For the ninth time, Güstrow will host a round of the TAURON SEC. Over the years, the German venue has become the most frequently visited track in the history of the Individual European Championships.
The Speedway Euro Championship first made its appearance at Plauer Chaussee 4 ten years ago, in 2014. Since then, with the exception of the 2015 and 2020 seasons, a round of the Individual European Championships has been held here every year.
The only rider who has triumphed in at least two rounds held at this track is Janusz Kołodziej. The Pole achieved this in 2022 and 2023. Interestingly, over the course of the two tournaments held at the local track, the Polish representative lost only three points. It is worth mentioning that the bronze medalist of the TAURON SEC 2023 stood on the podium in Güstrow a decade ago. At that time, he had to acknowledge the superiority of two Danes – Nicki Pedersen and Peter Kildemand.
Leon Madsen also has great memories of this stadium. The two-time Individual European Champion stood on the second step of the podium during three consecutive rounds held in Güstrow – this occurred from 2018 to 2021.
It was here in 2014 that the current interim leader of the competition, Andzejs Lebedevs, made his debut in the Speedway Euro Championship. Three years later, during the second round of SEC 2017, he finished in second place. It is also worth noting that last year, the Latvian broke a six-year streak of not finishing within the top three and stood on the lowest step of the podium in the second round of the cycle.
The Güstrow venue also holds sentimental value for British riders in the TAURON SEC. It was here in 2018 that Robert Lambert claimed his first victory in the Individual European Championships. For the Brit, this was a significant achievement that marked his rapid development and entry into the world elite.
Only once in a round held at this venue has a home representative stood on the podium. Eight years ago, after a competition interrupted after five heats due to rain, Kai Huckenbeck finished in third place. One of the most decorated German riders has competed in a total of eight rounds held in Güstrow. The regular participant of the FIM SGP 2024 finished four of those rounds within the top six, though he never reached the final heat. Despite this, "Hucki" is the only German who has managed to finish a round of the Individual European Championships on the podium.
Apart from Huckenbeck, during the eight rounds of the TAURON Speedway Euro Championship held in Güstrow so far, nine German representatives has raced in at least one race, but only one of them finished the competition in the top ten. That was Kevin Wölbert, who, with eight points, finished ninth in 2018. The Individual German Champion will have the opportunity next Saturday to improve on his result from years ago.
Starting List for the Third Round of TAURON SEC 2024 in Güstrow:
1. Anders Thomsen (Denmark)
2. Kevin Wölbert (Germany)
3. Dimitri Berge (France)
4. Andzejs Lebedevs (Latvia)
5. Timo Lahti (Sweden)
6. Rasmus Jensen (Denmark)
7. Janusz Kołodziej (Poland)
8. Jacob Thorssell (Sweden)
9. Norick Blödorn (Germany)
10. Piotr Pawlicki (Poland)
11. Patryk Dudek (Poland)
12. Kacper Woryna (Poland)
13. Jevgenijs Kostigovs (Latvia)
14. Mikkel Michelsen (Denmark)
15. Maciej Janowski (Poland)
16. Leon Madsen (Denmark)
17. Lukas Baumann (Germany)
18. Patrick Hyjek (Germany)
Tickets for the third round of the TAURON Speedway Euro Championship 2024, taking place on August 24 in Güstrow, are available at http://www.mcguestrow.de.