Jakub Miśkowiak: I juggled motorcycles. We will train hard before the derby (interview)

Jakub Miśkowiak left KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ Częstochowa after the 2023 season. At the beginning of July, he returned to Jasna Góra, but as a rider for EBUT.PL STAL Gorzów. Although his performance was not the best (4 points with a bonus), he certainly contributed a valuable point to his current team’s final victory (48:41). The nearly 23-year-old discussed the Częstochowa-Gorzów clash with ekstraliga.pl.

Norbert Giżyński (ekstraliga.pl): First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your recent victory. However, the match in Częstochowa had a slightly strange course. Some points were gained due to the double exclusion of Mikkel Michelsen and Maksym Drabik in the second attempt of the 7th race.

Jakub Miśkowiak (EBUT.PL STAL Gorzów): That’s right. I saw that race myself. No one has any influence on that; it just happened that way. Such is sport. In situations like the one in the seventh race, the decisive voice belongs to the referee.

Initially, the meeting in Częstochowa was shaping up to be intense for both teams. After three races, it was 9:9. Later, you pulled ahead. However, the final touch – partly due to the mentioned double exclusion – was put before the nominated races.

Exactly. In the later part of the match, the whole team was riding fairly evenly, although I was slightly behind. But some settings were changed, and something finally clicked. I’m happy that in the end, I got a ‘three’ on my score.

In fact, your first starts were definitely not the best for you. But – as you mentioned a moment ago – to wipe away the tears, you won your last race. Did you use different equipment then?

Yes. Throughout the event, I was juggling motorcycles. In the last race, I changed it. Although it happened too late, I am ultimately glad that I managed to win at least the 12th race. We are positively motivated for the upcoming matches.

The next match will take place on July 21. Then at home, you will have a derby clash with NOVYHOTEL FALUBAZ Zielona Góra. It is already known that you will be the favorite for this match...

That’s right. We had a bit of a break. Before the match with the team from Zielona Góra, we have foreign leagues. We’ll see how it all goes. We will definitely train hard before this match to perform as best as possible in front of our home audience.

You spent five seasons (2019-2023) in KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ. How did you feel returning to Częstochowa?

Generally, I felt good here, as always on the Częstochowa track. Maybe it didn’t show in the points, but I managed to ride well at least in my last race. So, we need to look positively towards the upcoming matches.

Has the Częstochowa track changed compared to, for example, last year when you were riding for the local team?

I think the track in Częstochowa is similar to previous seasons. In my opinion, not much has changed there. The settings are the same – or at least similar – on that surface.