INTERVIEW/PGEE: Michał Ciurzyński: My Speedway Adventure Was Short But Interesting

Michał Ciurzyński is a former rider of the current KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZA Częstochowa, who in 1999, together with his home club, advanced to the PGE Ekstraliga.  After ending his career, he worked as a mechanic and currently helps in the career of his son – Alan.

• Memories from Michał Ciurzyński’s speedway career
• Working as a mechanic for Rune Holta, Ryan Sullivan, and Grzegorz Walasek
• At first, Alan treated it as fun. Meanwhile, I had thoughts that he would ride a bit, and then maybe it would pass – about the career of his son Alan Ciurzyński
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Norbert Giżyński (ekstraliga.pl): How did your speedway adventure begin?

Michał Ciurzyński (former rider of KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZA Częstochowa): I admit, I applied to the school a bit late, at around 15 years old. I persuaded my mom to finally give written permission. It was hard, but I eventually convinced her and managed to enroll in the speedway school where classes were conducted by Mr. Wiktor Jastrzębski. I learned a lot under his supervision. About two years later, I took the exam for the speedway license in Gniezno, among others with Krzysztof Stempel. Then, the first official rides followed.

You were part of the WŁÓKNIARZA MALMA Częstochowa team in 1999 when the team was promoted to the top league, which was renamed Ekstraliga Speedway the following season. You were called up for a total of four matches. How do you remember those times?

I remember them very fondly, as there was a great group of people. It was an interesting adventure. I recall my league debut. It was a WŁÓKNIARZA MALMA match against UNIA Tarnów (April 5th in Częstochowa – ed.). Coach (Andrzej Jurczyński – ed.) called me up for the thirteenth race (which was then one of the nominated races during league meetings – ed.). I started in that race and scored one point; I was riding in a pair with Robert Mikołajczak. It was a great experience. I must also add that at that time, there was a rule regarding KSM (Calculated Match Average – ed.). It so happened that I had one of the lowest averages, which was 2.50. And juniors usually had KSM at such levels after passing the license. Coaches often juggled to fit riders into squads without exceeding the maximum combined KSM total. The adventure was pleasing – no argument about that.

In two matches, you managed to score points, and as you mentioned, it was on April 5th in Częstochowa against UNIA from Tarnów and on the 25th of the same month in Rzeszów. In both those encounters, you recorded just one ‘point’ each, but they must have been valuable since they contributed to WŁÓKNIARZA MALMA’s wins over UNIA – 59:31, and STAL II Rzeszów – 53:37.

Were they valuable? That’s not for me to judge. Anyway, I think they were important. There is undoubtedly some joy when you reach the finish line with at least a point, and not ‘zero’. I remember those times fondly. In Rzeszów, when I brought a ‘point’ to the finish (seventh race of the event – ed.), I was riding in a duo with Mark Loram. It was a huge honor for me to race with such a rider.

Surely, it was also an honor to be part of the team that won the league level, right?

Of course. Nevertheless, you could say that my participation in all of this was minimal (laughter).

You say it was minimal, but it’s not coincidental to be in a team that is the best at a given league level…

Not every rider got to appear in a league match. Many speedway riders went through the school and later the license exam but never rode in the league. So, in a way, it was a success to participate in any match. It’s a fact that can’t be debated.

After the 1999 season, you ended your racing career. Why did you decide to take that step?

In short, there was no progress or development. In such situations, a rider simply ends the sports journey, in this case, the speedway one. I also remember, around the turn of the century, that the club from Częstochowa loaned me and Krzysztof Stempel to KS „VICTORIA ROLNICKI” from Machowa, which was supposed to start in the 2nd League. Józef Kafel was to be the coach of this team. The decision to start participating was dragged out. Ultimately, the club didn’t join the competition due to financial problems. In the end, it concluded not so much a career, but more an adventure. Simultaneously, I was drawn towards mechanics – I really enjoyed working on motorcycles. That also amused me a lot.

Still, you remained in the “black sport.” You worked as a mechanic for top-class riders like Rune Holta, Ryan Sullivan, or Grzegorz Walasek. Your work must have been fruitful, right?

