FRICKE SET FOR VASTERVIK SWITCH IN SWEDEN

Triple Australian champion Max Fricke is pleased to finally line up in Vastervik colours as he joins the coastal club for 2024.

Next year’s Speedway GP first reserve forms what’s shaping up to be a rock-solid side as he teams up with Speedway GP star Robert Lambert, former World Under-21 champion Bartosz Smektala, double Swedish champion Jacob Thorssell, American international Luke Becker, Denmark’s Mads Hansen and local racer Anton Karlsson.

Fricke is pleased to finally compete on the Vastervik track as a home rider and hopes to help the club improve on the Bauhaus Elitserien silver they won in 2023.

He told the club’s website: “I'm really looking forward to being part of Västervik in 2024. It was the first track I raced on in Sweden when I made my debut in 2015. I've always liked riding there, but this time it will be as a home rider instead of an opponent.

“Västervik is a team with a fine history that has achieved great success. Hopefully I can be there and continue to build on that success next year. We must work hard and together as a team to achieve the best possible results. I think the squad looks strong and I don't see any reason why we shouldn't be fighting for the gold at the end of the season.”

Vastervik chief Morgan Andersson admits Fricke’s desire to race the entire Swedish season persuaded him to recruit the Victorian ace, who raced in Indianerna colours this year.

He said: “We have been out and probed the market for riders who really want to ride for a whole season. And Max wants that. For next season, he is first reserve in SGP, so there may very well be some extra competitions for him. 

“I think that the past season was perhaps his best in Sweden so far. He is relatively young, but at the same time has been at the top for a very long time. 

“Max is a really good guy to have in the team, and that's important, so we are very happy to have Max with us, and Västervik already has good experiences with Australians in the team.”