FIM Speedway of Nations final recap - Australia beat Poland to claim glory as Great Britain flounder after Dan Bewley crash
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Updated 04/10/2025 at 20:59 GMT+1
The Marian Rose Motoarena in Poland welcomes the 2025 Speedway of Nations, with all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Last year's edition saw Great Britain take the victory, beating Australia in the Grand Final. GB have booked their place in the final alongside Poland, Sweden and Latvia, and they have been joined by Australia, Denmark and Czech Republic.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Kurtz and Holder reign supreme as Poland's wait continues
Brady Kurtz and Jack Holder were the class of the field as Australia won the 2025 Speedway of Nations, beating hosts Poland in the Grand Final on a dramatic night in Torun.
After they were defeated by Great Britain in last year's final after being the best team in the heats, Australia were the best unit of any team as Holder picked up his second SON gold medal having triumphed in 2022, while Poland’s wait for a first victory in the competition continued.
Poland looked on course to qualify for the Grand Final automatically until they were upset by Denmark, allowing Australia to top the heats instead, and in the race-off to join them Patryk Dudek closed the door on Leon Madsen who could not slow down in time to prevent him ploughing into the Pole as Denmark were on course to make the final showdown.
A furious Madsen was excluded, but Dudek looked to have sustained a wrist injury and could not challenge the Australian pair in the Grand Final as Kurtz found redemption having missed out to Bartosz Zmarzlik in the Speedway Grand Prix by a single point.
Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley's title defence was just getting going when the latter hit the deck battling with Zmarzlik in a pivotal Heat 13. Had Bewley completed the move, he and Lambert would have been in prime position to medal, but instead he was excluded and Great Britain finished second-to-last overall.
Reserve Tom Brennan completed the rest of Bewley’s rides, though that may have been precautionary with the SGP bronze medallist telling an interviewer he was ok after the crash.
Australia are top of the world again
Holder is clutching the trophy on the centre green as 'Advance Australia fair' rings out in the Marian Rose Motoarena in Poland. This is why...
Lemon: Kurtz has been rider of the year
After 14 years at the helm, Lemon has now won SON twice as manager, and is clearly proud of Australia's recent record after a 20-year wait until their first triumph in Vojens.
"The way these guys have been riding, my hardest decision has been who to put in," Lemon said. "Jack and Brady rode tremendous, Jack’s done it before, he’s done it again, he held his nerve and Brady’s just been the rider of the year as far as I’m concerned."
Reserve Jason Doyle, who was also the No. 3 in 2022, did not race in the final but scored 10 points in the semi-final and added: "I can’t say I’m disappointed at all [to not ride], because the boys did the job. First race was a bit hard and they just came through with the goods, without a doubt the best riders here and just blew the roof off this stadium again."
Holder: It was now or never
Jack Holder has never reached the same heights as his brother Chris individually, but he has now achieved twice what the 2012 World Champion could not - triumphing for Australia on the biggest stage.
"Yeah I kept sticking him on the outside so I don’t know what he’s done to him," Holder joked. "I was just gating, I had the inside and BK’s [Kurtz] been riding awesome throughout the whole year, he was just sending it.
"Before we went out for the final we said we’d been training for this since we were nine years old so the time has finally come and yes, world champions."
Kurtz: I'm speechless
From heartbreak three weeks ago for Brady Kurtz, when he won the final Grand Prix of the season but lost the World Championship to Bartosz Zmarzlik by a single point, it was redemption.
"It’s been incredible. I was so disappointed a couple of weeks ago and we didn’t want to be denied again," Kurtz said. "The whole team was awesome, Jack was unbelievable, best team rider in the business, Doyley was there all the time, Mark [Lemon, team boss] not sure what he did but he’s there.
"It’s been unbelievable, it’s such an honour to put this yellow suit on, I’m speechless."
Speedway of Nations overall standings
As we wait to hear from the victors, here is how the entire week has shaken out in Torun.
1. Australia, 2. Poland, 3. Denmark, 4. Sweden, 5. Great Britain, 6. Latvia, 7. Czech Republic, 8. Ukraine, 9. Germany, 10. Norway, 11. France, 12. Finland, 13. Slovenia, 14. Italy, 15. Argentina.
