A night of global champions: Polish speedway honours its kings as Australia cements its place among the world elite

WARSAW, POLAND

The global benchmark of professional motorcycle speedway was celebrated under the lights of Hilton Warsaw City on Saturday, October 24, as the Polish PGE Ekstraliga hosted the prestigious Gala PGE Ekstraligi 2026, officially wrapping up the premier league season with the presentation of the coveted Szczakiele awards.

Broadcast live across Europe via CANAL+ Sport, the 12th edition of the awards served as a compelling showcase of speedway's international hierarchy—and provided definitive proof of how Australian riding talent continues to dictate terms in the world's most lucrative and competitive motorsport market.

Lambert Crowned Foreign Rider of the Year; Aussies Feature in Top 5

Great Britain’s Robert Lambert capped an extraordinary season for newly crowned Team Polish Champions PRES Grupa Deweloperska Toruń by capturing the headline fan vote for Best Foreign Rider of the Season (Najlepszy Zagraniczny Zawodnik Sezonu). Lambert claimed a dominant 40.08% of the public vote following Toruń’s gold-medal sweep, finishing ahead of Danish international Anders Thomsen (18.85%) and Michael Jepsen Jensen (11.62%).

Crucially for the Australian speedway community, the top five foreign riders in the world's elite league featured two Australian standouts:

• Brady Kurtz (Betard Sparta Wrocław): Following a stellar breakout campaign spearheading Wrocław to the silver medal, the New South Wales star secured 4th place with 10.77% of the league-wide vote.

  
  

• Ben Cook (Fogo Unia Leszno): The Cowra-born talent capped an exceptional rise into world championship circles, locking down 5th place with 7.81% of the ballot.

  
  

The recognition of Kurtz and Cook on Poland's most visible broadcast stage directly links the dusty bullrings of Cowra, Kurri Kurri, and Gillman to the 50,000-seat stadium spectacles of Central Europe.

Zmarzlik Reclaims Top Honours; Emotional Farewell for Legend Janusz Kołodziej

In the domestic rankings, four-time World Champion Bartosz Zmarzlik (Orlen Oil Motor Lublin) reclaimed his crown as the Best Polish Rider of the Season (Najlepszy Polski Zawodnik Sezonu), collecting 33.53% of the vote. Zmarzlik and his wife, Sandra Zmarzlik, were among the central stars on the red carpet, celebrating yet another milestone year at the pinnacle of European motorsport.

The emotional high point of the evening belonged to veteran Polish champion Janusz Kołodziej. The 42-year-old Fogo Unia Leszno stalwart was awarded the league's highest lifetime tribute—the Golden Szczakiel (Złoty Szczakiel za całokształt dokonań w sporcie żużlowym)—presented by Polish Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (PZM) President Michał Sikora. Kołodziej used the stage to formally announce his retirement from competitive league racing, bringing to a close an iconic career featuring eight Polish Team Championships and four Individual national titles.

Full Honours List | Gala PGE Ekstraligi 2026

• Best Foreign Rider: Robert Lambert (PRES Grupa Deweloperska Toruń) – 40.08%

  (Runner-up: Anders Thomsen 18.85%; 3rd: Michael Jepsen Jensen 11.62%; 4th: Brady Kurtz 10.77%; 5th: Ben Cook 7.81%)

  
  

• Best Polish Rider: Bartosz Zmarzlik (Orlen Oil Motor Lublin) – 33.53%

• Best Junior Rider: Antoni Kawczyński (PRES Grupa Deweloperska Toruń) – 31.70%

• Surprise of the Season: Adam Bednar (Gezet Stal Gorzów) – 39.05%

• Best Coach / Team Manager: Piotr Baron (PRES Grupa Deweloperska Toruń) – 49.16%

• Race of the Season: Michael Jepsen Jensen (Heat 13, Motor Lublin vs GKM Grudziądz)

• Best Team Kevlar Design: Betard Sparta Wrocław

• Golden Szczakiel (Lifetime Achievement): Janusz Kołodziej

• 2026 Team Polish Champions: PRES Grupa Deweloperska Toruń

Bridging the Continents: The Australian Pathway to European Dominance

The sheer scale of the Warsaw Gala reinforces the critical pathway Australian motorsport provides to the global stage. Every Australian rider currently dominating Europe's stadium circuit cut their teeth on regional, club-run dirt tracks.

With Australian talents like Brady Kurtz and Ben Cook competing at the absolute apex of the world’s richest speedway championship, the mandate for modern Australian sporting infrastructure has never been clearer: nurturing grassroots talent at home directly fuels Australia's presence on the world stage.

Media References & Photo Credits

• Event Organiser & Broadcast Host: Speedway Ekstraliga / CANAL+ Sport Poland.

• Official Data & Polling: PGE Ekstraliga App & Ekstraliga.pl Verified Season Results.

  
  

• Photography & Visuals:

  • Red carpet arrival portraits (Bartosz and Sandra Zmarzlik):Fotografia Sportowa - Patryk Kowalski  / Speedway Ekstraliga 

  • Event broadcast graphics and award presentations: Courtesy of Speedway Ekstraliga Official Press Media Desk.

    
    

     

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