Joyous Jack Holder triumphs at Speedway GP in Poland as Bartosz Zmarzlik struggles on home soil, Brits finish down the standings
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/16/image-70e52184-1d6b-4d9c-a172-9a13d4a3a1d9-68-310-310.jpeg)
Updated 17/05/2025 at 21:27 GMT+1
TNT Sports brought you live text coverage of the second round of the 2025 Speedway Grand Prix season as the action continued in Warsaw, Poland. Bartosz Zmarzlik was going on home soil as he defended his championship lead from the likes of Brady Kurtz. Watch and stream the 2025 Speedway Grand Prix on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'Disappointment' for Zmarzlik as he misses out on Warsaw final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Green and gold rules in Warsaw with redemption for Holder
Jack Holder found redemption at the Speedway GP in Warsaw, banishing the demons of 2023 as he stormed to victory ahead of fellow Australian Brady Kurtz on an incident-filled evening at a Narodowy Stadium that's still awaiting a first Polish winner as wildcard Patryk Dudek and Dominik Kubera finished third and fourth.
Holder was on the verge of winning in the Polish capital in 2023 before an incident behind forced a restart in the final eventually won by Fredrik Lindgren, yet there was no stopping him this time as Holder boldly took gate two and disappeared into the night for the second grand prix victory of his career.
Holder was set for a perfect evening until he was rounded by Kurtz in heat 19, but made it count when it mattered most, while Kurtz continues his fine start to grand prix speedway, reaching his second final in his second race as a permanent rider.
An emotional Kurtz now leads the standings as Bartosz Zmarzlik struggled early and could only finish eighth on the night ahead of round three in Prague.
There was a lengthy stoppage to the heats when Jason Doyle slammed into the crash barrier after tangling with Max Fricke in heat 14 - the 2017 world champion received extensive treatment on the shale and was reportedly responsive when he was finally evacuated from the track.
Meanwhile, it was a desperately disappointing night for British speedway - Dan Bewley was second in the standings after Landshut and reached Friday's sprint final, but never got going in the heats and finished 13th, while Robert Lambert was bounced out in the second Last Chance Qualifier.
See you next time!
Well, that's it for now, after a humdinger of a second round to the 2025 Speedway GP, there's not long to wait for the action to resume at Prague's fan-favourite Marketa Stadium in a fortnight!
We've had seven finalists so far in this unpredictable season and TNT Sports and discovery+ will be live from the Czech Republic on May 31 to find out whether that rollercoaster start continues. Don't miss it!
WATCH: Holder takes emotional victory in Warsaw
Two years on from his last time leading the final at the Narodowy Stadium, nothing could deny Jack Holder tonight...
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/17/image-5f9c91cf-2925-4d05-8219-3ec9660c06d0-85-2560-1440.png)
'Redemption' for Holder as he triumphs at Speedway Grand Prix Warsaw
Video credit: TNT Sports
Kurtz: It's wild that I'm leading
At 28 years old, two races (and two finals) into his full-time Speedway GP career, Brady Kurtz is the leader of the pack. He's been ice-cool on the track in Germany and Poland but that facade came down when he spoke to TNT Sports after the final on leading the championship:
"What a thought. It's been a long journey here and it's a wild thought to think that I'm leading the whole thing. I'm so grateful to my team in the pits, they've been doing an unbelievable job, my girlfriend here with me, I'm just so grateful.
[On his late maturation] "Better late than never! I think I came at the right time, I've grown up a lot in the last few years which was much-needed, and things have been going great for me.
"It's wild to think I'm here in this stadium on the podium, two finals and it's been mad. Thank you so much to everybody, my family watching from home, I know they're up all hours in the morning."
Holder: Tonight I meant business
Jack Holder made it clear it was mission accomplished tonight in Warsaw when he spoke to TNT Sports' Abi Stephens after his second career Grand Prix triumph:
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/17/image-185084ab-492e-4449-84e2-d1d583812cad-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Told him I was going to bring home a trophy!' - Holder wins ahead of son's first birthday
Video credit: TNT Sports
Updated World Championship standings
Two rounds in and the new boy is top of the pile!
