Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1119655
IN THE WIND P48 Madsen, Dudek Top Warsaw World Speedway D anish star Leon Madsen insisted he has FIM Speedway World Champion- ship gold in his sights, but he's ready to bide his time after winning in Warsaw, Poland, May 18. The Czestochowa rider topped the Boll Warsaw FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Poland podium at a sold-out PGE Narodowy after pounc- ing on a Fredrik Lindgren error to hit the front and win the final. The Swede, Lindgren, was second with home hero Patryk Dudek third, as the Pole topped the World Championship standings with his 16-point haul. Madsen didn't win any of his regular heats, but made it into the semis on eight points, before finishing second to Niels-Kristian Iversen in semi-final two to reach his first SGP final. On his first SGP appearance since the 2013 Torun SGP, Madsen got his first win of the night when it mattered most, and the European cham- pion celebrated wildly with a 50,000-plus crowd. Madsen said, "I am not here just to take part. I am here to fight for the championship. It was a good round tonight, and I clocked a lot of points. If I can be consistent all season, things could be quite good." It was his third straight War- saw final for Lindgren who was delighted to leave the PGE Narodowy cauldron of noise with another podium finish. "Overall I am very happy," Lindgren said. "I really enjoy rac- ing here in front of this crowd. It is intense, and you have to give 100 percent for all four laps. I am disappointed not to win after the start I made in the final. I made a huge mistake on lap two to lose the winning position." Dudek's night was far from easy. He may have topped the World Championship standings, but he did it the hard way after an awkward crash in race 14. "I would like to say a big, big thank you to the fans," Dudek said. "This night was tough for me and the season has been tough for me. Today was great. I want to say a big thanks to my team, my family, and my spon- sors. I hope to stay in the same position at the next round. But we will see." American John Hancock is not competing in the champion- ship this year. Earlier this month, Hancock revealed that his wife, Jennie, is dealing with cancer. "She has a challenging road ahead!" Hancock said. "My 100 percent priority is being there for her and our boys and until things go back to normal. I will take a break from racing in order to give her my everything." John Hipkiss Final 1. Leon Madsen 2. Fredrik Lindgren 3. Patryk Dudek 4. Niels-Kristian Iversen 5. Bartosz Smektala (L-R) Madsen, Patryk Dudek and Niels-Kristian Iverson fight for supremacy in Poland.