Dan Bewley surprises to top qualifying at Speedway Grand Prix in Gorzow, Bartosz Zmarzlik fifth

ByEurosport

Updated 25/06/2022 at 13:31 GMT

There was a surprise name at the top of the charts in qualifying in Gorzow as England’s Dan Bewley produced a blistering run to topple his more fancied rivals. Bewley will have first choice of starting number for Saturday’s Grand Prix, with the main action getting underway on discovery+ from 17:30 BST. Championship leader Bartosz Zmarzlik will have fifth pick at his home track.

'He's having a lot of fun!' - Bewley tops qualification at SGP Gorzow

Dan Bewley topped the timesheets in qualifying to secure starting number advantage at the FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Gorzow, Poland.

It marked a return to form for Bewley, who had faded in the championship battle since impressive showings in the opening two rounds.

The Englishman exploited a wider line and peak track conditions to clock 13.944secs and become the only rider to crack the 14-second barrier.

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Bewley amusingly asked the race organiser which draw he should take as first pick, quickly deciding to side with the man on the microphone and select No. 5.

Martin Vaculik (14.036s) and Jason Doule (14.055) took second and third respectively, with championship leader Bartosz Zmarzlik in fifth (14.148s) on his home track, as they earned the right for favourable draws.

With track conditions worsening after the first runs, the riders used the remaining time on track to make adjustments ahead of the main action later on Saturday.

In the build-up to the meeting at Edward Jancarz Stadium, Zmarzlik and his former coach Boguslaw Nowak detailed his journey on the latest episode of Eurosport’s Power of Sport.

It is the second of four rounds in Poland on the 2022 calendar.

HOW QUALIFYING WORKS

Qualifying takes place on the same day as the race and allows the rider to secure first choice of starting number.

Every rider will start from each of the four gates at least once, but will start from one gate twice. Qualifying practice provides the opportunity to ensure they have the right starting positions at the right time.

Riders take to the track in groups of three, trying to clock the fastest laps in three blocks of two minutes. The rider who records the fastest lap is rewarded with first choice of starting number for the event. Second place chooses next and this continues right down to 16th place selecting last.