Polonia Bydgoszcz Hosts Stal Rzeszów In Thrilling Showdown

On a festive Saturday, April 19, 2025, the speedway season kicked off in style at Sportowa 2, as Abramczyk Polonia Bydgoszcz hosted Texom Stal Rzeszów in the second round of the Metalkas 2nd Extraleague. The excitement was palpable among the fans, with over 9,000 expected to fill the stands, a testament to the growing popularity of speedway in Poland.

Polonia Bydgoszcz entered the match with high spirits after a convincing 55:35 victory against H. Skrzydlewska Orzeł Łódź in their previous outing. Their performance had set the tone for the season, and they were eager to showcase their talents on home soil. Meanwhile, Stal Rzeszów was looking to bounce back after a disappointing draw against PSŻ Poznań, where they finished 45:45. The stakes were high as both teams aimed to establish dominance early in the season.

As the match began at 16:15, the atmosphere was electric. Polonia's lineup featured Kai Huckenbeck, Tom Brennan, Szymon Woźniak, Aleksandr Łoktajew, Krzysztof Buczkowski, Kacper Andrzejewski, Bartosz Nowak, and Emil Maroszek. Stal Rzeszów countered with Marcin Nowak, Keynan Rew, Jacob Thorssell, David Bellego, Paweł Przedpełski, Franciszek Majewski, Wiktor Rafalski, and Anže Grmek. The stage was set for a thrilling contest.

In the opening heat, Woźniak, Thorssell, Nowak, and Huckenbeck lined up, and it was Woźniak who took the lead from the start, finishing with a score of 3:3. The race was competitive, with Huckenbeck struggling to find his rhythm out of the first bend.

The second heat saw Rafalski, Andrzejewski, Majewski, and Nowak take to the track. Andrzejewski made a bold move to overtake Rafalski on the first straight, but Rafalski regained control, leading to a 2:4 score in favor of Stal Rzeszów, bringing the overall score to 5:7.

Heat three featured Buczkowski, Przedpełski, Łoktajew, and Rew. Przedpełski started strong but was overtaken by Buczkowski on the final lap, resulting in another 4:2 score for Polonia, tying the match at 9:9.

In heat four, Brennan, Majewski, Andrzejewski, and Bellego raced. Brennan led from the start, with Andrzejewski quickly passing Bellego, contributing to a 4:2 score for Polonia, pushing them ahead to 13:11.

However, the match took a dramatic turn in heat six. Marcin Nowak fell, damaging the inflatable barrier, which led to a temporary halt as repairs were made. Despite the setback, the excitement remained high among the fans, who cheered on their teams.

Throughout the event, Jerzy Kanclerz, the coach of Polonia, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the fans, noting, "We had a lot of supporters in Łódź, and we thank them for that." The high attendance was evident, with all tickets for the main and new stands selling out within 50 minutes, a clear indication of the community's passion for speedway.

As the match progressed, the riders faced challenges, including the weather conditions that had affected training sessions leading up to the race. Marcin Nowak, the captain of Stal Rzeszów, reflected on their previous performance, stating, "We were able to secure a point, but we felt we could have won. The weather disrupted our plans significantly, and we learned a lot from that match."

For Stal Rzeszów, the absence of Tai Woffinden, who was recovering from a serious injury, was keenly felt. His place was taken by David Bellego, who had previously raced for Polonia. Bellego's performance was under scrutiny as he aimed to prove his worth in front of the Bydgoszcz crowd.

As the heats continued, it became clear that both teams were determined to capitalize on their strengths. The competition was fierce, with each rider pushing their limits. The racing was a showcase of skill and strategy, as riders navigated the track's challenges while vying for points.

With the match still ongoing, the excitement remained high as fans eagerly awaited the outcome. The atmosphere at Sportowa 2 was filled with anticipation, cheers, and the distinct sounds of speedway racing. The event was not just a match; it was a celebration of speedway culture in Poland.

The season had just begun, and both teams were keen to establish themselves as contenders for the top spots in the league. As the riders continued to battle it out on the track, the fans were treated to a thrilling display of speedway action, setting the stage for an exhilarating season ahead.

As the sun began to set over Bydgoszcz, the match between Abramczyk Polonia Bydgoszcz and Texom Stal Rzeszów was shaping up to be a memorable clash, with both teams showcasing their talents and determination in pursuit of victory.