubice on October 2.
Madsen is keen to secure his SGP spot six days earlier at the DEWALT FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Torun next Saturday.
He said: “It’s very tight around the top seven in the standings now, and all points are crucial. I knew I had to have a good night in Vojens, and I managed to do that. Eighteen points is very good. Hopefully I can go to Torun, have another good meeting and end the season in a good position.
“Hopefully I can come back next year and be better prepared when the season starts. I want to get back up the top and fight for a medal. I think I still have it in me. I really want to do my best to stay in the GP for next season and come back stronger.”
Madsen is excited for a final-round thriller in Torun, which also sees series leader Robert Lambert (142 points), six-time world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik (141) and Aussie ace Brady Kurtz (139) go for Speedway GP World Championship gold, with just three points separating them after Vojens.
“It’s super tight,” Madsen said. “We have two great battles at the last meeting – for the World Championship, silver and bronze, and also the top seven. I would have preferred to be in Robert’s position, but he is very, very fast lately and he is doing a great job. He has a good chance to finish it off in Torun, but it’s going to be a tough battle for sure.”
Madsen would have loved to add to his 2023 Vojens victory last Saturday but was content with second spot in a GP that was curtailed due to heavy rain after 20 heats.
He said: “I feel good. I am happy about the points I gained in the overall standings, so that was important. Honestly, I would have liked to race the final and get another home win for the crowd. I think it was possible, but after all the heavy rain, I think it was the right move to call it off.
“All meeting, we had a pretty decent racing track, considering the rain we had. Hats off to the track team and (Vojens boss) Jacob Olsen for that.”