Bartosz Smektała won the second round of EKO-DIR FIM Speedway U-21 World Championship 2017, which took place in German Güstrow. Thanks to 15 points he gathered, "Smyk" is currently 2nd in general classification of the series, with only a 1-point loss to the leader - Maksym Drabik.
Meeting in Güstrow started with Smektała's bad luck. After a good start, FOGO Unia Leszno's rider took a lead, but in the first corner he slipped and fell.
- What can I say? It was a school mistake. Obviously, I don't feel good on slick surface. We don't get many chances to start in such conditions. This fall however was totally my mistake - Smektała said.
After first, bad heat, Bartosz Smektała got three wins after presenting a very high intensity and level of racing. In the final heat, "Smyk" left no illusions to the others and got a solid win. Because of his fall, Maksym Drabik was excluded from the semi-final and ended the meeting in Güstrow with 10 points gathered. "Torres" remained the series' leader, however his advantage got smaller and is only 1 point over second Smektała.
Vice-leader of the general classification points it clearly that he's all about to win the championship on track, without such factors as Drabik's injury.
- I keep my fingers crossed for Maksym. I hope he'll be all right. If I would be able to reach for gold, I would like it to be fair, on track, not because of other rider's injury.
Smektała is only 1 point down to Drabik and 2 points over third rider - Australian Max Fricke.
- Everything can happen. I can fight for gold or for the third position. I hope everything will be settled on track and the best will come up with the ultimate win.
Final round of EKO-DIR FIM Speedway U21 World Championship 2017 will be taken in Pardubice. So far, Smektała has raced there twice.
- I had a chance to race there and have some good memories, but my recent performance in U21 World Championship, on this track was not a good one. I need to prepare well and give my best - Smektała ended.