1. Brady Kurtz - 38 points (2nd tonight)
2. Bartosz Zmarzlik - 33 (8th)
3. Andzejs Lebedevs - 29 (5th)
4. Jack Holder - 28 (1st)
5. Dominik Kubera - 25 (4th)
6. Robert Lambert - 24 (6th)
7. Dan Bewley - 23 (13th)
8. Fredrik Lindgren - 22 (7th)
9. Max Fricke - 18 (9th)
10. Patryk Dudek - 16 (3rd)
11. Anders Thomsen - 14 (10th)
12. Jan Kvech - 12 (14th)
13. Mikkel Michelsen - 10 (11th)
14. Martin Vaculik - 8 (15th)
15. Jason Doyle - 8 (12th)
16. Erik Riss - 2 (Landshut wildcard)
17. Kai Huckenbeck - 2 (16th)
Final - Kurtz, Holder, Dudek, Kubera
JACK HOLDER WINS IN WARSAW! He silences the doubters, matching Kurtz at the start and outlasting him around the first bend, there was no catching him after that!
Holder has chance to celebrate before crossing the line while Dudek's move on the opening lap was enough to claim third.
WATCH: Kubera surprises Lebedevs in LCQ 1
This was the move that means it's two Poles in the Warsaw final - but not the world champion!
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/05/17/image-a9e8887b-f098-4d3e-a52d-34840f7864fd-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Disappointment' for Zmarzlik as he misses out on Warsaw final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Holder stuns at gate selection
Gate one has supplied nine winners tonight, yet Holder showed no hesitation in picking gate two for the final! Kurtz was ecstatic to take the red helmet while Dudek and Kubera go off gates three and four.
Genius or disaster from Holder?
LCQ 2 Re-run - Lindgren, Dudek, Lambert, Thomsen
Patryk Dudek has made the most of that second chance, he's into the final! Lambert got a better cutback on lap one but couldn't get close enough to Dudek to attempt a move.
So it'lll be Poland versus Australia in the final, while Lindgren will feel aggrieved after he couldn't replicate his strong first start.
LCQ 2 - Lindgren, Dudek, Lambert, Thomsen
Thomsen is down at the first turn and we'll be off for a re-run. Lindgren made a great start and opened the steering up through the bend, pushing Dudek out into Thomsen who slumps into the barrier.
It'll be all four back and that's a reprieve for Lambert who'd had a terrible start.
LCQ 1 - Lebedevs, Zmarzlik, Kubera, Fricke
Kubera is through to the final! Zmarzlik was swamped from the start and can only finish third behind the hard-charging Lebedevs, while Fricke has spent the last 12 laps tonight out the back.
Last Chance Qualifiers set
Both grids were filled inside to out with gates one and two coming good late on. The home crowd will be roaring on Zmarzlik, Kubera and Dudek but Lebedevs and Lindgren will be the favourites.
LCQ 1 - Lebedevs, Zmarzlik, Kubera, Fricke
LCQ 2 - Lindgren, Dudek, Lambert, Thomsen
Tough night for Bewley
The Brit picks up a meagre four championship points (plus one from yesterday's sprint) after arriving in Poland second in the standings. LCQ gate selections up next...
Who's reached the final and LCQ?
Jack Holder and Brady Kurtz (again) are straight through to the final and will have first pick of the gates, so who will join them? Remember riders 3-10 make up the Last Chance Qualifiers, where only the winners advance.
1. Holder - 14 points
2. Kurtz - 13
3. Lebedevs - 11
4. Lindgren - 10
5. Dudek - 10
6. Zmarzlik - 9
7. Lambert - 9
8. Kubera - 6
9. Fricke - 6
10. Thomsen - 6
11. Michelsen - 6, 12. Doyle - 5, 13. Bewley - 5, 14. Kvech - 3, 15. Vaculik - 3, 16. Huckenbeck - 2.
Heat 20 - Lambert, Bewley, Dudek, Huckenbeck
Lambert needed a win and he got it! This wasn't the most exciting heat as Bewley beat Dudek but couldn't close on his international teammate, it's a valuable two points for Bewley though his night is still over.
