Speedway Youth Training Camp and 250cc Youth Cup

In conjunction with the 250cc FIM Speedway Youth World Cup, FIM once again sponsored a training camp for some of the World’s most promising young riders. This year the camp was held in Grudziadz, Poland and attracted 33 riders from 13 different nations.

This was a two-day training camp supervised by FIM Jury president Pavel Ondrasik and Referee Krister Gardell, both former track racing riders who were able to share some of their experience with the participants. Additionally, Polish legend and World Champion Tomasz Gollob was a welcome visitor and gave some excellent on-track advice. As well as providing an opportunity for track practice there were indoor sessions covering topics such as fitness, sports psychology, sporting rules, sponsorship, bike preparation, a visit to the Referee’s box and many other practical aspects of modern day racing giving very useful guidance for a future racing career.

At the conclusion of the Training Camp the riders were drawn to compete in two semi finals of the 2016 FIM Speedway Youth World Cup held on consecutive days with the possibility of qualification for the Final to be held later this week in Germany. Although there was some heavy rain during the days before the meetings, the track was well prepared by the Grudziadz staff and remained in good condition throughout despite the wear inflicted by the equivalent of 80 races over the four days.

Australia were well represented with an unbeaten Matthew Gilmore winning the first meeting and an impressive Jedd List finishing third on the second day after falling in the run off for second place but their third rider Mitchell Cluff was perhaps the most disappointed. For as long as he can remember it has been his ambition to represent his country and he travelled to Poland with the help of donations from friends and sponsors. After the frustration of having to wait for Customs Officials to release his bikes he then suffered machine problems during the meeting, which prevented him from qualifying for next week’s Final.  As he posted on social media “everything that could go wrong did go wrong for me”.

Another to impress was the youngest participant, 13 year old Leon Flint from Great Britain who collected 11 points in the second Semi Final and will be Britain’s only representative in the Final. He remained in Poland after the Camp and was seen practicing in Lezsno before making his way to Germany.

This was another successful training event, thanks in no small measure to the organisation from the Grudziadz club with assistance from DMSB. It was pleasing to see the level of commitment and enthusiasm from all these young riders and their support teams and this was reflected in the high standard of racing they provided. 

For full results see HERE

The 250cc FIM Speedway Youth World Cup Final will take place in Gustrow, Germany next Friday 15th July when, after practice in the afternoon, racing will start at 20.15. Pavel Ondrasik will be FIM Jury President and Susanne Huttinger the Referee.

Graham Brodie