Grand Final - Holder (AUS), Dudek (POL), Kurtz (AUS), Zmarzlik (POL)
Australia are 2025 Speedway of Nations champions!!!
Dudek made the start but Holder was brutal at the first corner, just about holding his ground on the inside and sending the Pole drifting wide. Kurtz then slides through into first and though Zmarzlik pushes, he can't overhaul either Australian!
Deja vu all over again?
Jack Holder and Max Fricke won in 2022, but the Australian pair tonight were beaten by Poland in Heat 2 and lost the 2024 final having led after the heats.
Dudek looks like he's struggling with his wrist, and Zmarzlik hasn't been able to channel his SGP form tonight. In a few minutes we'll know either way.
Grand Final gate selections
Australia get the inside and Kurtz has a little moment to himself before getting on his bike. The decision-making was less agonised this time, here's how they'll line up:
Grand Final - Holder (AUS), Dudek (POL), Kurtz (AUS), Zmarzlik (POL).
Grand Final Qualifier Re-run - Dudek (POL), Zmarzlik (POL), Jepsen Jensen (DEN)
Dudek makes it on his spare bike and completes the heat, meaning Poland are into the Grand Final! Jepsen Jensen's only real chance of making it through was if a Pole had crashed into him and got excluded but he pulls a fantastic overtake around the outside of Zmarzlik.
Poland will face Australia in the final next on TNT Sports 3 and discovery+.
Madsen is out!
He gestures a thumbs down to the camera, and Poland will be into the Grand Final if they can complete the four laps.
Dudek is taking a while to get up too, will we see reserve Piotr Pawlicki make his first appearance of the week in the Grand Final Qualifier? Dudek is holding his wrist.
Grand Final Qualifier - Dudek (POL), Madsen (DEN), Zmarzlik (POL), Jepsen Jensen (DEN)
DUDEK IS DOWN! It's drama in the qualifier, Denmark had the advantage on a 6-3 but as Madsen tried to squeeze up the inside, he made contact with Dudek and the Pole hits the deck.
The result hinges on this decision, Madsen was coming from behind but Dudek closed him out.
Grand Final Qualifier gates decided
Crucially Denmark had the inside gates in Heat 20, and Madsen looked appalled when he was sent to gate two. All of these riders will be in the 2026 Speedway Grand Prix, remember you can watch it live on TNT Sports 3 and discovery+!
Grand Final Qualifier - Dudek (POL), Madsen (DEN), Zmarzlik (POL), Jepsen Jensen (DEN).
Standings - All heats completed
Heat 21 was the first time Australia led all night, but they picked the perfect time for it.
1. Australia - 37 points (advance straight to Grand Final)
2. Poland - 35 (face Denmark in Grand Final Qualifier)
3. Denmark - 34 (face Poland in Grand Final Qualifier)
4. Sweden - 27
5. Great Britain - 24
6. Latvia - 18
7. Czech Republic - 14
Heat 21 - Lambert (GBR), Holder (AUS), Brennan (GBR), Kurtz (AUS)
Australia are into the Grand Final! Holder was ruthless on Brennan off the line and Lambert just missed the start slightly, he tried to reel in second-placed Holder but needed one more lap so Australia are top after the heats!
Heat 20 Re-run - Madsen (DEN), Dudek (POL), Jepsen Jensen (DEN), Zmarzlik (POL)
What a result for Denmark! Dudek nudged Jepsen Jensen well wide on the first bend as Madsen made the best start, but then Jepsen Jensen recovers to pass Zmarzlik!
The world champion was nowhere in that race and if Australia can score six points in the next race, they will go straight to the Grand Final and this heat will be repeated in the Grand Final Qualifier.
Heat 20 - Madsen (DEN), Dudek (POL), Jepsen Jensen (DEN), Zmarzlik (POL)
Zmarzlik's down after a ruthless drift outside by Jepsen Jensen. The collision is at the first corner so it'll almost certainly be all four back as replays show Zmarzlik turned in quite early too.
Heat 19 - Lindgren (SWE), Kolodinskis (LAT), Thorssell (SWE), Kostigovs (LAT)
Thorssell finally comes good, though it won't be enough for Sweden to challenge for a medal after they shone in the semi-final. Lindgren collects his fourth win of the night.