Heat 19 - Kubera, Holder, Kurtz, Kvech
Is that a preview of the final? Holder appeared clean away on lap one before Kurtz flew past him as both Australians advance straight to the final. It's a rapid race time of 53.7 seconds, Kubera's last-place finish is a disaster though.
Heat 18 - Zmarzik, Michelsen, Thomsen, Fricke
Zmarzlik has delivered when it really mattered to book his place in the LCQ, although it was still a slow race time and it's unclear if he can get it done outside of gate one.
Fricke started strongly tonight but two pointless scores in his final two rides make him vulnerable, Michelsen and Thomsen took second and third.
Heat 17 - Lebedevs, Lindgren, Vaculik, Kowalski
Lebedevs cleared off to pile the pressure on Kurtz and Dudek, while behind there's a titanic tussle for second.
Vaculik initially held the advantage but Lindgren snuck up the inside before reserve Bartlomiej Kowalski forced his way past too.
Standings - one ride to go
Holder has his destiny in his own hands as every rider enters their final heat of the night. He's up against Kurtz, Kubera and Kvech in heat 19 and only needs to pick up a point to guarantee his place in the final.
1. Holder - 12 points
2. Kurtz - 10
3. Dudek - 9
4. Lindgren - 8
5. Lebedevs - 8
6. Kubera - 3
7. Zmarzlik - 3
8. Fricke - 6
9. Lambert - 4
10. Doyle - 5
11. Thomsen - 5
12. Michelsen - 4
13. Vaculik - 3, 14. Bewley - 3, 15. Kvech - 2, 16. Huckenbeck - 2.
Heat 16 Re-run - Zmarzlik, Kvech, Huckenbeck
It's huge for Zmarzlik! Kvech finally made a start and beat Zmarzlik to turn one, then the home favourite threw EVERYTHING at the Czech over the next three and a half laps.
Kvech appeared to have the win in the bag with just one bend to go yet Zmarzlik somehow found a way to beat him on the run to the line to move onto six points
Heat 16 - Zmarzlik, Kvech, Huckenbeck, Vaculik
Wow! Zmarzlik finally makes a start and was off to victory but behind, all three riders were level pegging entering the second bend. Vaculik was on the outside and couldn't hold on as Huckenbeck pushed him wide, the Slovakian folding into the fence.
Someone must be excluded and it'll likely be Vaculik - he wasn't exactly in a rush to get up and take his bike off the track.
Heat 15 Re-run - Fricke, Kubera, Cierniak, Lambert
It could be a Polish one-two! Mateusz Cierniak replaced the Doyle with no riders excluded and took Lambert out wide on lap one, while Kubera disappeared out front on his spare bike.
Fricke was beaten up after initially challenging Kubera, while Lambert finally flew back and it's a photo-finish for second...
And Lambert does take it! Kubera and Lambert have a lifeline but must perform again in their final rides.
Doyle conscious
The Australian was taken away in an ambulance but is apparently responsive.
Gate breakdown
Heats 13 and 14 were won from the previously unfancied blue and yellow gates, but it's still gates one and three that lead the way on the stats sheet with five and four wins.
Kurtz: I learned pretty quick
We're still waiting for updates on track, but TNT Sports' Greg Hancock caught up with the lightning Brady Kurtz, who's taken to Grand Prix speedway like a duck to water and is on course to reach a second successive final:
"It's been good I think I learned pretty quick yesterday what was going on, the bike's working perfect, I only made a few mistakes which cost a couple of points.
"No one wants to be on the deck, it's never but I managed to make a good start again, thought I'd done all the right things but got a little bit wrong. We'll make a few adjustments for the next one."
