Sunday 30th September 2012, 00:25

GP Challenge winner Krzysztof Kasprzak says he will take his Cardiff magic into 2013 after ending his four-year World Championship exile in Gorican on Saturday.

The Polish international won the qualifier on 11 points, while Matej Zagar and Niels-Kristian Iversen came out on top in an epic five-man run-off for the other two qualification places.

Kasprzak has served as second reserve for this season’s series and covered for the injured Kenneth Bjerre at the FIM Fogo British SGP in Cardiff, where he bagged second spot behind Chris Holder.

The Poole and Gorzow man, who also rode in the FIM Dansk Metal Nordic SGP in Vojens last Saturday, was only called up for the Millennium Stadium showpiece at 9am the day before the meeting.

KK says this helped him go into the event more relaxed and the rider is keen to take a more chilled attitude into 2013 after admitting he made 2008 – his one and only season in the SGP series – far too stressful.

He said: “It won’t be like 2008. It was always a big stress before the Grand Prix – I had a new engine at every GP and everything was new.

“I must go into every Grand Prix like I went to Cardiff. They only called me on the morning before the meeting and I nearly won it.

“I must relax and go into the GP like that. Only the fans and press make it something big. The GP is like a normal meeting for me.”

Kasprzak was relieved to steer clear of the five-man, four-race shoot-out between Zagar, Iversen, Ales Dryml, Leon Madsen and Troy Batchelor for the last two qualification spots after they all finished on 10.

He said: “Those four races were like something out of a casino – like roulette. I think all of those riders could have raced in the Grand Prix – they’re very good riders. But only two could qualify and I’m very happy it’s Matej and Niels. We race together in Gorzow and we are good friends.”

Kasprzak avoided being dragged into this battle with a superb start to win heat 18 and clinch qualification outright. The Leszno-born man could have buckled under the pressure of taking on SGP rider Peter Ljung, Batchelor and compatriot Adrian Miedzinski in arguably the biggest race of his career to date.

But KK kept his nerve brilliantly. He said: “For the first two metres my bike was dead, but after that it was better.

“I knew this race was a big job. I had been working towards it for four years since I went out of the Grand Prix and I knew I couldn’t make a mistake in this race. I’m very happy I won.”

Kasprzak still has plenty to play for this year. He is in the Polish Ekstraliga play-off final with Gorzow and rides for Poole at home to Lakeside in their Elite League semi-final, second leg on Monday.

He admits his Challenge triumph comes as a major boost ahead of these huge club matches.

“Now I’m even more confident for Monday,” he said. “Poole will make the final. It will be very tough for Gorzow, but I hope they can win against Tarnow and lift the trophy.”

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