Bednar: Speedway is sport where you can beat anyone

Adam Bednar is the youngest participant in this year’s SEC Challenge. The Czech rider secured his place in Lonigo thanks to a very strong performance in Austria.

You qualified for Lonigo through the meeting in Mureck. How would you sum it up?

- It was my first time riding on that track, but Martin Kurz, my manager, used to race there with Antonín Kašper. Despite that, I showed that I can be quick even on a circuit that is completely new to me.

It could be said that the riders who joined you on the podium were familiar faces. You ride alongside Paweł Przedpełski at Gezet Stal Gorzów, while Jan Kvěch is your teammate in the Czech national squad.

- Exactly. The podium in Mureck was filled with riders I know very well. In fact, the very next day I raced alongside Paweł in a league match in Leszno.

It is no secret that you were supposed to compete in last year’s qualifying round in France, but you did not attend. Why?

- The round in Lamothe-Landerron was originally supposed to be the one I entered, but after discussions with the Czech federation we decided to skip it because I was scheduled to race in another event on the day of the SEC Challenge. However, I then suffered an injury, so in the end none of that really mattered.

Despite your young age, you have already beaten stars such as Artiom Laguta, Bartosz Zmarzlik, and Martin Vaculik in competition. Yet you remain firmly grounded.

- Speedway is sport where you can beat anyone. The most important thing is your mindset and staying calm. You cannot go into a race thinking that because a world champion is lining up next to you, you have no chance. Self-belief is essential.

You have already had the opportunity to ride in Lonigo. What can people expect from you in the SEC Challenge?

- This will be my first competitive meeting on that track, but I have had the chance to train there. I am very curious about the experience and we will see whether the track is any different from what I encountered in practice. I will do everything I can to put myself in contention for qualification.