Holder: 2023 on my mind
Jack Holder told TNT Sports that the 2023 Warsaw final is "100%" on his mind - the Australian was on his way to winning his maiden Grand Prix when a clash behind between Zmarzlik and Doyle saw the final restarted, with Lindgren triumphing.
Holder added: "Not over yet but it's definitely a good feeling. Got a couple more to go so just keep on it. Everything's going good, all positive vibes in the Holder camp at the moment."
Hancock: Lindgren exclusion the right decision
TNT Sports' Greg Hancock gave his opinion on the Lindgren-Kurtz clash as we await news of Doyle and the heat 15 re-run.
"I think it was the right decision. It's really tough, looking at Freddie's perspective he saw himself as going clearly past Brady but he didn't know Brady was there."
He added on the Doyle crash: "That was definitely not the brightest of crashes, we don't like to see that stuff. Speedway's a dangerous sport and that was definitely a nasty-looking incident.
As it stands
A reminder that Fricke, Kubera, Lambert, Zmarzlik, Kvech, Huckenbeck, Vaculik and maybe Holder still have a ride in hand:
1. Holder - 12 points
2. Kurtz - 10
3. Dudek - 9
4. Lindgren - 8
5. Lebedevs - 8
6. Fricke - 6
7. Doyle - 5
8. Thomsen - 5
9. Michelsen - 4
10. Lambert - 4
11. Kubera - 3
12. Zmarzlik - 3
13. Vaculik - 3, 14. Bewley - 3, 15. Huckenbeck - 1, 16. Kvech - 0.
Heat 15 - Fricke, Kubera, Doyle, Lambert
Doyle is in the fence and that didn't look good. Fricke opened up the steering in turn one and probably didn't realise Doyle was so close on his right, the former world champion is bounced into the barrier still on the bike and the stunned silence from the crowd says it all.
Heat 14 Re-run - Michelsen, Kurtz, Dudek
Lindgren wasn't happy but has to accept the exclusion which has dashed his chances of advancing straight to the final.
In the re-run, Dudek takes full advantage of the extra racing room he had off the outside with gate three empty, running the bike wide and passing Kurtz on lap two.
Heat 14 - Michelsen, Kurtz, Lindgren, Dudek
Kurtz is down! The Australian led the opening lap but Lindgren responded from a rough start, flying around the outside of both bends before cutting back at the start of the second lap.
Kurtz was roaring down the back straight and Lindgren moves across too late to defend, nicking his opponent's front wheel and will be excluded.
However, the bleach blonde rider signals for the phone - he wants to argue the point with referee Craig Ackroyd.
Heat 13 - Thomsen, Holder, Bewley, Lebedevs
Lebedevs huffed and puffed around the outside but couldn't overhaul Holder who goes four from four and is surely set for the final.
Behind, Bewley is in big trouble after finishing last, he'll almost certainly miss out on the Last Chance Qualifers.
Eight to go...
Gates one and three are the places to be, supplying five and four heat victors so far while only three have come from gates two and four.
The inside is starting to dominate - Lebedevs was the only rider to triumph in a helmet colour that wasn't red in the last block of heats - and both of Zmarzlik's final two starts come on the inside which may save the world champion.
Standings after Heat 12
Australians lead the way with Mark Webber in attendance today, heat 19 is looking like a must-watch with Holder and Kurtz facing off from the inside gates. Here's the full standings:
1. Holder - 9 points
2. Kurtz - 8
3. Lindgren - 8
4. Lebedevs - 6
5. Dudek - 6
6. Fricke - 6
7. Doyle - 5
8. Thomsen - 4
9. Lambert - 4
10. Kubera - 3
11. Zmarzlik - 3
12. Vaculik - 3
13. Michelsen - 3, 14. Bewley - 3, 15. Huckenbeck - 1, 16. Kvech - 0
Heat 12 - Kurtz, Huckenbeck, Doyle, Thomsen
Heat 12 is the battle of the emerald Australians, Doyle had a fantastic run off the first bend but Kurtz shut the door to win his second heat of the night. Behind, Huckenbeck picks up his first points of the evening.
