Mateusz Szczepaniak isn’t done with surprising us. A rider from Ostrów gets another good season on his account, and his starts in this year’s Speedway Euro Championship edition are proving him to be one of the pretendents to victory
After a good start in Toruń resulting in nine points for him, Szczepaniak decided to fight for his place in SEC 2017 top five. It was hard to predict what could Szczepaniak bring to the table, as it was his first appearance on the German track. Throughout the second round of SEC Szczepaniak was doing well and therefore he’s on fifth position in general classification. He’s still two points behind third Vaclav Milik.
- Only one point ahead of Andreas Jonsson and two points to Vaclav Milik and a place on the podium. You have to fight for every single point, since everyone is doing so well. I would love to stay in the top five and hold my place in the SEC for the next year’s edition, but the most important thing for me is to perform with pleasure and to win heats – said Mateusz Szczepaniak.
In spite of good season and sure promotion to the Speedway Euro Championship, not everyone was sure about Szczepaniak winning gold in the cycle. As the rider says, his results are showing that hard work pays off.
- I don’t want to prove myself to anyone. I’d rather prove to myself that I’m able to keep my level and I believe that my skills are really good. I’ve got a good season and I work hard in order to be able to perform nicely in the next starts. I don’t look far in the future. Next thing that comes is Hallstavik and that’s all I’m looking forward to – adds 30-year-old rider.
Mateusz Szczepaniak seemingly got familiar with other riders performing in SEC 2017. His brave attacks make Szczepaniak’s style not only effective, but enjoyable to watch as well. Troughout the last round of Euro Championship taking place in Gustrow, Szczepaniak was keeping close to the promotion to the final.
- I don’t think about about getting one particular place. I just want to be proud of myself after the competition. I made a mistake in Gustrow and I lost my chance to advance to the finals. I want to concentrate a bit better in Hallstavik. When I’m standing in front of the tape, I want to win – says younger Szczepaniak.
Third round of SEC will take place in Sweden. Ten years have passed since Szczepaniak was starting here the last time.
- Last time I was competing in Hallstavik was 10 years ago, when I was a junior. This track is not easy to ride on, so the start and lack of mistakes will be the most important things. I hope that I will end up liking this place – said Szczepaniak.
The riders will be competing for the third time in Hallstavik, on August 5th. Tickets for the match are available on www.bit.ly/SEC_HALLSTAVIK.
The final of the cycle will take place on September 16th in Lublin. Tickets are available on
www.bit.ly/SEC_LUBLIN.
The startlist of third round of SEC, Hallstavik, August 5th, 17:00:
1. Przemysław Pawlicki #59 (Poland)
2. Artem Laguta #2 (Russia)
3. Andrey Kudryashov #9 (Russia)
4. Vaclav Milik #13 (Czech Republic)
5. Leon Madsen #66 (Denmark)
6. Mikkel Bech #177 (Denmark)
7. Martin Smolinski #84 (Germany)
8. Mateusz Szczepaniak #58 (Poland)
9. Adrian Miedziński #20 (Poland)
10. Jacob Thorssell #16 (Sweden)
11. Krzysztof Kasprzak #507 (Poland)
12. Andreas Jonsson #100 (Sweden)
13. Michael Jepsen Jensen #52 (Denmark)
14. Kenneth Bjerre #91 (Denmark)
15. Kacper Gomólski #44 (Poland)
16. Andzejs Lebedevs #129 (Latvia)
17. Pontus Aspgren (Sweden)
18. Kenny Wennerstam (Sweden)
