Bańbor: We are in a good situation before the rematch (interview)

ORLEN OIL MOTOR Lublin defeated BETARD SPARTA Wrocław 47:43 in the first final match of the PGE Ekstraliga. The current Polish champions learned from their defeat in the regular season at the Wrocław stadium and it was clear after the 13th race that they would leave with a victory. Bartosz Bańbor contributed his part to the final victory with 4 points and a bonus. He spoke exclusively to ekstraliga.pl about this match and the mindset before the rematch.

Błażej Kowol (ekstraliga.pl): You win this match 47:43 and are now only 43 points away from the championship. I assume you are leaving Wrocław satisfied?

Bartosz Bańbor (ORLEN OIL MOTOR Lublin): Yes, of course. Winning the final on the home ground of such a strong opponent is something exceptional. Although we have a slight sense of incompleteness, looking at how the nominated races turned out for us. Nevertheless, we are in a good situation before the rematch.

You contribute 4 points and a bonus to the team. Are you satisfied with your individual performance?

I think it could have been worse and better. Apart from the beginning of this match, when I got overtaken on the line, I can be satisfied with my performance.

How did the track behave compared to the regular season match?

I know the temperature was completely different, but you could tell from the times that it was also somewhat stickier. Yes, the track seemed hard, but it was quite sticky. However, it was obviously well prepared. A significant difference was that the track was not watered from the middle of the event. This made it dry, and the only good path appeared by the fence. Conditions on this track don’t matter to me, I really like riding here.

It seemed that throughout the match there was one line that moved wider and wider during the event. Did you also have that impression?

By the end, there was indeed just one. Whoever reached the fence the fastest gained a significant advantage over the rest of the field.

On Saturday, there’s the rematch against BETARD SPARTA Wrocław. How will you prepare for these competitions?

We will definitely hold some training, but at the moment, I’m focusing on the European Under-19 Championship final, which is already on Thursday.

Last Friday, you competed in Speedway Grand Prix 2, where you had a serious fall along with Jakub Krawczyk. How do you feel, and how did you react to the boos directed at you by the home fans during the presentation?

Fortunately, nothing major happened to me after the crash. I’m slightly bruised, but it’s no tragedy. Definitely nothing serious. Unfortunately, Jakub didn’t have such luck; it was my fault, of course, and I take responsibility for that. I heard the boos, but they motivate me. I want to show what I’m capable of.

Did you clear things up with Jakub Krawczyk?

Yes, Jakub doesn’t hold a grudge about the situation. He knows that such things happen. Everything is fine between us.