Fricke: We will do everything to advance (interview)

Max Fricke was one of the leaders of ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz in the 40:50 loss against BETARD SPARTA Wroclaw. The guests return home with a 10-point deficit, which they will want to make up in the return match. The Australian scored 10 points and a bonus in 6 starts against his former club. He spoke specifically to ekstraliga.pl about his feelings related to this match.

Błażej Kowol (ekstraliga.pl): You lost this match 40:50. How would you assess the performance of ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz?

Max Fricke (ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz): We kept fighting, searching for the right settings all the time. We gave it our all. We kept pushing and it brought us 40 points. Of course, it would have been nice to score a few more, but BETARD SPARTA is a great team and we are aware of that. I hope, however, that we will be able to appropriately avenge ourselves on our home track.

You scored 10 points with a bonus in 6 starts. Are you satisfied with your points tally?

It’s okay, but you always want more, you always want to win. I gave it my all to help the team with points. It’s always nice to score more and more points, but that’s what speedway is about – you always want more. Overall, it wasn’t a bad performance.

In the April match between the two teams, you scored 5 points. This time you did significantly better. What did you change?

I changed some things in my equipment, some settings. Honestly, I don’t remember what the track was like at that time, but speedway also involves drawing the right conclusions. You constantly try to be better and improve on the track. It’s good to see a points improvement by my name. That’s a good sign.

ZOOLESZCZ GKM Grudziądz has been waiting for the playoffs for a long time and finally made it. For you riders, that’s also a new kind of experience. Do you feel more pressure because of this, or are you rather happy to be in this place?

I wouldn’t say there’s any pressure. Rather excitement over this fact. Everyone is happy with the place we’re in. We want to deliver the best possible results for our fans. We will fight not to end the playoffs too quickly. I’m very happy that the next match is at home, in front of our fans. BETARD SPARTA is a strong team, but we’ll try to make up for the losses. It won’t be easy, but we’ll do everything we can to advance.

Did the track test you participated in help you in this match?

Maybe a little. It’s always nice to make a few extra laps, especially on an away track when you’re in the first race. Sometimes it can indeed be helpful, as it was this time.

This was quite a balanced match between two strong teams. Did you feel that you could have fought for more in this match? 

Maybe, but it was really difficult. The hosts know this track perfectly and know how to navigate it. It’s always harder to ride away. We knew that and our goal was to keep the result as close as possible. I think we managed to do that for most of the match. Playoffs have their own rules. It’s two matches. You have to remember that each point is important. I’m not looking at the overall result yet; I’ll focus on that this Sunday.

You started this match very well with 7 points and a bonus in 3 starts. In the second part of the event, you performed worse. Did the track change so much or was it a matter of wrong gear choices?

I always try to improve. Maybe this time I overshot a bit with the changes. However, you have to remember that the Wroclaw side has big names that are hard to beat. It was close in some races for a bigger point haul, but it didn’t work out. We keep fighting.

Do you like returning to Wroclaw and its track?

Yes, it’s always a great thing. Especially when the stadium is full, as it was this time. The atmosphere was really great, thanks to the fans of both teams. It adds color to such clashes.

Is a 10-point loss a lot or a little?

We’ll see at home! It’s definitely within our reach. We’ve shown that we feel good on our home track. We’ll try to keep that form.