19/09/2024

JANOWSKI: FOCUSED ON FORM NOT WILD CARDS

Polish star Maciej Janowski insists he isn’t thinking about his FIM Speedway Grand Prix wild-card hopes, despite racing to third place in the Deluxe Homeart FIM Speedway GP of Denmark – Vojens last Saturday.Janowski started the series as second substitute rider but has competed in the past five rounds, first replacing Andzejs Lebedevs in Gorzow, before covering for Tai Woffinden in the last four.After falling short of the Cardiff semi-finals in the tightest of tiebreaks – due to having a lower FIM ranking than three other riders, he reached the semis in home event Wroclaw, scoring nine championship points, and Riga, where he collected 12.But last Saturday saw Janowski reach his first SGP final since the 2022 season finale in Torun – the night he sealed his Speedway GP World Championship bronze medal. He now hopes to take that form into the season finale, the DeWalt FIM Speedway GP of Poland – Torun on September 28.With Janowski not taking part in the FIM SGP Challenge in Pardubice on October 4, a permanent wild card call-up is his best hope of regaining his place in Speedway GP full-time for 2025. Another big performance in Torun could help his cause. But having missed out on a pick a year ago, Magic is focusing purely on his performances rather than on a decision he cannot control.He said: “I am not thinking about the wild cards now. I am just trying to concentrate on every meeting and have as much fun as I can. I really enjoy racing a speedway bike and that’s the most important thing for me. If I am happy on the bike, the results are also good. I am trying to give my best performance in every race.”Janowski’s Vojens podium finish would not have been possible if he had not agreed to take the second substitute spot, despite his bitter disappointment at not getting a full wild card.He said: “To be honest, when I agreed to be second reserve, I was not in the best mood about Speedway GP. But I am trying to be a professional rider and represent all my sponsors. I want to compete with the best riders, and they are in the GP. This is what I try to do and that’s why I agreed to be the second reserve.”Taking his chance has given Janowski the opportunity to end 2024 on a high in Speedway GP. And Magic was pleased to continue a strong finish by reaching his first semi-final and final in Vojens last weekend. He said: “The end of the season has been pretty good for me. I am very happy about that. It’s very good to be back on the podium in Speedway GP. That’s always a great feeling. But when you get to the final, you always want to win.“I am very happy because Vojens never used to be a good place for me. I am happy that I have finally scored good points. I am feeling great. It was a good night.”

Discover