Six-time Speedway GP world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik returns to Swedish side Lejonen for 2026.
Zmarzlik’s contract extension was confirmed as he enters a fifth straight season with the Gislaved side, where he won Bauhaus Elitserien gold in 2024.
Lions boss Anders Frojd believes Gislaved is the perfect location for Pole. He said: “He extended his contract with Lejonen because he enjoys the club very much. He likes riding in Gislaved and he likes the opportunities for activities outside of sports that are available in Gislaved, such as fishing, going to Isaberg, driving go-karts and riding pit bikes.
“Bartosz lives in Gorzow in western Poland and a particular advantage for him of riding for Lejonen is that after a home match he can be home as early as 7am when his family wakes up.
“Family means a lot to Bartosz. It is important for him to be present at home with his children and his wife. He also thinks that Lejonen is a professional club even though we are a much smaller club than the clubs in Poland.”
Frojd hailed Zmarzlik’s work ethic – one that has put Zmarzlik among the sport’s all-time greats. He said: “Over the years I have worked with many world stars, for example Nicki Pedersen, Tomasz Gollob and Mark Loram. But Bartosz stands out.
“He is a professional to the point of perfection! He trains before a match even when he is the best.
“He is a very good teammate. He shares his tips and settings with his teammates. He thinks it is fun when the others in the team are doing well, no matter who it is. He wants to win every heat he rides. And he is also very humble.
“Bartosz is determined and always does his best. He has extreme talent and an enormous desire to train and be the best.
“He also surrounds himself with a fantastic team. That team includes his parents and brother. He never leaves anything to chance. He could undoubtedly have been the best in several other sports. If he had focused on MotoGP or motocross, he would have been the best in those sports.”
Frojd believes retaining Zmarzlik makes his side favourites in next year’s Bauhaus Elitserien title race.
He said: “Any team that has Bartosz is a gold favourite. In the case of Lejonen, you have to consider that we have not only Bartosz but two more GP riders (Dominik Kubera and Kacper Woryna).
“Then you always have to remember that Lejonen will not win just because of one rider. If we win, we win as a team and if we lose, we lose as a team.”