WILD CARD ZAGAR HAILS PERFECT PRESENT FROM CROATIA

Slovenian star Matej Zagar says his Boll FIM Speedway GP of Croatia call-up was the ideal late birthday present as he lines up in Donji Kraljevec on April 27.

Zagar is expected to bring an army of Slovenian fans across the border when he returns to the Speedway Stadion Milenium track where he won the 2019 and 2020 FIM SGP Challenges.

With 128 Speedway GP outings, 1,003 championship points and 23 final appearances to his name, Zagar is no stranger to success in Speedway GP. And he can’t wait to return to the sport’s biggest stage in Croatia next week. 

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the event, he paid tribute to local organiser Darija Pavlic and her family for his call-up. He said: "I would like to thank Darija and the whole Pavlic family for the welcome, for the invitation and the opportunity to be a part of this story once again. 

“I love racing here, the stadium is amazing, as are the fans. You can see that the stadium was built with love and passion. 

“I received the wild card two days after my birthday, and it was the best gift. It will be another home race for me, as lots of Slovenian fans are coming as well."

Pavlic looks forward to welcoming Zagar back and hosting riders and fans from all over the world in Donji Kraljevec. She said: “It has been 19 years since we've started racing at this stadium and we're happy to confirm Matej Žagar as our wild card for the third year in a row. 

“The organisation is coming along nicely, but it's still challenging. We're happy to have the support of Međimurje Tourist Board, the Croatian Tourist Board, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the whole of Međimurje County and, of course, the fans that will come once again to Speedway Stadion Milenium to watch the Boll FIM Speedway GP of Croatia. We expect fans from USA, Argentina, Australia, Spain, Norway, Finland; the whole of Europe is coming!”

Dubravko Simenc from the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) said: “We as a country need to be happy to have a chance to host an event like the Boll FIM Speedway GP of Croatia. Events like these show a unique side of Croatia, show our beautiful country and show our hospitality; a trait we're all proud of. Thousands of visitors will experience Croatia, some of them for the first time. 

“Speedway is a tradition in Međimurje, and I would personally like to thank you all for a chance to be a part of an event like this. Croatia is more than sun and the sea; Croatia is a sports nation!”

Matija Posavec, governor of Međimurje County, added: “Thanks to the energy, love, effort and will of a group of people we get the chance to watch speedway again at the Boll FIM Speedway GP of Croatia. 

“We expect full stands, our accommodation is full, and we will have over 7,000 fans from all over the world in one place. 

“Of course, we as a county support this sporting story, as we have in previous years, and hopefully will in future. We're happy to see you soon in Međimurje County in Croatia!”

Tickets for the Boll FIM Speedway GP of Croatia in Donji Kraljevec on April 27 are still available online. Secure your spot at Speedway Stadion Milenium HERE now.