Speedway Revolution at Sparta Wrocław: Star Rider’s Future in Doubt After Shocking Loss
GRUDZIĄDZ, Poland — Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Sparta Wrocław’s aura of invincibility in the 2026 PGE Ekstraliga season shattered on a chilly Monday night in Grudziądz, where a 42-48 defeat to Bayersystem GKM exposed cracks in the team’s once-dominant lineup. Now, with their manager hinting at sweeping changes—including the potential departure of a marquee rider—the Polish speedway giants face an unexpected reckoning just weeks into the campaign.
The Collapse: How GKM Grudziądz Exploited Sparta’s Weaknesses
Sparta entered the match at the Grudziądz Municipal Stadium with an unblemished 2-0 record, having dispatched Stelmet Falubaz Zielona Góra and Gezet Stal Gorzów in commanding fashion. But against a GKM side fighting for playoff positioning, their vulnerabilities were laid bare.
The turning point came midway through the 15-heat contest. After trailing 18-24 at the halfway mark, Sparta’s usually reliable top trio—Maciej Janowski, Gleb Chugunov and Andrzej Lebedev—struggled to find rhythm on the slick, damp track. GKM’s Artiom Laguta, the 2023 world champion, delivered a masterclass, scoring 14 points (including two heat wins) to single-handedly retain his team in contention.
“The middle phase of the match was where they pulled away,” admitted Sparta manager Piotr Protasiewicz in post-race comments published by Przegląd Sportowy. “We didn’t adjust to the changing track conditions, and GKM capitalized.”
Laguta’s heroics weren’t enough to secure GKM’s victory alone, but Sparta’s supporting cast failed to step up. Reserve rider Kamil Brzozowski managed just 2 points, while Janowski—typically a scoring machine—finished with 9, his lowest tally of the season.
Verified Scorecard
| Rider | Team | Points | Heat Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artiom Laguta | GKM Grudziądz | 14 | 2 |
| Maciej Janowski | Sparta Wrocław | 9 | 1 |
| Gleb Chugunov | Sparta Wrocław | 8 | 1 |
| Andrzej Lebedev | Sparta Wrocław | 7 | 0 |
| Kamil Brzozowski | Sparta Wrocław | 2 | 0 |
Protasiewicz’s Warning: “We Can Throw It in the Trash”
The loss itself was a setback, but Protasiewicz’s post-match remarks sent shockwaves through the speedway community. In an interview with speedwaynews.pl, the veteran manager—who has led Sparta to three Ekstraliga titles since 2020—hinted at drastic measures if performances don’t improve.
“We have to be honest with ourselves,” Protasiewicz said. “If What we have is the level we’re at, we can throw the season in the trash. There will be changes—some riders may not fit the system anymore.”
While Protasiewicz stopped short of naming names, speculation immediately centered on Maciej Janowski, Sparta’s highest-paid rider and a fan favorite. Janowski, a two-time Polish champion, has struggled with consistency this season, raising questions about his long-term future with the club. His contract runs through 2027, but Ekstraliga teams frequently adjust rosters mid-season to address form slumps.
“It seems to me that this ride is getting better,” Janowski told reporters after the match, a cryptic remark that did little to quell rumors. When pressed about his future, he declined further comment.
Ekstraliga Standings: Sparta’s Lead Shrinks, GKM Climbs
The defeat drops Sparta to 4 points in the Ekstraliga standings, though they remain tied for first place with PRES Grupa Deweloperska Toruń, who edged out Orlen Oil Motor Lublin 50-40 on the same night. GKM Grudziądz, meanwhile, leapfrogs into fifth place with 3 points, just one behind fourth-place Stal Gorzów.
With the top six teams advancing to the playoffs, every point is critical. Sparta’s next two fixtures—against Toruń (May 5) and Lublin (May 12)—will test whether Monday’s loss was an aberration or the start of a troubling trend.