Heat 18 - Holder (AUS), Milik (CZE), Kurtz (AUS), Kvech (CZE)
What a start by Australia! They sandwich Milik on the inside and that was all she wrote -
Standings - 4 heats to go
It's tightening up at the top! Poland race Denmark in Heat 20 while Australia's Ashes face-off against Great Britain in Heat 21 could also be pivotal.
1. Poland (5 heats) - 32 points
2. Denmark (5) - 28
3. Australia (4) - 23
4. Great Britain (5) - 22
5. Sweden (5) - 20
6. Latvia (5) - 16
7. Czech Republic (5) - 12
Heat 17 - Dudek (POL), Lebedevs (LAT), Zmarzlik (POL), Kostigovs (LAT)
This looked like a potential banana skin for Poland with Lebedevs looking good tonight but TNT Sports' Kelvin Tatum says it best - "he missed that by about half an hour".
Zmarzlik wins his third heat of the night, he's only dropped one point to an opponent.
Heat 16 - Lambert (GBR), Lindgren (SWE), Brennan (GBR), Thorsell (SWE)
Brennan gives a good account of himself in his first competitive start of the week, as Sweden continue with Thorsell. But Lindgren is the fastest starter from gate two meaning the result is a 5-4 to GB that helps no one.
Heat 15 - Milik (CZE), Jepsen Jensen (DEN), Kvech (CZE), Madsen (DEN)
Denmark are riding so well as a team and they continue that here! Kvech was ahead of Madsen initially but the two-time SGP silver medalist soon fires himself back into second.
Heat 14 - Lebedevs (LAT), Holder (AUS), Kolodinskis (LAT), Kurtz (AUS)
After that early battering by Poland, Australia record their third successive 7-2 of the night led by Kurtz!
Crucially too, that now means even if the meet does have to be abandoned, we've now passed the threshold to call a result.
Heat 13 Re-run - Dudek (POL), Lambert (GBR), Zmarzlik (POL)
It looked like Lambert had rescued Britain's night when he hit the front and led three laps, but Zmarzlik just kept reeling him in and drifted out wide to ride out Lambert's cutback. 6-3 to Poland and Britain must score maximum points in their last two heats to have any chance.
Heat 13 - Dudek (POL), Lambert (GBR), Zmarzlik (POL), Bewley (GBR)
Bewley's down! It's such a shame as GB were on for an advantage as Lambert led and Bewley battled Zmarzlik, before the pair swung wide and Bewley hit the deck.
The exclusion decision here will be huge, and it will be Bewley - he simply lost control of his bike out in the dirt. That could be Great Britain's title defence over and it's a really tough impact for Bewley as his bike effectively ground to a halt and he slammed into his own handlebars.
Rain is pouring
But the riders are continuing, with Poland v GB next.
Standings - 9 heats to go
It's tightening up at the top!
1. Denmark (4 heats) - 21 points
2. Poland (3) - 19
3. Australia (3) - 16
4. Sweden (3) - 16
5. Great Britain (3) - 14
6. Latvia (3) - 12
7. Czech Republic (4) - 10
Heat 12 - Thorssell (SWE), Madsen (DEN), Lindgren (SWE), Jepsen Jensen (DEN)
That wide line is really starting to develop and Lindgren - who thrived there like Bewley on Wednesday - looks like he's riding it all the way to victory.
Then out of nowhere, Madsen comes sliding up the inside to score another win for Denmark with Thorsell out the back.
Heat 11 - Lambert (GBR), Milik (CZE), Bewley (GBR), Kvech (CZE)
Great Britain have FINALLY arrived! Bewley almost slide out to Germany on the first bend - he found plenty of joy on that wide line in the semi-final - while Lambert started strongly to ensure the they double their points total in a single heat.
Heat 10 - Madsen (DEN), Kolodinskis (LAT), Jepsen Jensen (DEN), Lebedevs (LAT)
Both Danes starts beautifully, but Jepsen Jensen rather ruins it by sliding wide at the second corner. Lebedevs once again takes points off a contender as Madsen wins, Latvia can't get anything going from their second rider.
Riders are already racing out to the tapes for Heat 11 too, as the rain falls we're flying through the heats.
Heat 9 - Holder (AUS), Thorsell (SWE), Kurtz (AUS), Lindgren (SWE)
Elbows OUT in Heat 9! Thorsell and Kurtz clashed on the run to the first turn but it was Holder versus Lindgren for second that was the box office event. Holder brutally shuts down the Swede on the back straight to ensure another Aussie maximum!
