ŻUŻEL/INTERVIEW/PGEE: Michał Ciurzyński: My Speedway Adventure Was Short, but Interesting

Michał Ciurzyński is a former rider of the current KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ Czestochowa, 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
• On his work as a mechanic for Rune Holta, Ryan Sullivan, and Grzegorz Walasek
• Initially, Alan himself treated it as fun. In the meantime, I had thoughts in my head that he’d ride for fun, and then maybe it would pass – on his son Alan Ciurzyński’s career
• Follow our official profiles on social media

Norbert Giżyński (ekstraliga.pl): How did your speedway adventure begin?

Michał Ciurzyński (former rider of KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ Czestochowa): I admit, I enrolled in the school a bit late, at the age of around 15. I persuaded my mom to finally give written consent. It was tough, but eventually, I convinced her and managed to enroll in the speedway school, where the classes were led by Mr. Wiktor Jastrzębski. Under his guidance, I learned a lot. After about two years, I took the speedway license exam in Gniezno, including with Krzysztof Stempel. Then there were the first official rides.

You were a member of WŁÓKNIARZ MALMA Czestochowa in 1999 when the team advanced to the top division, later renamed the Speedway Ekstraliga. You were then called up for four matches in total. How do you remember those times?

I remember them very fondly and nicely, it was a great team back then. It was an interesting adventure. I remember my league debut. It was a match of WŁÓKNIARZ MALMA against UNIA Tarnów (April 5 in Czestochowa – ed.). The coach (Andrzej Jurczyński – ed.) called me up for the thirteenth race (which was one of the nominated races during league meetings – ed.). I started in that race and scored a point; I was paired with Robert Mikołajczak. That was a great experience. I must also add that back then the rule of KSM (Calculated Match Average – ed.) was in effect. It turned out that I had one of the weaker averages, which was 2.50. And juniors after passing the license usually had KSMs of those heights. Coaches often juggled, so to speak, to match the riders to the designated teams so that they would not exceed the maximum total number of all KSM averages. It was a nice adventure – there’s no debate.

In two meetings, you managed to score, as you mentioned, on April 5 in Czestochowa against Tarnów’s UNIA and on the 25th of the same month in Rzeszów. Even though you only scored one “point” in those struggles, they were certainly valuable. After all, they contributed to WŁÓKNIARZ MALMA’s victories over UNIA – 59:31, and over STAL II Rzeszów– 53:37.

Were they valuable? It’s not for me to assess. Anyway, I think they were important. There is certainly some joy when you bring at least a point to the finish line, and not a “zero”. I certainly remember those times fondly. In Rzeszów, when I brought a “point” to the finish (race no. 7 of the event – ed.), I was riding in a duet with Mark Loram. It was a huge honor for me to start in a race with such a rider.

It was certainly also an honor to be part of the team that won the league tier, wasn’t it?

Of course. Still, one can say that my participation in it all was minor (laughs).

You claim it was minor, but it’s no accident to be in a team that is the best at a given league level of competition…

Not every rider was given a chance to appear in a league match. There were many speedway riders who went through the school, then through the license exam, and didn’t ride in the league. So, it was certainly a success in its own way to start in any match. That’s a fact that is not up for debate.

After the 1999 season, you ended your riding career. Why did you make that decision?

Simply put, there was no progress. In such situations, an athlete ends the entire sporting adventure, in this case, speedway. I also remember that around the turn of the centuries, both me and Krzysztof Stempel were loaned by the Czestochowa club to KS “VICTORIA ROLNICKI” from Machowa, which at that time was supposed to start in the 2nd League. Józef Kafel was supposed to be the coach of this team. The decision to start in the competition was prolonged. Ultimately, the club did not join the competition due to financial problems. Eventually, even the career ended not as much as the adventure. At the same time, I was drawn towards mechanics – I really enjoyed working on motorcycles. This was also much fun for me.

However, you remained in the “black sport”. You worked as a mechanic for high-caliber riders like Rune Holta, Ryan Sullivan, and Grzegorz Walasek. Surely your contribution was fruitful, right?

