Michał Knapp is the sole representative of hosts – Poland among participants of the Texom European Individual Ice Speedway Championship – Sanok 2025. Tickets can still be bought online at bilety.speedwayevents.pl or ebilet.pl.
The Pole Knapp regularly competes in the European Championships – in 2020 he was 13th in the general classification, 12th a year later, then 11th. In the last two years he finished 17th and 18th due to engine problems. Now he hopes that the motorcycles will not let him down.
You are the only Pole on the starting list. How did you prepare for the most important start of the season?
There is no one else in Poland who practices this sport. Recently we managed to train on a local lake with my brother Arek, who is also my mechanic. Sometimes we can go to Scandinavia for practice as was the case this season. It was the best thing that could have happened to me – driving off the line and four laps to go. We trained there for a few days. I also took part in two Swedish league matches. These competitions could be treated as preparation for the most important event, the Texom Individual European Championships – Sanok 2025.
Last year’s competition didn’t go as you expected. You mentioned your starts in Sweden, where you showed that you can ride well and compete with your rivals. Do you think that this time in Sanok you will finish with a better place than before?
I don’t want to make any declarations. Last year we struggled with hardware problems, three engines I had at my disposal completely broke down. In Sweden I had one good start and another completely unsuccessful one. On the first day we started the competition with the setup prepared for the track in Sanok. It worked quite well, but the next day we changed everything during testing and nothing worked properly. We have drawn the right conclusions from the start in Sweden and I hope that now we will be able to fight for a decent place.
Have you set yourself a goal for the upcoming championship?
I never wanted to say publicly that I was aiming for any place, because that’s not the point. The point is to go out and show the fans that I can effectively fight for points, and not just wave at fans at the presentation. I did not have as many training sessions as I would like, so I do not have much experience. Me and my team always struggle with engine problems. I hope it will be sorted now.
A year ago, the topic of a license for your brother, Miłosz, was discussed. What is the situation with it today?
Last year, after the competition in Sanok, he did a few laps, but the examiners said he still lacked the skills to obtain a license. Now, because he went abroad and didn’t take part in the training camp so he has skipped this season. My older brother Arek, who still is my mechanic, trained on a nearby lake and showed his strengths.
Who is your favorite to win in Sanok? Do you think someone will dethrone Franz Zorn?
I think Jimmy Olsen stands a chance. If I had to choose the rider who has the best chance of dethroning Frankie I would choose the swedish rider.
Interview by Hubert Grabowski
We invite all fans to the “Błonie” ice track, the final outcome is not known yet but what’s the certain – there will be lot of emotions. Online ticket sales for the event has just begun. They can be purchased online at: sklep.speedwayevents.pl and at ebilet.pl. Tickets are valid in both paper and electronic forms (on a mobile device).
Prices
VIP
399 zł – price includes parking space, high-class catering, a set of equipment, a seat in the stands with a perfect view of the competition, a program, possibility of staying in the machine park up to 60 minutes before the start of racing
Main stand
69 zł – regular
49 zł – discount (kinds between 7 and 18 years and pensioneers)
Side stand
49 zł – regular
39 zł – discount (kinds between 7 and 18 years and pensioneers)
Kids below 6 years of age – no cost with an accompanying adult