Current PGE Ekstraliga Standings (Top 6)
| Position | Team | Points | Last 5 Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sparta Wrocław | 4 | W-W-L |
| 1 | PRES Toruń | 4 | W-W-W |
| 3 | Stelmet Falubaz Zielona Góra | 3 | W-L-W |
| 4 | Gezet Stal Gorzów | 3 | L-W-W |
| 5 | GKM Grudziądz | 3 | L-L-W |
| 6 | Orlen Oil Motor Lublin | 2 | W-L-L |
Why Sparta Struggled: Tactical Missteps and Track Conditions
Speedway is a sport where modest margins dictate outcomes, and Monday’s match highlighted several areas where Sparta fell short:
- Track Adaptation: The Grudziądz surface was slower and more technical than Wrocław’s home track, favoring riders with strong cornering skills. GKM’s Jonas Jeppesen and Wadim Tarasienko exploited this, scoring 10 and 9 points respectively, while Sparta’s top trio struggled to find traction.
- Heat Management: Sparta’s strategy relies heavily on their first three riders building early leads. When Janowski, Chugunov, and Lebedev failed to deliver, the team was forced to rely on reserves who couldn’t close the gap.
- Laguta’s Dominance: Artiom Laguta’s performance was a masterclass in racecraft. His ability to hold the inside line and accelerate out of turns neutralized Sparta’s usual advantage in straight-line speed.
“We knew Laguta would be dangerous, but we didn’t do enough to limit him,” Protasiewicz admitted. “That’s on us as a coaching staff.”
Sparta’s Recent Dominance: A Brief History
Sparta Wrocław has been the gold standard in Polish speedway for nearly a decade. Since Piotr Protasiewicz took over as manager in 2018, the team has won three Ekstraliga titles (2020, 2022, 2023) and finished as runners-up in 2021 and 2024. Their 2025 campaign ended in disappointment—a third-place finish after losing the bronze-medal playoff to GKM Grudziądz—but this season was supposed to mark a return to glory.
The team’s early-season form had fans dreaming of a fourth title. Victories over Zielona Góra (54-36) and Gorzów (51-39) were dominant, with Janowski and Chugunov combining for 30+ points in each match. But Monday’s loss raises questions about whether Sparta’s aging core can sustain their success.
“Speedway is a young man’s game,” said Tomasz Gollob, a former Ekstraliga champion and current analyst for TVP Sport. “Sparta’s riders are still elite, but they’re not getting any younger. If Janowski isn’t at his best, the whole system suffers.”
What’s Next for Sparta Wrocław?
The immediate focus shifts to Sparta’s next match—a high-stakes clash against Toruń on Monday, May 5 at the MotoArena Toruń. Toruń, led by Bartosz Zmarzlik (the 2022 and 2023 world champion), is riding a three-match winning streak and will be eager to leapfrog Sparta in the standings.
Beyond the schedule, all eyes are on Protasiewicz’s next move. The manager has a reputation for bold decisions—he famously benched Janowski for two matches in 2023 to “reset” his focus—and few would be surprised if he makes a roster change before the Toruń match.
Possible scenarios include:
- Janowski’s Future: If Protasiewicz believes Janowski’s struggles are mental rather than physical, a short benching could be in order. However, if the issue is age-related decline, Sparta may explore mid-season transfers, though Ekstraliga rules limit roster changes after June 15.
- Reserve Reinforcements: Brzozowski’s poor performance (2 points) may open the door for Maksym Drabik, a 22-year-old rising star who has impressed in limited appearances this season.
- Tactical Adjustments: Protasiewicz could tweak the team’s heat strategy, prioritizing early leads from Chugunov and Lebedev to reduce reliance on Janowski.
One thing is certain: Sparta can’t afford another slip-up. With Toruń and Lublin looming, the next two weeks will define their season.
Key Takeaways
- Sparta’s unbeaten streak is over: A 42-48 loss to GKM Grudziądz ends their perfect start to the 2026 Ekstraliga season.
- Protasiewicz threatens changes: The manager’s post-match comments suggest roster moves could be imminent, with Janowski’s future in doubt.
- Laguta’s heroics: GKM’s Artiom Laguta scored 14 points, nearly single-handedly securing the win for his team.
- Standings shake-up: Sparta and Toruń are now tied atop the Ekstraliga table, with GKM climbing into playoff contention.
- Next test: Sparta faces Toruń on May 5 in a match that could decide first-half supremacy.
How to Follow the Story
For real-time updates on Sparta Wrocław and the PGE Ekstraliga, follow these official sources:
- PGE Ekstraliga Official Website (for live scores, standings, and news)
- Sparta Wrocław Official Website (for team announcements and ticket info)
- PGE Ekstraliga Twitter (for live commentary and highlights)
