Jan Kvěch

Czech charger Jan Kvech became his country's first full-time Speedway GP rider since Lukas Dryml raced in the 2008 series after finishing fifth in the 2023 FIM SGP Challenge in Gislaved, Sweden. While only the top three riders were guaranteed qualification for 2024, second-placed Slovak star Martin Vaculik went on to win Speedway GP bronze – meaning he qualified automatically and did not need the spot he earned at the Challenge. With fourth-placed Robert Lambert also sealing a top-six finish, Kvech was promoted into Speedway GP. The 2023 second substitute rider has emerged as one of his country's key performers on the world stage. And the 2022 FIM SGP2 and SON2 silver medallist ended a testing 2024 season on a high by reaching his first Speedway GP semi-final in Torun on September 28 - weeks after lifting his first Czech Championship in Pilsen. He gets the chance to build on a fine finish to 2024 after receiving another permanent wild card from the SGP Commission for 2025.