On the nearest saturday (6th July) in Slovakia decisive qualifications of SEC will take place. SEC Challenge will start that day on a track in Zarnovica. Nine best riders will get a promotion to the finals of European Championships.
Danes and Poles will have three riders on this tournament. In polish side we will see: Grzegorz Zengota, Sebastian Ułamek and Robert Miśkowiak. - One year ago in semi-final of European Championships in Żarnica I had a great battle with Martin Vaculik. We were riding shoulder to shoulder, but finally Martin won and I had to be happy of the second place. It was nice tournament. The track was very good that day. I feel good there and I am happy that we can ride on this track again. The stake will be much stronger and it could be harder than in 2012 - says "Zengi". If it's about Danes, Leon Madsen, Hans Andersen and Kenni Larsen will show themselves in Slovakia. - I want to be promoted to the finals. It would be nice to win, but the promotion is the most important. I must admit that I will start there first time in my career, but I count for a good, effective training and effective competition. We'll see how will it be. I am full of optimism - says "Ugly Duck".
One of the favourites of the qualifications is local matador Martin Vaculik, who raised in Zarnovica and his first speedway steps was on this track. - I must admit that I am not preparing much for this competition. I am trying to be relaxed, knowing that I ride on my track and many people count on me. I will try to do my best and this is my target - admits. - I feel strong and I will show that on this tournament. The surface is hard, so the start will be mainly deciding about points during SEC Challenge - thinks the slovakian. Vaculik is riding below expectations this season in GP and in Enea Ekstraliga. Knowledge of his home-track will be a good advantage.
Grigorij Łaguta and Jurica Pavlic shouldn't have a problem to qualify to the finals. It's interesting that the russian aren't starting in Individual World Cup qualifications, but he decided to show himself in european competition. The croatian have a lot to prove, because he's very good rider, but he don't have serious individual succeces on his account. It could change because of his performance in SEC 2013.
The form of Peter Karlsson should be one of the most interesting things during tommorow's tournament. Almost 44 year old Swede doesn't want to be replaced by his younger friends and retire from speedway. Is "PK" good enough to fight for European Championships promotion? Maciej Janowski and Christian Hefenbrock will be the substitutes on Saturday.
Who will join the six, who have guaranteed start in final stage? Let's recall that Tomasz Gollob, Emil Sajfutdinow, Nicki Pedersen, Andreas Jonsson, Tai Woffinden and actual champion Ales Dryml are already there. Racing in Slovakia should be very interesting! Start at 3pm.
Official starting list:
1. Robert Miśkowiak (Poland)
2. Sebastian Ułamek (Poland)
3. Grzegorz Zengota (Poland)
4. Kenni Larsen (Denmark)
5. Martin Vaculik (Slovakia)
6. Maksim Bogdanow (Latvia)
7. Roman Povazhny (Russia)
8. Andriej Karpow (Ukraine)
9. Zdenek Simota (Czech Republic)
10. Leon Madsen (Denmark)
11. Grigorij Laguta (Russia)
12. Kjastas Puodzuks (Latvia)
13. Jurica Pavlic (Croatia)
14. Hans Andersen (Denmark)
15. Tobias Busch (Germany)
16. Peter Karlsson (Sweden)
17. Maciej Janowski (Poland)
18. Christian Hefenbrock (Germany)