There was certainly some at least slight contribution to the form of the riders I worked with. The successes of these speedway riders exemplify this best. Grzegorz Walasek, Rune Holta, or Ryan Sullivan were indeed top riders of Polish and world lead. It was an honor for me to work for them.

Currently, speedway traditions in your family are continued by your son, Alan. Already last year he showed undoubtedly that he has the skills for racing. His results, especially in competitions held in Czestochowa, were compelling. He impressed with his posture, movement on the motorcycle, and above all his skill in overtaking opponents over a distance. Did you advise Alan on speedway riding?

– Regarding riding, Alan couldn’t take me as an example (laughs). After all, I rode the way I did, so there is really no comparison here. Seriously speaking, I am happy about his progress. Alan developed that whole firm posture while riding on mini speedway (85cc–190cc – ed.), and then it translated into his form when he moved to bikes with larger displacements (first 250 cc, then 500 cc). That was an element that Alan adapted to very quickly. He rides smoothly and lightly, which in speedway is very important. And the fact that he performs this way is due to the coaches. Of course, I also try to advise him when I notice something in a given situation, e.g., how to “choose” the racing line, but I did not interfere in terms of his riding style. He just has something that comes out well for him (smile).

When you found out that Alan wants to take up speedway, what was your first reaction? Satisfaction that your son wants to follow in his father’s footsteps? Or perhaps fear that he is deciding on such a risk?

Initially, Alan himself treated it as a fun. In the meantime, I had thoughts that he would ride for a while and perhaps it would go away. He started riding a motorcycle at the age of 9. And at that age, many people think they want to become a football player or a basketball player; at that age, there are many ideas. As I said a moment ago, I wasn’t 100% sure he would decide to finally ride speedway. I suspected he would ride for a while and maybe get into something else. However, he caught the speedway bug and is continuing it. Of course, I am a parent, so there is stress associated with that. Especially after he transitioned to 500 cc last year and I saw it all. In this motorcycle class, the competition is already more serious. I am with him in the pit park and then when he heads out to the track, I watch it with my own eyes. Of course, it’s one thing to work for a rider, but when it’s your own child racing, emotions are at their peak.

Alan has already shown himself to be an ambitious rider. Certainly, he will want to take the next steps forward and maybe even fight for a basic league seat in the KRONO-PLAST WŁÓKNIARZ Czestochowa. Nevertheless, the competition might be great, although some juniors have decided to end their careers.

Regarding fighting for a spot in the league lineup, everything must proceed calmly. I don’t want to put pressure or stress here. Alan continues to learn, and there is still a lot of learning ahead of him. For now, we want him to simply develop, and even have fun with all of this. We will see what comes out of it later. He already surprised me last season. I initially thought that he might take the license exam in the 500 cc class in June to get used to this entire speed. After all, these motorcycles have entirely different power, unlike the 250cc. It takes some getting used to. Then, as it turned out, after a few training sessions he passed the license in the 500cc class, and later he took off like a catapult. He quickly started in the Polish Junior Team Championships, where the youngest ones also learn this sport, then made his debut in the U24 Ekstraliga. Then the coach of the national team Rafał Dobrucki noticed him, thanks to which he also participated in the Junior Reserve Team tournaments. He showed himself nicely in all these mentioned endeavors. No one is sure what will happen in the 2025 season. The most important thing is to have calm.

In case of anything, do you have any alternatives prepared for Alan? For example, the possibility of loaning him to one of the clubs in the lower Polish leagues?

As of today, I think this is rather not an option. For now, he is here in Czestochowa, but time will show how things will unfold further. For now, let him fight (smile).

How are Alan’s preparations for the 2025 season going currently? Which aspect of preparation are you particularly focusing on?

At the moment, general development training is the foundation. In terms of equipment preparations, we will deal with that a bit later, and I will also have a part in it. We will make sure that the motorcycles are ready for the season. For now, Alan is running or training in the gym. He must continue working on his fitness. The better the fitness, the calmer the mind.

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

I wish him that with all my heart! But there is a long road ahead. I am glad he has such ambitious goals. We will see what will come of it. It is known that every ambitious person wants to do something specific, they strive to complete it accurately and fully. Since Alan said that, it’s great!”

Norbert Giżyński