Standings - 13 heats to go
And it's grim reading for the champions
1. Poland (3 heats) - 19 points
2. Sweden (2) - 11
3. Denmark (2) - 9
4. Australia (2) - 9
5. Latvia (2) - 5
6. Czech Republic (3) - 8
7. Great Britain (2) - 7
Heat 8 - Bednar (CZE), Dudek (POL), Kvech (CZE), Zmarzlik (POL)
Bednar made fantastic start, he's been doing that all week, yet Poland still recover to take maximum points!
Zmarzlik made it past on the first bend and Dudek just wound it up around the inside for lap after lap until made it into second.
Heat 7 - Lebedevs (LAT), Lambert (GBR), Kostigovs (LAT), Bewley (GBR)
GB are tripping over each other and it allows Lebedevs to win the heat. Lambert and Bewley in third and fourth mean they still take the advantage in Heat 7 but that was an opportunity missed to put massive pressure on the Latvian leader for three laps.
Heat 6 - Holder (AUS), Madsen (DEN), Kurtz(AUS), Jepsen Jensen (DEN)
Australia are BACK! Kurtz bounces back from his last place in Heat 2 and though Jepsen Jensen pushed Holder hard for second, the Aussies scoop up seven points.
GB are up next and must respond in the same style.
Heat 5 - Lindgren (SWE), Dudek (POL), Thorssell (SWE), Zmarzlik (POL)
It's the best race of the night so far (admittedly not much competition) as Bartosz Zmarzlik works hard to overcome Thorssell, who slips to last place! It's advantage Poland at 5-4 despite Lindgren winning his second heat of the night.
It's frustrating for the experienced Thorssell who could've blocked Zmarzlik off on the first lap and just showed the World Champion too much respect.
Lambert: All about the final
In a long track grading break TNT Sports caught up with Robert Lambert - remember you can watch the final in full live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Lambert gives some fighting talk for a team who are joint-last - I'd say the main thing is finishing the heats in the top three but I've never done a lap on a speedway bike so what do I know?
"It’s pretty greasy," Lambert told us. "On the inside where it’s dry and everyone’s riding then the bike’s working but as soon as you come off the corner it’s just sitting there spinning so we’ll make some changes now and hopefully be better in the next one.
The main thing is we have a good setup for the final."
Next up it's Sweden v Poland so one perfect team will fall.
Standings - 17 heats to go
For what it's worth (maybe not too much) - remember one team races twice each block with one exception that we'll get to later.
1. Poland (1 heat) - 7 points
2. Sweden (1) - 7
3. Denmark (1) - 7
4. Czech Republic (2) - 6
5. Latvia (1) - 5
6. Great Britain (1) - 2
7. Australia (1) - 2
Heat 4 - Lebedevs (LAT), Milik (CZE), Kolodinskis (LAT), Kvech (CZE)
It's a slightly comical scene as Bednar's bike goes nowhere off the start line, but Jan Kvech responds in the best way possible by winning the heat. The Latvian pair were a long way back.
Heat 3 - Madsen (DEN), Lambert (GBR), Jepsen Jensen (DEN), Bewley (GBR)
It's disaster for Britain but so impressive by Denmark! So far the start has been crucial as riders struggle to find the quickest line in the other three-and-a-half laps.
It's the third consecutive maximum in the opening three heats led by Michael Jepsen Jensen, while Lambert scores the only British points.
Heat 2 - Dudek (POL), Holder (AUS), Zmarzlik (POL), Kurtz (AUS)
That could be a huge result! In a heat that could be the Grand Final, Zmarzlik cut back to the inside and almost ran into the back of his own teammate and even that couldn't prevent Poland pulling the 7-2 win! Holder picks up the points for Australia.
It's GB up next, they must make a fast start.
Heat 1 – Milik (CZE), Thorsssell (SWE), Kvech (CZE), Lindgren (SWE)
Sweden started their semi-final with a 7-2, and they've done it again here! Lindgren was left out the back on the first bend but found plenty of grip on the back straight and overtook all three opponents to give Sweden the perfect start.
