Polish icon Bartosz Zmarzlik admits he has learned to embrace life in the FIM Speedway Grand Prix limelight as he gets ready for the Orlen Oil FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw this Saturday.
Since the world’s biggest speedway event – raced in front of around 50,000 fans – debuted at PGE Narodowy in 2015, Zmarzlik has made a meteoric rise from relative rookie to become one of the sport’s all-time greats.
With the five-time Speedway GP world champion chasing a record-equalling sixth gold medal this season, he has undoubtedly become one of biggest sporting stars in his homeland.
This comes with a level of attention the relatively shy Zmarzlik has had to adapt to over the years. But the 30-year-old says this is something he embraces as he bids to become Poland’s first-ever Speedway GP winner at PGE Narodowy.
“Every year it’s easier because I understand more about this,” he said. “I know what to do and the attention is a positive because if you don’t like this, what are you doing in the sport?
“I think ‘wow’ sometimes when people come over, and it’s a nice feeling. Sometimes it’s hard, of course. But why not? If other people want something from me, why not open up and give time to these people?
“It is nice because I also do my racing for the people and these people come to the stadium. Everybody is welcome because with no people, there’s no racing.”
There will be no shortage of fans cheering on Zmarzlik, who holds a six-point Speedway GP World Championship lead over Great Britain star Dan Bewley in second spot heading to Warsaw. He is joined in flying the famous white and red flag by Lublin and Lejonen teammate Dominik Kubera, as well as wild card Patryk Dudek.
All three Poles are set to receive huge backing from a partisan Polish crowd, while the international stars will also enjoy plenty of support from fans travelling from all over the world.
But Zmarzlik is keen to focus on his job rather than the noise as he aims to better the second place he achieved at PGE Narodowy in 2024.
“This is, of course, a special meeting,” he said. “But I will go into every meeting like I always do. It doesn’t matter where we go; I always want to do a good job. I always do the best I can.”
Kubera will also be hoping for a big night in Warsaw, having scored two points in the 2024 event and missed the 2023 round at PGE Narodowy due to injury, after crashing in Qualifying.
The tight and technical Warsaw circuit is unique as it is constructed in the week leading up to the event by Danish triple world champion Ole Olsen.
Some riders adapt to the circuit faster than others, and Kubera proved his class on a temporary track when he finished fourth at the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff last August.
The Leszno-born star raced to three fourth places in 2024 and is determined to get back on the SGP podium for the first time since he made his debut as a wild card in the 2021 FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Lublin double-header, finishing second on night one and third on night two.
“Of course, I want to make all the finals and take the trophy,” he said. “One goal for this season is to be in the final and not be the last one. I want to be on the podium like I was in Lublin because I think about it all the time. I want to get this feeling back because it is awesome, and I would love it.”
Tickets for the Orlen Oil FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw are still available online. Secure your spot at PGE Narodowy HERE.
2025 ORLEN OIL FIM SPEEDWAY GP OF POLAND – WARSAW LINE-UP:
95. Bartosz Zmarzlik (Poland)
505. Robert Lambert (Great Britain)
66. Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden)
99. Dan Bewley (Great Britain)
54. Martin Vaculik (Slovakia)
25. Jack Holder (Australia)
155. Mikkel Michelsen (Denmark)
415. Dominik Kubera (Poland)
29. Andzejs Lebedevs (Latvia)
46. Max Fricke (Australia)
744. Kai Huckenbeck (Germany)
201. Jan Kvech (Czech Republic)
69. Jason Doyle (Australia)
105. Anders Thomsen (Denmark)
101. Brady Kurtz (Australia)
16. Patryk Dudek (Poland – wild card)
17. Mateusz Cierniak (Poland – first track reserve)
18. Bartlomiej Kowalski (Poland – second track reserve)
QUALIFYING SHOWDOWN
The first track action of the Warsaw weekend takes place on Friday, with Qualifying getting underway at 15:00 CEST.
A limited number of fans can watch the action at trackside with gates opening at 13:45 CEST. Simply purchase an event programme to gain admission.
This is the second session held under the brand-new knockout format, which kicks off with free practice – with every rider taking two runs of two minutes.
Riders are then drawn into pairs for Q1, which sees them battle a rival head-to-head to set the fastest lap time over 60 seconds. The winner of each Q1 duel advances to Q2, where they face another 60-second showdown.
The winning riders in Q2 make it into the sprint race, where they will compete for Speedway GP World Championship points, with four for the winner, three for second spot, two for third and one for fourth place. The sprint race winner also earns first choice of starting positions for Saturday’s Speedway GP.
WARSAW FANZONE
The Orlen Oil FIM Warsaw Speedway GP action starts well before tapes up as the official Speedway GP fanzone opens at PGE Narodowy at 13:00 CEST, featuring a packed programme of entertainment.
Located near gate one, the fanzone features the official Speedway GP autograph session, where fans can meet all 18 riders from 16:15 CEST and grab a signature or selfie.
Pick up some exclusive freebies from Monster Energy athletes Fredrik Lindgren, Dan Bewley, Jack Holder and Patryk Dudek at the Monster Energy Rig Riot from 17:00 – featuring a special Warsaw burnout. The Monster Energy area will be open throughout the afternoon.
Monster Energy’s Trials stars also come to PGE Narodowy – enjoy the first track action of the day, with shows at 14:00, 15:45 and 17:30.
Win Speedway GP prizes with our quiz on the big screen at 15:00. Fans can also pose for a photo with the Speedway GP trophy throughout the afternoon and the best of the 2024 SGP action will be playing on the big screen.
Meet FIM Speedway mascot Speedy, who will be in the fanzone at 14:30, 15:30 and 18:00.
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 18:30, but please allow plenty of time to enter the stadium as racing gets underway at 19:00.
WHERE TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND: TUNE INTO MAX
Orlen Oil FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Warsaw – Saturday, May 17 at 19:00 CEST
Fans can catch every moment of FIM Speedway action live on Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platforms Max, HBO Max or discovery+. Coverage of all 10 Speedway GP Qualifying sessions, featuring a brand-new knockout format for 2025, will also be available on these platforms.
Max is available in Europe in France, Iberia, the Nordics, Turkey and Central and Eastern Europe. HBO Max is WBD’s streaming platform in Belgium and the Netherlands. And discovery+ is the streaming platform for Germany, Austria, Italy and the United Kingdom ahead of Max launching in these countries in 2026.
Coverage of Speedway GP is available worldwide with digital and linear coverage – see below for more details of where to watch.
ACROSS EUROPE: Live on Max, HBO Max and discovery+
BRITAIN: Live on discovery+ and TNT Sports
POLAND: Live on TTV and Max
SWEDEN: Live on Max
DENMARK: Live on 6’eren and Max
AUSTRALIA: Live on Fox Sports
GERMANY: Live on discovery+
ACROSS THE BALTICS: Live on Go3 and TV3 Sport channels
CZECHIA: Live on Max and CT Sport
SLOVAKIA: Live on STVR Sport and Max
CROATIA: Live on Max
USA/Canada: Live on Racer Network
AUSTRIA: Live on discovery+
NORWAY: Live on Max
FINLAND: Live on Max
REST OF THE WORLD: Live on Racer Network