SGP: Can anyone beat Zmarzlik at Toruń?

When Bartosz Zmarzlik got the revised SGP World Championship dates and venues for 2020 he must had something to say about the fact that not just one, but two Rounds, were going to be in Prague – a track where he had only got to qualifying once in his SGP career. Most of supporters must just have been hoping he would get enough points at the other venues (as he did last year) in his first ever World Championship win.

Zmarzlik leads the overall 

Instead the 25 year old Pole has surprised everyone by becoming the first rider to win both meetings at the 2020 double-headers. In the process he has taken himself up to first place in the overall standings with 99 points. He is seven points above Sweden’s, Fredrik Lindgren (92 pts) and ten above the UK’s Tai Woffinden (89 pts). 

Who will take 2020 medals? 

With fellow Pole, Maciej Janowski another 17 points behind the three times world champion, it seems most likely that Zmarzlik, Lindgren and Woffinden will be in the medals this year. If Zmarzlik wins the overall he will become the 6th person in 11 years to win both the Prague SGP and World Championship in the same season.

Not best, but better

The current world champion has never won at Toruń even when he competed earlier this season as a wildcard in the SEC. But he came fifth in July and has never been lower than that in four SGP rounds since 2016-2019 (3rd, 3rd, 5th and 4th). 

Perhaps most importantly, he has always beaten Fredrik Lindgren, who does not have great results from the Marian Rose Motoarena. In his last three SGPs at Toruń the Swede has finished only 11th (2019), 6th (2018) and 8th (2016).

Woffinden to take first SGP in 2 years? 

Tai Woffinden on the other hand has a great record at this year’s final track. He won there in 2018 and was second in 2017.

 If we take away last year’s performance where he sat out injured in the middle of the season, the Brit still has an incredible record in the overall SGP. Between 2014 and 2018 he has 3 Golds, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze and 1 fourth place in the overall standings. However, Toruń in 2018 was the last time the Sparta Wroclaw rider won a SGP. So, you can be certain that will be one of his goals in two weeks time as well as trying to get the Silver off of Lindgren. 

Madsen to win again in Toruń? 

Over the last three years Leon Madsen has picked up 1st (2018), 3rd (2019) and in 2nd (2020) in the overall at SEC and 2nd in the SGP series (2019). So his current place of fifth with 70 points and no chance to medal will seem like a disappointment to the hugely talented Dane. 

Therefore, it seems all the more likely that he will be aiming to repeat past success and take home a SGP victory before the season is over. He has an incredible record at this Polish track having won three of his last four outings there. That includes one SGP and 2 SEC victories. 

It was not that long ago that the SGP series and the whole speedway season seemed likely to be cancelled completely due to COVID-19. Now we are just two weeks away from the close of the 2020 World Championships and Bartosz Zmarzlik is most people’s favourite to go on to win his second title in a row. 

Po Bandzie International Prediction:  

Round 7: Leon Madsen

Round 8: Tai Woffinden 

Medals: 

1. Zmarzlik 
2. Woffinden 
3. Lindgren