Speedway GP of Denmark recap - Bartosz Zmarzlik crowned world champion despite Brady Kurtz winning in Vojens

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The 2025 Speedway Grand Prix season reached its climax in Vojens at the Grand Prix of Denmark on Saturday evening. The action unfolded on TNT Sports and discovery+, and Poland’s Bartosz Zmarzlik was crowned world champion for a sixth time - and fourth in succession - despite victory on the night going to his closest rival, Australian star Brady Kurtz.

Kurtz wins final in Vojens but Zmarzlik crowned world champion for sixth time

Video credit: TNT Sports

ZMARZLIK WINS WORLD TITLE, DESPITE BEING BEATEN BY KURTZ

Bartosz Zmarzlik clinched his sixth World Championship title after finishing second in the Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark.

The 30-year-old also became the first rider to win four consecutive world titles.

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However, the Polish rider was pushed all the way for victory by series rookie Brady Kurtz - who finished a single point behind in the overall standings.

Kurtz also made the history books in Denmark by winning his fifth consecutive Grand Prix.

Both riders came into the 10th and final race of 2025 locked in a tight battle for series victory and finished first and second in the heats to book their places in the final.

Despite Kurtz leading the final from the inside gate he was followed by Zmarzlik whose second-placed finish was enough to seal the title.

Wildcard rider Michael Jepsen Jensen almost upset the battle after making the final and briefly challenging Zmarzlik.

However, as Kurtz celebrated his Grand Prix victory it was Zmarzlik behind who won the series overall.

British rider Dan Bewley also had reason to celebrate after clinching a bronze medal, after seeing off a challenge from Fredrik Lindgren for third place overall.

Kurtz wins final in Vojens but Zmarzlik crowned world champion for sixth time

Video credit: TNT Sports

‘AN UNBELIEVABLE FEELING,’ SAYS ZMARZLIK

Zmarzlik says that winning his record-equalling sixth World Championship is an "unbelievable feeling".

He said: "This is an amazing day, an amazing time.

"I’m really happy because the six times for the gold medal is really hard work for us, my family and my team.

"Every year is different and gives you new challenges and the riders are faster. In nine years in GP this is my eighth medal. It’s an unbelievable feeling for me.

"Four years being the top one is really hard."

Bartosz Zmarzlik znów najlepszy na świecie

Image credit: Getty Images

FINAL STANDINGS

After 10 rounds of this year’s FIM Speedway Grand Prix. Here are the final standings:

1 Bartosz Zmarzlik 183 points
2 Brady Kurtz 182 points
3 Dan Bewley 142 points
4 Fredrik Lindgren 134 points
5 Jack Holder 118 points
6 Andzejs Lebedevs 98 points
7 Robert Lambert 82 points
8 Max Fricke 79 points
9 Mikkel Michelsen 70 points
10 Jason Doyle 66 points
11 Anders Thomsen 66 points
12 Dominik Kubera 61 points
13 Jan Kvech 58 points
14 Martin Vaculik 51 points
15 Kai Huckenbeck 42 points

BEWLEY REFLECTS ON BRONZE

British rider Bewley clinched bronze in the overall standings with a fourth position on the night.

He said: "Not bad, I just want to thank everyone for their support all season.

"It has been awesome. Congrats to the two boys Bartosz and Brady, they have been a pretty good battle this year.

"I’m pretty happy with it. It has been a solid season."

‘MY LIFE IS DIFFERENT NOW,’ SAYS KURTZ

Rookie Kurtz is the first rider to win five consecutive Grand Prix races.

He said: "It’s absolutely amazing to think that we’ve won five in a row.

"It has been an incredible season and my team has been unbelievable from start to finish, no faults from them. It has been one hell of a year, my life is a bit different now.

"I’m happy to get another win on the board. It’s not the win I wanted today, but still a good job."

Brady Kurtz during the ATPI FIM Speedway Grand Prix Round 4 at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester, on June 13, 2025

Image credit: Getty Images

ZMARZLIK EQUALS RECORD

A sixth world title for Bartosz Zmarzlik puts him equal in the record books alongside Tony Rickardsson and Ivan Mauger. However, the Polish rider is the only person to win four consecutive world titles.

Zmarzlik will go into the winter slightly worried as Brady Kurtz has won the last four consecutive Grand Prix races as a rookie.

