Jack Holder made history by becoming the first winner of the 2024 Speedway Grand Prix season with an impressive performance in Donji Kraljevec. The Aussie dominated the event, topping the standings in the heats, semi-final, and final, ultimately taking the chequered flag. Holder expressed his joy at the victory, dedicating it to his partner and unborn son. He highlighted the technical nature of the track but credited his trapping skills for securing the win. Jason Doyle finished in second place, while Fredrik Lindgren completed the podium with a strong performance throughout the evening.
Starting the night with three wins and a second-place finish in the heats, Holder secured his spot as the top qualifier for the semi-finals, giving him first gate choice. Doyle, on the other hand, had a slow start to the Grand Prix but managed to sneak through to the semi-finals from Gate 4. Battling wildcard Kai Huckenbeck, Doyle secured a spot in the final and went on to claim second place, while Zmarzlik had to settle for fourth after a mishap in the opening lap of the final. Doyle expressed his gratitude to his mechanics and the fans for their support, emphasizing the importance of reaching the final for securing valuable points.
Lindgren, despite not winning a heat, managed to progress to the semi-finals and secure a spot in the final, finishing behind Zmarzlik to claim third place. Lindgren acknowledged the challenges he faced during the evening but was pleased to finish on the podium. Zmarzlik, the defending champion, looked strong throughout the event but a small error in the final cost him a podium spot, resulting in a fourth-place finish. Robert Lambert was the top Brit in Croatia, making it to the semi-finals but ultimately finishing in sixth place. Dan Bewley and Tai Woffinden struggled to accumulate points during the heats, falling short of expectations.
The 2024 Speedway season will be available for live viewing on discovery+, offering fans an ad-free experience to watch the exciting races unfold. With Holder setting the tone as the first winner of the season, the competition and excitement are sure to continue throughout the rest of the Speedway Grand Prix season. Riders like Holder, Doyle, Lindgren, and others will continue to showcase their skills and battle for the top spot in upcoming races, providing fans with thrilling moments and intense racing action. As the season progresses, fans can expect more surprises, upsets, and memorable moments on the Speedway circuit.
