Danish champion Anders Thomsen believes his good friend Bartosz Zmarzlik is the “the best rider ever” but insists “he’s not unbeatable” as he makes his Speedway GP comeback in 2025.
Thomsen finished second at the FIM SGP Challenge in Pardubice on October 4 to secure his return to the World Championship after a year’s break.
The 30-year-old used to race alongside Zmarzlik for Polish club Gorzow in the PGE Ekstraliga, before five-time Speedway GP world champion made the move to Lublin ahead of the 2023 season. The pair became firm friends at the Edward Jancarz Stadium, even going on holiday together.
If anyone is aware of Zmarzlik’s talents as the Pole bids to land a record-equalling sixth FIM Speedway World Championship, it’s Thomsen.
While the Vojens star knows what he is up against, he insisted: “He’s not unbeatable! Not at all. I beat him plenty of times this year in the league and some other meetings. You can beat him, but wow! But he is awesome good.
“He’s also my good friend in my private life. He’s the best rider ever, which means it’s even better to beat him than somebody else. I can’t tell you what to do to stop him – just be better than him!”
That’s easier said than done against a record 26-time SGP winner, but Thomsen also believes he returns to Speedway GP in his prime.
“Now I am at the best age I can be for racing,” he enthused. “I am 30 years old. I have a good life and I’m more than hungry to get back on top. I had a good season in 2024, and I have had one year on the bench out of Speedway GP. But I qualified myself for next year and I am ready to get back in and I know what to do now. I am really ready.”
Thomsen isn’t setting any targets for his Speedway GP comeback season. He added: “I don’t really want to set a goal or say ‘I need to be here’ because then you can be disappointed. I am just happy I am in Speedway GP because I want to be good next year. I want to win, but I am not going to say I am going to be world champion because only one guy out of 15 can be that.
“I am fully focused, and anything can happen. The other riders also have two wheels. I just need to be consistent and fast.”