Kai Huckenbeck got the "wild card" for 2nd round of Speedway Euro Championship, which will take place in Güstrow. Last year, thanks to his phenomenal racing, "Hucki" ended at the rostrum. How will it be this time?
Just like in the last year, also now, Kai Huckenbeck was given a "wild card". Beginning of last year's round was quite poor for German rider, however in the second phase of the meeting, he found a right rhythym and impressed the German crowd. What's more, "Hucki" got lucky and local hero made the rostrum. Fans gathered at the stadium and in front of their TVs have still been reminiscing last year's round, which was filled with rain. With every next heat, track in Güstrow was changing its specifics, comparing to the practice session, which was taken earlier on that day. That change of track's condition was the main reason of troubles for all the riders.
- I had a poor beginning. Weather was changing, track got wet. It was hard to find a right speed and ride a bike. After two series, I changed my bike and it was a bull's eye. With support of my home crowd, I managed to fight the right setups and everything changed - said Kai Huckenbeck, who after 8 heats, was... one place up from the bottom.
German rider won two next heats and quickly got through to the 5th position in general. At the end, he managed to get two more points and ended the main series at the 3rd position. In the race-off heat, Huckenbeck came behind Janusz Kołodziej and Przemysław Pawlicki and did not qualify to the big final.
- Later on, I had a lot of luck - I didn't go through to the final, but even though, because of rules, I made the rostrum - said fans' favourite. - It was a great evening in Güstrow. This place, this stadium and these fans - they were all fantastic.
Kai Huckenbeck is a hope of the German speedway. Born in Werlte, 24-year old rider has been improving with every year. His good disposition was also noticed in Poland, where "Hucki" signed a contract with team from Grudziądz, starting in the top Polish league level. This season has been very good for Kai. German has been noting good performances in both individual and team meetings. What's more, he's a leader of the City Team - starting in the Speedway Best Pairs series.
Despite his young age, Huckenbeck has already two gold medals of the Individual German Championship. First reached in 2013, while being a junior. Back then, there was nobody giving him a chance among the favourites for gold.
Reserve riders for SEC in Güstrow will be: Erik Riss and Mathias Bartz.
Official starting list:
1. Vaclav Milik #13 (Czech Rep.)
2. Przemysław Pawlicki #59 (Poland)
3. Adrian Miedziński #20 (Poland)
4. Andreas Jonsson #100 (Sweden)
5. Krzysztof Kasprzak #507 (Poland)
6. Andzejs Lebedevs #129 (Latvia)
7. Martin Smolinski #84 (Germany)
8. Kai Huckenbeck #16 (Germany)
9. Mateusz Szczepaniak #58 (Poland)
10. Nicolai Klindt #29 (Denmark)
11. Kacper Gomólski #44 (Poland)
12. Grigorij Laguta #7 (Russia)
13. Nicki Pedersen #12 (Denmark)
14. Leon Madsen #66 (Denmark)
15. Kenneth Bjerre #91 (Denmark)
16. Artem Laguta #2 (Russia)
17. Erik Riss (Germany)
18. Mathias Bartz (Germany)