Maximum man Ondřej Svědík (Yamaha) drew first blood as the 2023 FIM Flat Track World Championship got under way in testing conditions at a rain-hit National Speedway Stadium in Belle Vue, Manchester, England, on Saturday night.
The twenty-seven-year-old charging Czech rider won all four of his Heat races and then led every lap of the Grand Final to open up an immediate advantage at the top of the points table as rain threatened to bring a premature end to the action following the first three blocks of racing.
However, extensive and expert track maintenance ensured the racing went ahead after a short delay and the crowd – along with fans watching the action streamed LIVE on FIM-MOTO.TV – were treated to an adrenalin-charged conclusion to the eighteen-race programme.
“This was a new experience for me,” said Svědík. “The track in Manchester is very different compared to where I have raced before, but I enjoyed the experience. To win the first round is huge for me. There are still many rounds to come and this result is a good start to my championship campaign.
“Conditions were challenging to begin with and it was quite wet after the rain, but after the track work it was much better for racing and I am delighted to have won.”
Svědík’s main opposition came from his compatriot Ervin Krajčovič (KTM) with both riders showing great form in the first of five Finals that will be staged over the next two months to decide the destination of the 2023 title.
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