FINAL – BEWLEY, JEPSEN JENSEN, ZMARZLIK, KURTZ

Zmarzlik has to finish in the top two to win the title. Kurtz gets a good start and then squeezes through a gap to lead. However, Zmarzlik holds onto second position and is crowned the world champion.

Kurtz wins the Grand Prix but Zmarzlik wins the championship by a single point in second and Jepsen Jensen is third.

Kurtz wins final in Vojens but Zmarzlik crowned world champion for sixth time

Video credit: TNT Sports

FINAL – GATE SELECTION

Bewley outside; Jepsen Jensen gate three; Zmarzlik second gate; Kurtz inside gate

LCQ 2 – MICHELSEN, DOYLE, LINDGREN, BEWLEY

Bewley gets the quickest start from the inside and then almost loses his bike on the opening straight. Despite his troubles Bewley holds of Lindgren in a battle for third overall. It is Bewley who hangs on and books his final spot and third place overall.

LCQ 1 – LAMBERT, VACULIK, LEBEDEVS, JEPSEN JENSEN

The winner goes into the final. Jepsen Jensen again gets the quickest start from the inside gate. Lebedevs is desperately trying to pass the wildcard.

However, it is Jepsen Jensen who delights the home crowd and books his place in the final.

STANDINGS AFTER HEATS

After five rides for each competitor here are the standings from the heats:

1 Bartosz Zmarzlik 13 points – qualified for final
2 Brady Kurtz 12 points – qualified for final
3 Andzejs Lebedevs 12 points
4 Fredrik Lindgren 10 points
5 Dan Bewley 9 points
6 Michael Jepsen Jensen 8 points
7 Mikkel Michelsen 8 points
8 Robert Lambert 8 points
9 Martin Vaculik 7 points
10 Jason Doyle 7 points – last qualifier for LCQ
11 Jack Holder 6 points
12 Kai Huckenbeck 5 points
13 Max Fricke 5 points
14 Anders Thomsen 4 points
15 Dominik Kubera 3 points
16 Jan Kvech 3 points

HEAT 20 – VACULIK, THOMSEN, HOLDER, MICHELSEN

The final heat from the qualification races. Michelsen starts well from gate two as Vaculik has a mechanical problem. Michelsen holds his lead ahead of Holder and Thomsen in third.

A win for the Danish rider will secure his LCQ spot.

HEAT 19 – DOYLE, FRICKE, HUCKENBECK, BEWLEY

Bewley could have sneaked into the final with a win and started from gate number three. Doyle starts quickest before being overtaken by Huckenbeck.

A nightmare ride for Bewley who is left languishing in fourth. Huckenbeck wins after fending off Doyle and Fricke finishes third.

HEAT 18 – JEPSEN JENSEN, KVECH, ZMARZLIK, LAMBERT

Zmarzlik can go straight to the final with a win. The watered track was not favoured by Kurtz following grading.

Jepsen Jensen leads as Zmarzlik has to charge through from the back. The world champion spots a gap off the fence and pulls through into second. Zmarzlik puts pressure on Jepsen Jensen who holds on to win and Kvech in third.

The second place puts Zmarzlik into the final.

‘Really put it on the line’ – Zmarzlik recovers from horror Heat 18 start to book spot in final

Video credit: TNT Sports

HEAT 17 – KUBERA, LEBEDEVS, LINDGREN, KURTZ

Lebedevs is fastest away from gate two as Kurtz has to fight from third. Kurtz is able to pass Kubera for third but has lost ground on Lindgren.

Lebedevs takes his third win of the evening, with Lindgren in second and Kurtz third.

A quicker race time puts Kurtz above Lebedevs in the standings.

STANDINGS AFTER FOUR RIDES EACH

After four rides for each competitor here are the standings:

Bartosz Zmarzlik 11 points
Brady Kurtz 11 points
Andzejs Lebedevs 9 points
Dan Bewley 9 points
Fredrik Lindgren 8 points
Robert Lambert 8 points
Martin Vaculik 7 points

HEAT 16 – VACULIK, FRICKE, ZMARZLIK, KURTZ

Zmarzlik is left stranded on the inside as Kurtz comes flying past him on the second turn. The Australian keeps pulling away from Zmarzlik in second and Fricke is third.