There was definitely at least a slight contribution to the form of the riders I collaborated with. Their successes best testified to that. Grzegorz Walasek, Rune Holta, or Ryan Sullivan were top riders, both in the Polish and world ranking. It was an honor for me to work with them.

Currently, your son Alan continues the speedway traditions. Last year, he showed definitely that he has the potential to ride. His results especially in competitions organized in Częstochowa spoke volumes. He impressed with his silhouette, movement on the bike, and most importantly that he could overtake opponents over distance. Did you advise Alan regarding speedway riding?

– Alan couldn’t really take riding advice from me (laughter). After all, I rode the way I rode, so there’s really no comparison. Seriously speaking, I’m happy with his progress. Alan adopted that silhouette already while riding on mini speedway (85cc–190cc – ed.), and then it translated into his performance when he switched to motorcycles with larger capacities (first 250 cc, then 500 cc). That was exactly the element that Alan grasped quickly. He rides smoothly and lightly, which is very important in speedway. And how he’s doing is thanks to the trainers. Of course, I also try to advise him when I notice something in a particular situation, e.g., how to ‘choose’ the racing line, but I haven’t intervened in his riding style. He simply has something that works well for him (smile).

When you found out that Alan wants to do speedway riding, what was your first reaction? Satisfaction that your son wants to follow in your footsteps? Or perhaps fear, given the risk involved?

At first, Alan treated it as fun. Meanwhile, I had thoughts that he would ride a bit, and then maybe it would pass. He started riding a motorcycle at the age of 9. And at that age, many people think that they want to become a football player or also a basketball player; there are many ideas in the head then. As I said a moment ago, I wasn’t 100% sure he would ultimately decide to ride speedway. I suspected he would ride a bit and maybe take up something else. However, he got the bug and continues. Of course, for me as a parent, there’s stress related to that. Especially after he switched to 500 cc last year and I saw it all. In this class of motorcycle, there is already more serious racing. I stay with him in the pit area and then, when he rides out onto the track, I watch it with my own eyes. Obviously, it’s completely different working with a rider, but when your own child is the one riding, emotions reach their peak.

Alan has already shown himself to be an ambitious rider. Surely, he will want to take further steps forward and maybe even compete for a place in the primary league lineup of KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZA Częstochowa. Even so, competition might be high, though some juniors have decided to end their careers.

As for competing for a place in the league lineup, everything must go peacefully. I don’t want to exert pressure or stress. Alan is still learning and there’s still a lot to learn. For now, we want him to simply develop and even enjoy it all. What will come from it later, we’ll see. He already surprised me last season. Initially, I thought he might take the exam for 500 cc class licensing maybe in June, just to get used to the entire speed. Those motorcycles have completely different power than the 250cc class. You need to get used to that. Then, as it turned out, a few practice sessions were enough and he passed the license in the 500cc class, and later on, he really jumped into it quickly. He soon started in the Polish Junior Team Championships, where the youngest also learn the sport, then debuted in the U24 Ekstraliga. After that, national team coach Rafał Dobrucki noticed him, which allowed him to also participate in the Junior Reserves Tournaments. He showed himself nicely in all those mentioned challenges. No one is certain what will happen in the 2025 season. The most important thing is that it’s peaceful.

Should it become necessary, do you have any kind of alternative plan for Alan? Such as the possibility of loaning him to a club from the lower Polish leagues?

As of today, I think that’s unlikely. For now, he’s here in Częstochowa, but time will tell how everything unfolds. For the time being, let him compete (smile).

How are Alan’s preparations for the 2025 season currently going? What element of preparation are you particularly focused on?

At this point, the focus is on general development training. As for equipment preparation, we will address that a little later and I will also be involved. We will do everything to have the motorcycles ready for the season. For now, Alan is running or exercising indoors. He always has to keep working on his fitness. The better the condition, the calmer the mind.

During one of the interviews, when I asked Alan what he would most like to achieve in speedway, he said: “I definitely want to become the Polish and world champion in the future.” What do you think about that?

I wish him that with all my heart! But there is still a long road ahead. I’m happy that he has such ambitious goals. We’ll see what comes of it. It’s obvious that any ambitious person, when taking on something specific, wants to do it thoroughly and to the end. If Alan said that, then that’s great!

Norbert Giżyński