MADSEN CELEBRATES DANISH MEDAL

Danish racer Leon Madsen was elated to lead his country to Monster Energy FIM Speedway of Nations bronze, and believes they could have climbed higher had the meeting reached its conclusion.

The Danes headed to Lublin seeking their first world championship medal since they secured silver at the 2015 FIM Speedway World Cup Final in Vojens.

Last night’s action was halted due after 15 races as wet weather took its toll on track conditions, with the scores counted at the end of 14 when all seven countries had raced four times apiece.

While Russia pipped Poland to gold after they tied on 23 points, the Danes saw off Sweden for bronze. The Scandinavian rivals tied on 19, but Madsen’s men were ranked higher after winning their head-to-head 5-4 in heat 10.

The world No.5 led the charge on 10 points, with SGP newcomer Anders Thomsen scoring four. Their 17-year-old sensation Marcus Birkemose also starred on his Monster Energy SON debut, scoring five points.

Skipper Madsen was elated to end Denmark’s quest for a medal.

He said: “Obviously we wanted the gold; everyone wants to win gold. But we are very happy to at least get a bronze medal.

“We have been hungry for so many years to win some medals for Denmark, so I think a lot of people back home can be happy that we won the bronze.

“I think we did a good job. We had a very good spirit in the team and everyone was doing well.

“It was a little bit out of our hands when they cancelled the meeting after heat 14. We were fighting and I think we had a fair chance of getting into the top two if we had finished the meeting. But it is what it is and we can be happy with the bronze medal for sure.”

Photo: Taylor Lanning