‘In a class of their own’ – Kurtz gets better of Zmarzlik in Heat 16

Video credit: TNT Sports

HEAT 15 – LAMBERT, DOYLE, LINDGREN, THOMSEN

Doyle takes advantage of gate two and takes the fastest start. However, Lindgren carries speed into the second turn and takes the lead. A big battle results in Lambert passing Doyle for second late on, as Lindgren wins the heat.

HEAT 14 – JEPSEN JENSEN, LEBEDEVS, HOLDER, BEWLEY

Lebedevs in on eight points so another win would put him in a good position to qualify for the final. Jepsen Jensen from the inside starts quickest. Holder is in pursuit and then makes an error and falls back.

Bewley comes through and tries to challenge the leader, but can’t find a gap past the wildcard and has to settle for second. Lebedevs drops points in third.

HEAT 13 – KUBERA, KVECH, HUCKENBECK, MICHELSEN

Once again gate two is the quickest away for Huckenbeck. However, Michelsen is in quick pursuit and takes the lead from the inside on the third turn.

The Danish rider is a clear winner from Huckenbeck in second and Kvech in third.

STANDINGS AFTER THREE RIDES EACH

After three rides for each competitor here are the standings:

Bartosz Zmarzlik 9 points
Andzejs Lebedevs 8 points
Brady Kurtz 8 points
Martin Vaculik 7 points
Dan Bewley 7 points
Robert Lambert 6 points
Fredrik Lindgren 5 points

HEAT 12 – VACULIK, KVECH, LINDGREN, BEWLEY

Gate two is again the best as Vaculik gets the better of Bewley for the lead. The British rider has good speed but can’t find a way past Vaculik who hangs on to win. Bewley settles for second and Kvech third.

HEAT 11 – MICHELSEN, DOYLE, ZMARZLIK, LEBEDEVS

Zmarzlik once again gets a perfect start and lead from start to finish. Lebedevs is left chasing behind in second, while Doyle passes Michelsen for third.

That’s three wins from three for Zmarzlik who looks untouchable tonight.

HEAT 10 – JEPSEN JENSEN, KURTZ, THOMSEN, HUCKENBECK

Thomsen shows the speed from gate two. However, the Danish rider opens the door and Kurtz comes through to take the lead on the second turn.

Kurtz is clear in the lead ahead of a manic battle behind. Jepsen Jensen, on a new bike, finishes second and Thomsen is third.

HEAT 9 – KUBERA, FRICKE, HOLDER, LAMBERT

Lambert fires off the line from gate two and takes an unassailable lead. Australians Holder and Fricke are battling for second before the latter makes a mistake.

Lambert takes a clear win ahead of Holder and Fricke in third.

STANDINGS AFTER TWO HEATS EACH

After two heats for each rider here are the standings:

1 Bartosz Zmarzlik 6 points
2 Andzejs Lebedevs 6 points
3 Dan Bewley 5 points
4 Brady Kurtz 5 points
5 Fredrik Lindgren 5 points
6 Martin Vaculik 4 points

HEAT 8 – VACULIK, LEBEDEVS, HUCKENBECK, LAMBERT

Huckenbeck jumps too early from the start and breaks the tapes. The German is disqualified from the heat. Lambert is also given a warning after also starting early but will take the re-start.

Reserve rider Knudsen starts in the place of Huckenbeck. Vaculik gets away from the re-start quickest before being passed by Lebedevs.

Lambert is also carrying good speed but can’t pass Lebedevs for the win. Vaculik finishes third.

HEAT 7 – DOYLE, KVECH, HOLDER, KURTZ

Three Australians in the seventh heat, including championship contender Kurtz. It is Kurtz who storms away from the second gate. Doyle comes under pressure for second from fellow Aussie Holder.

Kurtz wins his first heat of the evening, Doyle finishes second and Holder third.

HEAT 6 – JEPSEN JENSEN, FRICKE, LINDGREN, MICHELSEN

A close heat sees Lindgren take control. Michelsen is left content in second and Fricke in third. Jepsen Jensen loses ground after making a few small mistakes.

HEAT 5 – KUBERA, THOMSEN, ZMARZLIK, BEWLEY

Bewley on the inside makes a mistake and nearly loses his bike before running out wide. The mistake opens the door for Zmarzlik.

Bewley comes fighting back but it’s Zmarzlik who wins ahead of his British rival and Kubera in third.

FIRST HEAT WINNERS

Following the first set of heats here are the early leaders.