Heat 11 - Lindgren, Zmarzlik, Kubera, Bewley
We're FOUR WIDE down the back straight! Bewley and Kubera lose out in the battle of elbows heading into turn three while Lindgren is the bravest of them all, outduelling Zmarzlik (not many do that) to take the lead and the win.
On a new bike, the world champion at least showed improvement but still has work to do in his hast two heats, as does Bewley on just three points.
Heat 10 - Holder, Lambert, Vaculik, Michelsen
Hello Martin Vaculik! The Slovakian has had a rotten start but switched his bike and boy did it pay off. He was all over the red-hot Holder in the first two laps and though he couldn't take the win, Vaculik holds off Lambert to take second.
Holder is on track to head straight to the final at this rate...
Heat 9 - Kvech, Fricke, Lebedevs, Dudek
It's Lebedevs who triumphs, beating Fricke as the middle gates got the best start while the Australian ruthlessly cut off Dudek entering lap three to limit the pole to a single point.
Kvech remains pointless and should miss the knockouts, after winning the sprint.
Best gates
It's been an even start with two winners off the two flank gates, one from two and three from the white helmet colour. Can Dudek boost the gate four stats next?
Heat 8 - Huckenbeck, Lindgren, Holder, Fricke
What a heat! Three perfect records become one as Holder rides an intelligent opening lap to rise up to first, while there was a brutal battle between Lindgren and the luckless Huckenbeck down the back straight on the opening lap won by the Swede.
Fricke looked set to challenge Holder but couldn't keep pace with his compatriot in an enthralling heat.
Heat 7 - Dudek, Vaculik, Thomsen, Kubera
Patryk Dudek is a former world number two and he showed why there! The Pole powers away from the tapes and was never seen again while Thomsen picks up a comfortable second place after overcoming Vaculik on the opening lap.
It's a fast time too - 54.6 seconds as Kubera can't repeat his heat one heroics and finishes last.
Heat 6 - Bewley, Doyle, Michelsen, Kvech
Once again Bewley is a little beaten up after a decent start as Doyle responded in fine style to his fourth place in heat three, cutting across Bewley at turn one then opening the bike up to prevent a challenge from behind.
It's a Boll one-two in those fetching green overalls as Michelsen also jumped Bewley while Kvech remains pointless in a desperately disappointing first two heats.
Heat 5 - Kurtz, Lebedevs, Lambert, Zmarzlik
It's a high-quality lineup and four high-quality laps! Kurtz flew away from the tapes after a quick turnaround in back-to-back heats and Lambert pulled the same move as Holder in heat three to claim second.
Behind there was a battle royale for third, Zmarzlik had better pace but once again just couldn't force an opening against an opponent blocking up the inside line, Lebedevs is rewarded for his staunch defence with a point.
The pacesetters
Holder, Lindgren, Fricke and Kubera were the four heat winners while Lambert and Bewley could only manage a point apiece and Vaculik, Doyle, Kvech and Huckenbeck remain pointless after the opening round.
Heat 4 - Vaculik, Bewley, Fricke, Kurtz
"Best heat of the night!" proclaims Kelvin Tatum, and he's right! The riders were three abreast at times as Bewley made the start but struggled for pace even before banging the fence.
Max Fricke was all over him in the opening two laps and passed on the inside before the Brit bashed the fence across the finish line to allow Kurtz into second.
Heat 3 - Doyle, Dudek, Zmarzlik, Holder
There's a Speedway of Nations feel to this one with Polish and Australian pairs facing off, and it ends 3-3 as Holder cuts back beautifully despite missing the start.
Zmarzlik was all over Dudek in the battle for second but the wildcard protected the inside line well and Doyle couldn't do anything to pass the Poles.
Heat 2 - Lambert, Thomsen, Kvech, Lindgren
Lambert will be hugely disappointed with that. He made the start but failed to block off the outside entering turn three and the tenacious Lindgren takes advantage.
