Vaculik wins in Wroclaw as Zmarzlik loses points to rivals

Martin Vaculik took a commanding victory from the inside gate to clinch the eighth round of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Wroclaw, Poland.

The Slovakian rider finished top in the points table following the heats and had his pick of gates in the semi-final and final.

The former European champion was in commanding form in the final winning ahead of Fredrik Lindgren and Robert Lambert.

Reigning world champion and series leader Bartosz Zmarzlik lost points to his rivals in the overall standings after suffering a mechanical in the semi-final resulting in his missing a final spot.

Vaculik also won the fourth round of the series in Prague in June and moved himself up to fifth in the championship standings.

“I’m happy, it’s an amazing feeling,” said Vaculik. “I’m very pleased for the result today, I’m very thankful.

“I feel very good on the bike and my team and mechanics did a great job. We all worked together, go step by step, keep focused and try our best for the rest of the season.”

After missing out on the final in the previous round at Cardiff, series leader Zmarzlik had a worrying start to the heats after failing to pick up points on his opening ride.

However, the four-time world champion showed his class to move through the heats and finish second in the points table behind Vaculik.

After coming into the night in fourth overall Jack Holder failed to make it through the heats and picked up just six points from the evening.

However, Zmarzlik had a nightmare in the semi-final moving from his chosen inside gate to out wide before suffering a mechanical.

With three rounds remaining of the FIA Speedway Grand Prix defending champion Zmarzlik has a 15-point lead ahead of Lindgren and Lambert who are tied on 106 points.

A final place for Mikkel Michelsen keeps him in the championship fight 20 points behind Zmarzlik.

“It’s consistent and good – to be in the final at every grand prix is important and where the league points are, I’m so happy with today,” said Lambert.

“We made a change (to the bike) for the final which was make or break because there was a dirt line out wide which didn’t really work.”

Lindgren added: “I just gave 100% in every heat and see where it would take me.

“I’m happy with second today and points in the championship table.”