SGP 2019 riders numbers revealed

The 2019 FIM Speedway Grand Prix rider numbers have been revealed as Janusz Kolodziej and Leon Madsen debut their new digits on the World Championship stage.

Last year’s GP Challenge winner Kolodziej from Poland lines up as No.333 in his first full SGP series since 2011, while Madsen makes SGP history as he wears No.30 for his World Championship debut season.

The Dane is the first rider to wear a personal number previously occupied by a rival. SGP numbers are protected from being used by a new rider if they were occupied in the previous two SGP series – so 2017 and 2018 in this case. But with Swedish star Tomas H Jonasson not appearing in the SGP line-up since he donned No.30 in 2015, it was free for Madsen to pick up.

With Niels-Kristian Iversen and Antonio Lindback both appearing in the 2017 SGP series, their numbers were protected, meaning NKI goes for No.88 once again, with Lindback resuming No.85.

There are no changes to the rest of the permanent line-up’s rider numbers as world champion Tai Woffinden sticks with No.108 – his date of birth – despite having the option to wear the No.1 race jacket.

Polish star Bartosz Zmarzlik keeps his year of birth, No.95, while Sweden’s Fredrik Lindgren dons No.66.

Maciej Janowski remains No.71, with four-time world champion Greg Hancock unsurprisingly selecting his iconic No.45, inherited from American great Bruce Penhall.

Russian racer Artem Laguta sticks with No.222, while Jason Doyle retains No.69 and Emil Sayfutdinov continues with No.89 – the year he was born.

Poland’s Patryk Dudek is No.692, while Slovenian star Matej Zagar keeps his No.55 and Slovak star Martin Vaculik goes for No.54 once again.

SGP first reserve Robert Lambert hopes to bring his No.505 on to the SGP stage if he gets a call-up, while second stand-in Max Fricke keeps his No.46.

Third reserve Mikkel Michelsen picks No.155, while fourth substitute Vaclav Milik is No.225 and World Under-21 champion Bartosz Smektala – the fifth and final stand-in – goes for No.115.

Speedway GP