Thomsen caught Lambert lapping on lap three to steal third, he started very well in Landshut but faded through the meet. And Jan Kvech's fall from grace was swift - yesterday's sprint winner was last.
Heat 1 - Lebedevs, Michelsen, Kubera, Huckenbeck
What a first lap by Kubera! The crowd roars as cuts back off the first bend and slingshots past the firestarter Lebedevs up the back straight. Behind, Michelsen is resplendent in green as he sees off Huckenbeck.
Fired up
And the wait is over - the riders are approaching the tapes for heat one! Andzejs Lebedevs, Mikkel Michelsen, Dominik Kubera and Kai Huckenbeck will get us underway, remember the top two riders after 20 heats go straight into the final while the net eight battle it out in the Last Chance Qualifier where only the winner advances.
Catch all the action live on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+!
All to play for
Zmarzlik showed he's still the class of the field in Landshut, after a 2024 season where he won the championship with change spare despite not dominating across the 11 rounds.
And he continues at the top of the standings this season, here's how the points look after a round and a sprint.
1. Bartosz Zmarzlik - 24 points
2. Brady Kurtz - 20
3. Dan Bewley - 19
4. Andzejs Lebedevs - 17
5. Robert Lambert - 13
6. Fredrik Lindgren - 12
7. Dominik Kubera - 11
8. Max Fricke - 10
9. Jan Kvech - 9
10. Jack Holder - 8
11. Anders Thomsen - 7
12. Martin Vaculik - 6
13. Mikkel Michelsen - 4
14 . Jason Doyle - 3
15. Erik Riss - 2
16. Kai Huckenbeck - 1
Not long now...
The Polish national anthem rings out as fans hold up red and white cards to create the national flag in a packed out Narodowy, who will they be cheering to victory in a few hours' time?
Last time out
We're about 10 minutes away from heat one on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+, so there's still time to check out how the final played out last year...
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/05/11/3966398-80522673-2560-1440.jpg)
‘What a ride’ - Doyle takes victory in Speedway GP of Poland in Warsaw
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mark your cards
As the riders are paraded in a fleet of convertible Mercedes, here's the schedule for tonight.
We rattled through the heats in Landshut with a shorter countdown time to tapes, heat five could be a cracker featuring Kurtz, Andzejs Lebedevs, Robert Lambert and Zmarzlik - four of the top five in the world championship standings.
Riders to beat
Jan Kvech came out on top in qualifying yesterday, winning the Sprint off gate three while Brady Kurtz overcame the fast-starting Robert Lambert. Dan Bewley joined Kurtz in closing the gap to Bartosz Zmarzlik at the top of the standings by a point too, can they repeat that in the main event today?
VIP
Brady Kurtz, Max Fricke, Jack Holder and Jason Doyle have the chance to complete a great day for Australian motorsport tonight after Oscar Piastri took pole position for the F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola earlier today.
And Piastri's manager Mark Webber will be celebrating in Warsaw if any of his compatriots do triumph tonight, as he's making a quick pit stop at the Narodowy.
"The Poles love their speedway, they always do it so well in Poland, we love watching it on TV, you guys do a great job," Webber told Greg Hancock on TNT Sports.
"Brady [Kurtz] looking strong, he's matured late but he's looking pretty quick. When the air gets thin you've got to deliver.
"I went to one of my first speedway races in Oxford, I watched it as a young boy in Australia so I have a lot of enjoyment watching such a pure sport."
Hello and welcome!
Grand Prix speedway returned with a bang two weeks ago in Germany and the exciting new format continues tonight at the Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw. This place always delivers - though not for the home crowd as no Polish rider has won here - and Jason Doyle rolled back the years to take victory here 12 years ago.
Can Bartosz Zmarzlik change that tonight? Find out on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ with tapes up in half an hour!
Can Bartosz Zmarzlik change that tonight? Find out on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+ with tapes up in half an hour!
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement