Grigory Laguta finished third in last season tournament for the Individual Championship of Europe. This position meant that the Russian secured the maintenance cycle and 2014 fans again will be able to see it on SEC's tracks. "Grisha" shared with us his insights on past season.
Michał Czajka (SEC): Grigorij, what do you think about Speedway European Championships?
Grigorij Laguta: It’s really great idea, Riders who are sometimes less known are combined with those from Grand Prix and they all together guarantee great emotions – that’s the way how it was during this year’s tournaments. I was really enjoyed during all tournaments no matter what score I had.
M.C: The most fans were in Russian Togliatti. Did you expect it?
G.L: Yeah, that’s true – in Russia there were really lot of fans but generally it wasn’t a great surprise for me. In Togliatti people are interested in speedway and when it was known that SEC was going to be there it was clearly seen that people were really happy because of it. The atmosphere was really unbelievable and riding in such places is really special.
M.C: So next year you are going to be part of SEC again?
G.L: Yes, of course! I really want to be part of it and I’m looking forward to riding in these tournaments. After such successful debut I think that SEC next season can be even better and it is possible that we’ll see development of Speedway European Championships.
M.C: I’m sure you know what’s going on in the world of speedway… What do you think about the fact that riders from Grand Prix can be banned from riding in SEC?
G.L: For me this is some big misunderstanding and generally I don’t know what I can say about it. I can’t find any reasonable explanation why they want to do it. SEC is a really great event and I don’t understand how it can be banned to take part in it. Secondly, speedway is for riders the way for living and everybody wants to ride a lot so it’s like ban from working…
M.C: With your colleagues from Wlokniarz Czestochowa in Polish Extraleague you were very close to medal. Are you disappointed that you didn’t manage to do it?
G.L: Well, that’s sport… We weren’t lucky, our rivals were better that day. We were also a Little bit unlucky because Emil was injured and this fact also had an influence on our worse score.
M.C: What do you think about the Wlokniarz team for season 2014?
G.L: Surely it will be a difficult season for us because we are worse team than last season – of course on paper. However in sport everything is possible and in practice we can be even better than last season.
M.C: Preparations for the season 2014 are probably started, right?
G.L: Yes, I’m already thinking about new season and preparations are of course started.
M.C: Are you going to change something?
G.L: No… Generally my preparations can be summarize shortly – working, working and one more time working. I know that if I want to have good scores for the whole season I have to work really hard during winter break.
M.C: Thank you for interview.
