Six-time FIM Speedway world champion Tony Rickardsson, Aussie Speedway GP star Max Fricke, FIM Track Racing Commission director Armando Castagna and FIM Speedway race director Phil Morris are set to coach the next generation of stars at the FIM SGP Academy – Down Under from January 22-24.
Adelaide venue Gillman Speedway plays host to the first FIM SGP Academy of 2025, staged in partnership between FIM Speedway global promoter Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, motorcycling’s global governing body, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), and Australia’s national governing body, Motorcycling Australia (MA).
Applications are now open for riders aged 10-21 for the Gillman event. Please apply by completing the application form HERE, or contact MA’s events manager Sam Redfern via track@ma.org.au for more information.
There will be two further FIM SGP Academies in Europe in 2025, with Swedish club Malilla also hosting a training camp in early July as part of its FIM Speedway GP of Sweden (July 5) and FIM SGP2 of Sweden (July 4) double-header weekend.
Polish city Torun will also play host to an FIM SGP Academy as part of FIM Speedway of Nations week from September 30 until October 4, giving young riders a golden opportunity to witness their national teams in action up close, while getting some words of wisdom both on and off the bike.
Building on the success of the FIM SGP Academy in Czech capital Prague this year, as well as two previous academies Down Under, the three 2025 FIM SGP Academies will feature on-track training sessions, as well as off-track coaching in many aspects of the sport, including sporting and anti-doping regulations, starting and riding techniques, bike preparation, media and social media, sponsorship, fitness and health.
For the Gillman event, there are 20 places guaranteed for Australian riders, with five spots also open to international entrants. Riders can train on 125cc, 190cc, 250cc or 500cc bikes, with limited bikes available to youngsters travelling from abroad, with prior request and coordination required with Motorcycling Australia.
Rickardsson famously lifted his fifth FIM Speedway world title at Sydney’s Accor Stadium in 2002 and can’t wait to jet back Down Under to coach a new generation of riders from Australia and beyond.
He said: “I have some special memories of competing in Australia, so it’s a real pleasure to come back in January and coach the young riders at the first-ever FIM SGP Academy – Down Under, staged in partnership between WBD Sports, the FIM and Motorcycling Australia.
“Our FIM SGP Academy in Prague was a real success and attracted youngsters from all over the world. It was the perfect opportunity to help riders develop their skills on the track away from the pressure of a race meeting.
“It was also a chance to give them and their families some important information about other aspects of the sport – from managing the media and sponsorship commitments to taking care of their health and fitness.
“I can’t wait to meet the riders and their families at Gillman Speedway in January for what should be an unforgettable few days, and I look forward to coaching our young stars in both Malilla and Torun later in the year.”
Castagna and Morris are also delighted to return Down Under after coaching at previous training camps staged by Motorcycling Australia.
Castagna commented: “I am looking forward to being back at Gillman for the first stop of the 2025 FIM SGP Academy calendar, and meeting a generation of riders who will hopefully make it into FIM Speedway competition in the coming years.
“We thank our partners at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and Motorcycling Australia for their efforts in bringing this project to fruition, and with FIM SGP Academies in both Europe and Oceania in 2025, we hope to offer our young riders the best possible chance of building a great career in the sport.”
Morris added: “Riders from Australia and their families really do travel a lot of kilometres for meetings and practice sessions Down Under, with the dream of making it into the European leagues and FIM Speedway events one day.
“We hope staging our first FIM SGP Academy of the year at Gillman will inspire and support young riders hoping to achieve that ambition. With a six-time world champion in Tony [Rickardsson] making the trip, this truly is a unique opportunity for riders to learn from one of the all-time greats, as well as a current Speedway GP star in Max [Fricke].”
FIM Speedway World Championships director Laura Manciet of WBD Sports commented: “We are delighted to join forces with our partners at the FIM and MA, as well as Tony Rickardsson and Max Fricke, to bring the FIM SGP Academy to Gillman.
“With four Australian riders lining up in Speedway GP next season, there has never been a better time to inspire a new generation of riders to follow Jason Doyle, Jack Holder, Max Fricke and Brady Kurtz into the SGP series one day.
“That starts with offering the young riders and their families the best possible coaching, and we will definitely have that at Gillman in January. I look forward to seeing our Speedway GP stars of the future on track.”
Applications can be submitted HERE, or please contact Sam Redfern via track@ma.org.au for more information.
Words & Feature Image by Speedway GP