T-2 minutes
The riders are ready to take to track for the first heat, it's Vaclav Milik partnering Jan Kvech for the Czech Republic against Sweden's Jacob Thorssell and Fredrik Lindgren.
Milik's inclusion is interesting - Adam Bubba Bednar was preferred in the semi-final and impressed, winning the Final Qualifier while he top-scored in the barnstorming under-21 SON2 final last night.
Can GB do it?
The key to winning the Speedway of Nations is avoiding last-place finishes so Robert Lambert, who's just been introduced to the crowd, looks like the key rider for Great Britain tonight.
Dan Bewley was only beaten once on Wednesday while Lambert didn't have the same raw speed, though this is home track and the change in conditions should suit both riders.
Meet the teams
Here are the riders, remember just because a rider is listed as number three, it doesn't mean they won't have a key part to play.
For example, Vaclav Milik only raced once for the Czech Republic in their semi-final, as young Adam Bubba Bednar starred instead.
Czech Republic: 1. Vaclav Milik, 2. Jan Kvech (captain), 3. Adam Bubba Bednar.
Sweden: 1. Jacob Thorssell, 2. Fredrik Lindgren (captain), 3. Timo Lahti.
Poland: 1. Patryk Dudek, 2. Bartosz Zmarzlik (captain), 3. Piotr Pawlicki.
Australia: 1. Brady Kurtz, 2. Jack Holder (captain), 3. Jason Doyle.
Denmark: 1. Leon Madsen, 2. Michael Jepsen Jensen, 3. Mikkel Michelsen (captain).
Great Britain: 1. Robert Lambert (captain), 2. Dan Bewley, 3. Tom Brennan.
Latvia: 1. Andzejs Lebedevs (captain), 2. Jevgenijs Kostigovs, 3. Daniils Kolodinskis.
Doyle: All to play for
The 2017 World Champion said racing for his country is even more pressure than racing in the Speedway Grand Prix, he's the Australian reserve today and caught up with TNT Sports:
"It’s an honour to ride for your country and the boys are going to show tonight that they wear their heart on their sleeve. It’s going to be a difficult meeting definitely, the track’s a little bit different now they’ve had a bit of rain.
So it’s all up for grabs."
Last time out
Great Britain are the defending champions after downing Australia in last year’s Grand Final, with Robert Lambert and Dan Bewley finishing first and second against Jack Holder and Brady Kurtz.
Kurtz and Holder are back for this year’s event with Jason Doyle also in attendance as the number three rider - he was the reserve when Holder and Max Fricke won the 2022 SON for Australia.
Denmark beat Australia in their semi-final last year but slumped in the final, finishing sixth out of seven teams while Latvia scooped up the wooden spoon so will be hoping for better tonight. Meanwhile the Czech Republic are the fresh faces in the final after they were eliminated in the semi-finals in Manchester.
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Highlights: Lambert and Bewley lead Great Britain to Speedway Of Nations final win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Rain, rain go away
It's a wet night in Poland but the Marian Rose Motoarena's roof mean we should be good to go in 20 minutes as scheduled. The covers have just been lifted from the inside of the track but the conditions are definitely different from the semi-finals earlier this week as will that benefit Great Britain, who struggled on Wednesday?
How does it work?
Tonight’s semi-final features seven teams and takes place over 21 heats, and each team has three riders.
Two are named as starters and the third one is in reserve but in practice each team manager can put any of their riders in any of their heats, and can put either rider on either of their team’s allocated gate in that heat.
Each heat features two riders from two countries facing off while importantly the points system first-to-last is 4-3-2-0 (rather than 3-2-1-0 like in the Premiership or Grand Prix), which encourages team riding.
Each country races six heats over the course of the evening, and faces all the other finalists once. Then the top-scoring team after 21 heats goes straight into the Grand Final while the second and third-place teams race off to join them in the four-lap, winner-takes-all showdown.
Hello and Welcome!
After a thrilling week of non-stop action in Torun, it's time for the main event - the Speedway of Nations final.
Great Britain defend their crown but face an uphill battle at the Marian Rose Motoarena as Australia, Poland and Sweden all look capable of taking victory.
Bartosz Zmarzlik is in the Polish team chasing their first ever SON triumph, the build-up is live now on TNT Sports 3 and discovery+ before the first heat gets underway at 18:00 UK time.
Follow the action live from 18:00.
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