ZMARZLIK SECURES NEW LEJONEN DEAL FOR 2024

Four-time world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik will lead Lejonen’s bid for Bauhaus Elitserien glory in 2024 as Lions bosses build a flexible squad.

Zmarzlik has become a big favourite at the Gislaved club in recent years and joins the likes of Speedway GP newcomer Dominik Kubera, double FIM SGP2 champion Mateusz Cierniak, former world No.2 Jaroslaw Hampel, 2020 World Under-21 champion Jaimon Lidsey, Poland’s Kacper Woryna, former Speedway GP star Oliver Berntzon and FIM SGP2 rider Casper Henriksson in a star-studded squad.

Lions chiefs Anders Fröjd and Mikael Holmstrand insists there was never a question of bringing Zmarzlik back.

Writing on the club’s official website, they said: “We, Bartosz and his team have agreed since the end of the season that we want to continue working together. 

“But it's always good to let a little time pass and decide on how many matches the biggest stars think they have time to race in other leagues and what team structure and budget we see ahead of us in the coming years. We have agreed on a plan for some time and after a few weeks of vacation, Bartosz's signature has now also landed on a contract.

“Bartosz needs no further introduction. With four individual World Championship golds already at the age of 28, he is already one of the world's best riders of all time.”

The Lions are ready to shuffle their pack, building a deep squad to ensure they are covered in the event Zmarzlik or Kubera’s international commitments force them to sit out any Swedish matches.

Fröjd and Holmstrand added: “Next year's squad has two main line-up possibilities. A more top-heavy one, where we have fewer points to spend on the reserve side and a wider one where we are very even right through the team. 

“Since both Zmarzlik and Kubera will race in the GP next year and both are also part of the Polish national team with all the commitments that means, we need to have a broad alternative when one or both of them is not available and we are very happy to have created these conditions for ourselves with a squad that has great potential to raise its average.”

Elsewhere, FIM SGP2 bronze medallist Bartlomiej Kowalski has extended his contract with Indianerna.

Finnish international Timo Lahti is the latest star to join champions Dackarna and triple British champion Chris Harris is back in Sweden after joining Bauhaus Elitserien newcomers Vargarna.