Sebastian Szostak evaluates the past season in the METALKAS 2. Ekstraliga: I am satisfied

Despite ARGED MALESA Ostrowa Wlkp.’s lack of promotion to the PGE Ekstraliga, Mariusz Staszewski’s team had a successful season. The team won the regular season phase, and one of the riders who contributed to this was Sebastian Szostak. In his last year as a junior, he became the 28th rider in the whole METALKAS 2. Ekstraliga, but an injury deprived him of success in the Individual Junior World Championships. In an interview with us, he decided to summarize the 2024 season and share his goals for the next one.

Szostak in the METALKAS 2. Ekstraliga became the best among all juniors. In 72 starts, the rider achieved an average of 1.653 points/race, which gave him the mentioned 28th place in this ranking. Does such a result satisfy the person concerned? – Yes, I am satisfied with this season in the METALKAS 2. Ekstraliga. Maybe I don’t necessarily look at this average, because we know it’s good and nice, but I had some meetings that lowered it. Despite it being sometimes this way, sometimes that way – I am satisfied – he said.

Szostak combined his starts for ARGED MALESA Ostrowa Wlkp with the most prestigious tournament for juniors, SGP 2. He finished it in eighth place, not participating in the last tournament due to an injury. Could the 21-year-old have stood on the podium of the Individual Junior World Championships if not for the fall? – I think so, because after the tournament in Riga I was two points short of third place, and I finished it in the semi-final, being second after the regular phase. If not for the fall, I think I would have been in the final, which would have given me not eight but at least fourteen points. Before Torun, there were many scenarios, but nevertheless, I think the chance for a medal was big – he continues.

Due to the injury, the rider also missed the last and crucial match in the METALKAS 2. Ekstraliga. Is rehabilitation still needed after the fall? – Now I need it less. There was a lot of rehabilitation after those breaks when we immediately started cooperating with NewReh. We quickly got the spine to a state that I could still go for two training sessions at the end of the season, so now it’s okay. Of course, when doing other things, sometimes I feel the back slightly, but a little more time is needed. Once again, I thank all the sponsors for the support and Mr. Marcel from NewReh – says Szostak.

For several riders, the 2025 season will be the first in the role of a senior. One of them is Sebastian Szostak, who, as he himself claims, is not afraid of the new situation. – This will already be my sixth or seventh year in speedway, and that’s how I treat it. This season showed me that junior races were not my strong point and a lot of points did not come from these races, so I think and believe that it will be good – he admits.

Many new faces have joined ARGED MALESA Ostrowa. Tobiasz Musielak, Wiktor Jasiński, Gleb Chugunov, and Chris Holder left, while Norbert Krakowiak, Oliver Berntzon, and Luke Becker joined. Will the team have the same striking power as this season? – It’s hard to say. This year, on paper, we were a team for promotion, and that promotion should have happened, but it turned out differently. In the playoffs, anything can happen, so we need to gather points for the league table to be in good positions, and then we can think about what comes next – the rider assesses.

What are the 21-year-old’s goals for the next year? – I probably don’t have strictly defined goals. Some things cannot be planned because not everything is within your control, and I think I will focus on each match individually, and we will see what it brings. I would like the upcoming season to be like this one or a little better, and I would be very happy with that – concluded Sebastian Szostak.

Marcin Rusewicz