EKSTRALIGA: Hancock praises Bewley as Wroclaw win

#WROTOR

At Wroclaw it was the home team’s first match of the season whilst visitors Toruń were coming in after an impressive win in their opener against Zielona Góra.

The match had no less that 5 English speakers – 3 Brits (Woffinden, Lambert, Bewley) and the Holder brothers – as well as SGP riders Maciej Janowski and Artem Laguta on display – even American legends, Greg Hancock was seen prowling around the depot.

Wroclaw take charge 

But for all the pre-match hype, the hosts took control of the match from the 5:1 victory in the reserve heat and never slipped up leading to a 51:39 win. 

Woffinden (12+1), Janowski (11+1) and Laguta (10+1) lead the way showing why they are in the top echelons of SGP riders. 

But the encouragement for the home fans (and British viewers) was that their fourth best rider was none other than Daniel Bewley (8+1). He had no less that two heat wins, the first against former World Champion, Chris Holder as well as current European champion and compatriot, Robert Lambert. 

A far cry from last year’s disastrous season, when the young Brit broke his arm in a BMX accident and where he finished 47th with an average of just 1.240. He even got a pep talk from Greg Hancock who patted him on the back and declared, “you’re better than me, bro!” as the Brit walked back to the depot after his Heat 11 victory. 

Toruń lacked a full team performance 

Toruń can be grateful forwho is currently riding the best races of his career with an average of 2.100 after the first two matches. He scored 8+1 behind English speakers, Jack Holder (10+1) and Robert Lambert (11+1). 

The difference tonight for the visitors compared to last week, however, is not in their top tier pros but in the secondary riders. The team’s bottom three riders scored 11+5 last Sunday but tonight just 2+1. If this pattern continues, Adrian Miedzinski‘s form could be the make or break difference for Ekstraliga’s new arrivals.