In case you missed it see what’s in this section
We recommend
Let's Talk
Your Total Guide To sport
Grajczonek talks Speedway fitness and Grand Prix prospects
With the 2016 Speedway Elite League now well under way, Total Sport’s Ryan Walker spoke with Swindon Robins rider Josh Grajczonek to talk preparation, race performance and the task ahead.
While some people don’t understand the need to be in good physical shape due to Speedway being a sit-down sport, riders actually put hours and hours of hard work into building their fitness and strength for the year ahead. And Grajczonek was happy to share what he has been doing in the gym as he prepares for what is his biggest season yet.
“Prior to the season the main aim is to get fit and stay lean.” Grajczonek began.
“It’s all about being sharp. If your fit then your physically and mentally sharp which is so important.
“I don’t think fitness mattered as much a few years ago but you look at the likes of Tai Woffinden and Jason Doyle and how fit they are, then you have to up your game to get to their level, he said.
“Me and Charles [Wright] go to the gym together which is really good as we push each other, a lot of it is cardio work to be honest.
“I do an hour on the bikes in the gym and then focus on some upper body strength work," he added.
Riding in the British Elite League since 2009 for the Belle Vue Aces, Poole Pirates, and Swindon Robins back in 2011, Josh Grajczonek fully understands the inner workings at Elite League clubs but admits that the set-up at Swindon is different to other teams.
“I think it is definitely a different set-up here at Swindon than compared to the likes of Belle Vue and Poole,” Grajczonek explained.
“I’m no stranger here, I’ve ridden here in the past and have done a lot of guest bookings here as well.
“It’s really good to be back though and I’m feeling fresh. I’m riding at Somerset again this year which is good as well as I’ve been there a few years now," he added.
With the Somerset Rebels having arguably the best track in Britain and the Swindon Robins’ regularly receiving criticism from riders and pundits alike, most would expect Grajczonek to struggle when switching between the two. However the Swindon rider doesn’t expect this to be a problem and struggles to understand the negativity surrounding the Abbey track.
“I really like the track here at Swindon,” Grajczonek said.
“It’s a big and fast track which is what we are used to back home in Australia and that’s what all of us here want.
“You’ve also got to turn your bike here too though so it helps on both aspects of riding I suppose,” he added.
At the age of 26 Josh Grajczonek is still a relatively young rider, and admits that on a personal level his aim this year is to push himself harder than ever before to fight for those Grand Prix and World cup places.
“I would love to race at Grand Prix level and be a regular for Australia in the World Cup,“ Grajczonek claimed.
“You never aim to have the same year as last year and you always try to better yourself.
“I think with all the Aussies here at Swindon you try to push each other further because as much as we want to see each other do well, all of us want to push for those World Cup Spots,” he added.
Weather in Swindon
Listings