Swedish skipper Fredrik Lindgren says he has “unfinished enterprise” after inspiring his nation into the 2025 FIM Speedway of Nations Remaining with victory at Semi-Remaining 1 in Torun on Tuesday.
The Swedes powered to an enormous 7-2 over seemingly podium rivals Nice Britain of their opening race, earlier than occurring to win the Semi-Remaining on 40 factors, with the Brits additionally progressing to the Remaining in second spot on 37.
The third qualification place was claimed by Latvia after they gained the Remaining Qualifier 7-2 in opposition to Germany to succeed in their third FIM SON Remaining in simply 4 years – an unbelievable run for an rising speedway nation that solely appeared of their first FIM Speedway world group remaining simply 4 years in the past in 2021.
Sweden stormed into Saturday’s FIM SON Remaining, the place they will even face hosts Poland and the highest three international locations from Semi-Remaining 2 on Wednesday, with Speedway GP ace Lindgren starring on 18 factors, whereas Jacob Thorssell collected 14 and group debutant Timo Lahti added eight factors.
The group’s hopes of success had been massively lifted when world No.4 Lindgren reversed his pre-season choice to sit down out this yr’s FIM SON.
Requested why he made himself accessible for choice, he mentioned: “I nonetheless felt I had vitality – even on the finish of the season.
“I felt like I nonetheless had some unfinished enterprise, and I wished to maintain going actually. I really feel motivated, my well being is sweet, and I’m able to go.”
Reflecting on a high-quality win, he added: “We’re actually happy. The aim was to take a top-two spot to keep away from the Remaining Qualifier warmth and we got here out with a extremely robust begin. That first warmth settled the nerves a bit of bit for the entire group. We executed rather well.”
Swedish group supervisor Linus Sundstrom was delighted to see his aspect hit the bottom racing in his first FIM SON occasion as nationwide boss.
He mentioned: “We had been aiming for the highest two spots. We talked earlier than the assembly about the way it was essential to get off to a great begin. We got here out with most factors from our first race.
“I’m actually happy with the efficiency on the observe from the boys. I’m actually, actually pleased with the work they did on the observe and the identical within the pits. We had a unbelievable group spirit.
“We will go up one other step on Saturday. The Remaining is at all times a troublesome one and it’s a unique type of racing in comparison with the Semi-Remaining. However everyone knows what it takes. We have to go up a couple of ranges there, and naturally we’re aiming to battle for the medals.”
World No.3 Dan Bewley led Nice Britain’s rating chart on 22 factors, with skipper Robert Lambert including 15.
After conceding a 7-2 to Sweden, Bewley knew the Lions needed to ship a faultless remaining 5 rides, and so they racked up 5 7-2 maximums to make the Remaining in second place.
The three-time FIM British Speedway GP winner mentioned: “It was a great evening actually. The primary race wasn’t splendid. Sweden is an efficient group, and once you throw some factors away like that, we knew we had been positively combating for second.
“That was most likely the hardest race, and after that, we knew we couldn’t make any extra errors. We needed to be fairly stable from that time onward.
“It was a troublesome assembly, and the factors had been so shut. It was solely the Semi-Remaining, however we acquired some expertise and realized a couple of issues.”
Joint GB group supervisor Oliver Allen was happy with how his aspect recovered from an early setback. He mentioned: “Each boys knew instantly that they had been barely off on their setup. After that, they made modifications, had been lots faster and gated a bit higher.
“It wasn’t splendid to start out that approach, however what’s actually spectacular and essential is that they remained calm, saved their composure and did what they needed to do. They went unbeaten after that. I couldn’t have requested any extra from them actually.
“We all know it’s going to be robust within the Remaining. It’s one other stage larger. That’s most likely higher for us. The boys rode rather well as a group. That’s essential. I be ok with Saturday.”
Latvian skipper Andzejs Lebedevs raced to twenty of Latvia’s 28 factors within the heats, with Daniils Kolodinskis including eight and Jevgenijs Kostigovs gathering two.
Lebedevs and Kolodinskis then teamed as much as beat German duo Norick Blodorn and Kai Huckenbeck 7-2 within the Remaining Qualifier to proceed Latvia’s dream run of three Remaining appearances in 4 FIM SONs.
“For a small federation and nation, it’s enormous,” Lebedevs mentioned. “We’re completely happy; we’re within the high seven already. For us, it means lots. Hopefully the federation will even see this and help speedway in our nation extra.
“The aim earlier than the assembly was to battle with Germany for third place. We did the job, and we’re very completely happy.
“Saturday might be tougher and with the larger groups. We are going to go there to take pleasure in it, present some good races and hopefully we will produce some surprises. We’re underdogs however you by no means know in speedway. Hopefully we will discover some good setups and in addition be quick there.”
Latvian group supervisor Vladimirs Vagels added: “I really feel good. We had been aiming for the highest three, so it is a good end result. We did a great job, discovered the setup and acquired third place. That is nice for our small speedway nation.”
There’s extra excellent news for Sweden and Nice Britain as Remaining qualification means they’re assured at the very least a Semi-Remaining spot for the 2026 FIM Speedway World Cup. Latvia and Germany had been already assured locations as the 2 nations will host the Semi-Finals.
The highest 4 groups in Wednesday’s FIM SON Semi-Remaining 2, that includes Argentina, Australia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France and Ukraine additionally earn at the very least FIM SWC Semi-Remaining spots for 2026, with the FIM SON world champions advancing straight to the FIM SWC Remaining at Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy, the place they are going to be joined by hosts Poland. If the Poles win the FIM SON, Saturday’s runners-up will qualify for the FIM SWC Remaining.
Tickets for Wednesday’s FIM SON Semi-Remaining, plus SON2 on Friday and the FIM SON Remaining this Saturday are nonetheless accessible on-line. Safe your spot at Torun’s Marian Rose Motoarena HERE now.
FIM SPEEDWAY OF NATIONS SEMI-FINAL 1 SCORES:
1. SWEDEN 40: 1. Jacob Thorssell 14, 2. Fredrik Lindgren 18, 3. Timo Lahti 8.
2. GREAT BRITAIN 37: 1. Robert Lambert 15, 2. Dan Bewley 22, 3. Tom Brennan DNR.
3. LATVIA 30: 1. Andzejs Lebedevs 20, 2. Jevgenijs Kostigovs 2, 3. Daniils Kolodinskis 8.
4. GERMANY 26: 1. Norick Blodorn 9, 2. Kai Huckenbeck 17, 3. Valentin Grobauer DNR.
5. NORWAY 26: 1. Mathias Pollestad 19, 2. Glenn Moi DNR, 3. Lasse Fredriksen 7.
6. SLOVENIA 16: 1. Matic Ivacic 5, 2. Anze Grmek 11, 3. Luka Omerzel DNR.
7. ITALY 14: 1. Nicolas Covatti 12, 2. Nicolas Vicentin 2, 3. Nicolo Percotti 0.
Phrases by FIM Speedway – Characteristic Picture by Taylor Lanning
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