1 Bartosz Zmarzlik 3 points
2 Andzejs Lebedevs 3 points
3 Dan Bewley 3 points
4 Martin Vaculik 3 points

HEAT 4 – BEWLEY, MICHELSEN, KURTZ, LAMBERT

Kurtz from gate one and struggles away from the line. All four riders pull alongside each other through the first straight. It’s Bewley who has the quickest line and lead from Kurtz and Lambert.

Bewley is clear and Kurtz sees off Lambert for second.

HEAT 3 – ZMARZLIK, LINDGREN, HOLDER, HUCKENBECK

The defending world champion is in action for the first time and is in gate three. Zmarzlik has raw speed away from the line and takes a clear lead early on. Lindgren is left battling with Holder for second and holds off the Australian.

HEAT 2 – THOMSEN, FRICKE, KVECH, LEBEDEVS

Lebedevs takes the lead from Thomsen with a lovely move on the second turn. He races away with the win as Thomsen is comfortable in second and Fricke in third.

HEAT 1- KUBERA, JEPSEN JENSEN, DOYLE, VACULIK

Kubera leads from the inside lane on the opening lap. However, Vaculik responds with more speed on the outside and takes the lead. Doyle and Kubera nudge as they battle into the last lap. Vaculik narrowly wins ahead of Kubera and then Doyle in third.

CAN BEWLEY SEAL SERIES PODIUM FINISH?

The British rider holds third position overall coming into tonight’s final round. Bewley has a five-point lead overall on the experienced Fredrik Lindgren so will have to produce an excellent evening of racing to hold his position.

Dan Bewley during round 4 of the SGP 2025 in Manchester, UK

Image credit: Getty Images

‘LET’S GET ON WITH IT,’ SAYS KUTZ

Brady Kurtz is ready to ‘get on with it’ as the rookie pursues a maiden world title.

"It’s nice to be here at an iconic speedway venue, I haven’t done a lot of riding here so hopefully I’ve learnt a few things in practice," said Kurtz.

"The track was really nice, let’s get on with it. I’m hoping for the best."

Brady Kurtz during the ATPI FIM Speedway Grand Prix Round 4 at the National Speedway Stadium in Manchester, on June 13, 2025

Image credit: Getty Images

ZMARZLIK HAS ‘NO STRESS’ AHEAD OF DECIDER

Bartosz Zmarzlik says that he has ‘no stress’ as he holds a three-point championship lead heading into the final round. The Polish rider is hoping to win his sixth world title tonight in Denmark.

"I’ve been waiting for this today," said Zmarzlik.

"I have no stress, but a good moment. I’m happy about this. I remember when I was very young I was thinking about maybe being world champion and at this moment I have five. I’m still young."

Grand Prix Danii Vojens 2025: Bartosz Zmarzlik czwarty w kwalifikacjach

Image credit: Newspix

BEWLEY QUALIFIES QUICKEST

There were no series points available in this afternoon’s qualification. However, Dan Bewley showed that he will be one to beat tonight by winning both of his duels and qualifying quickest.

HIGHLIGHTS: KURTZ WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT GP

Brady Kurtz claimed his fourth successive GP win at the last round in Wroclaw.

Kurtz also moved within three points of the reigning champion Bartosz Zmarzlik ahead of tonight's final round

Kurtz wins fourth straight GP in 'absolutely incredible' Wroclaw final

Video credit: TNT Sports

OVERALL STANDINGS

All is to play for going into tonight’s final round. The overall standings coming into the 10th round of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix are as follows:

1 Bartosz Zmarzlik 165 points
2 Brady Kurtz 162 points
3 Dan Bewley 128 points
4 Fredrik Lindgren 123 points
5 Jack Holder 112 points
6 Andzejs Lebedevs 86 points
7 Max Fricke 75 points
8 Robert Lambert 72 points
9 Anders Thomsen 63 points
10 Mikkel Michelsen 62 points
11 Dominik Kubera 59 points
12 Jason Doyle 57 points
13 Jan Kvech 57 points
14 Martin Vaculik 44 points
14 Kai Huckenbeck 37 points

GOOD EVENING

Hello and welcome to another night of exciting racing at the FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Vojens, Denmark. Tapes are up at 18:00 GMT

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Watch and stream the 2025 Speedway Grand Prix season live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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