Speedway Grand Prix 2022 - Kelvin Tatum has said rivals must keep up with favourite Bartosz Zmarzlik in the title race

The opening night of the first race of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix in Gorican lived up to all expectations according to Kelvin Tatum. An eventful night of racing saw Bartosz Zmarzlik overcome 15 other riders to storm to victory in the final, ahead of Maciej Janowski second and Mikkel Michelsen making up the podium in third.

Anders Thomsen finished fourth. Ad/> Reflecting on the evening, former British Speedway champion Tatum who was on commentary for discovery+, said the Grand Prix was a success.

/> Speedway GP'A fabulous night of Speedway' — Kelvin Tatum and Scott Nicholls review Croatia GPAN HOUR AGO “Overall, I thought it was a fabulous night of Speedway,” he told Scott Nicholls. “It burst into life and the racing just got better and better the longer the evening went on so a great opening round.” Two-time former SGP champion Zmarzlik set the tone for the day by posting the fastest time in qualifying and won three of his heats, as well as the semi-final before triumphing in the final.

The Polish rider missed out on the 2021 title by just three points after finishing behind Artem Laguta, but with the Russian suspended this year due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Zmarzlik has a chance at a third crown. “I think he came in as a favourite, with the Russians being suspended,” added Tatum.