The last time Jason Doyle won an FIM Speedway GP, he lifted his first, and only, World Championship. There’s still a long way to go in 2024, but the Australian is flying high after ending his six-and-a-half-year wait for a win. However, the excitement almost got the better of Doyle, who crashed after attempting a celebratory wheelie on the back straight.
Jason Doyle is refusing to rest on his laurels despite ending a six-and-a-half-year wait for an FIM Speedway GP victory in Warsaw.
The last time Doyle won a round was the FIM Speedway GP of Australia in Melbourne in 2017, when the Australian also lifted his first World Championship.
He finished second in Croatia last month and is now six points clear at the top of the overall standings after two events.
Poland’s Bartosz Zmarzlik pushed Doyle to the limit, finishing second to secure second place in the overall standings.
And despite turning the clock back during an impressive start to the Orlen FIM Speedway GP, Doyle insists there is still a long way to go.
He said: “I cannot believe it, after seven years, after Melbourne, I have tried so hard for so many years to get back on the top step.
“It has finally happened, and what a great place to do it.
“It does not matter [leading in the world standings], there is a long way to go, we still have eight more grand prix.”
Around 50,000 fans watched on in Warsaw, but it was not all good for Doyle.
During his jubilant celebrations, the 38-year-old popped a wheelie on the back straight.
It backfired, ending in a less-than-gracious fall that threatened to tarnish Doyle’s evening.
However, the Ipswich, Grudziadz and Region Varde rider was ok, and more than happy to see the funny side.
“What a crowd, what a stadium and this is a bittersweet moment for me but I am going to cherish it,” he added.
“I crashed after the race, that is the first time I have ever crashed in the meet, and I am so happy.
“You put so much pressure on yourself when you are the No. 1 points scorer, and then you think, what gate should you pick?
“When I went off gate one and I saw [Bartosz] Zmarzlik go off gate four, I thought ‘here we go’.
“It was either going to be one or four and have I made the right decision?
“I made a half-decent start and got on that ride up the inside to get out in front and I was just checking away and seeing what the bike was doing.
“It just felt so great, and yeah, I am here.”
—
Watch and stream the 2024 Speedway Grand Prix season on Eurosport and discovery+
