German shooting star Hannah Grunwald sensationally saw off reigning champion Celina Liebmann to win the FIM Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy in Croatia on Saturday.
The world’s biggest all-female speedway event in Donji Kraljevec was the culmination of a two-day FIM Women’s Speedway Academy, which saw riders hone their skills with expert coaching from four-time Speedway GP world champion Greg Hancock and British former FIM Long Track team world champion Glen Phillips on Thursday and Friday.
The result was a hugely competitive event, which saw Grunwald and her fellow German star Liebmann both qualify for the final unbeaten with 12 points from four rides.
While former SGP2 star Liebmann was hotly tipped for victory, 17-year-old Grunwald made a sublime start to take an unforgettable win, with Liebmann producing a fine ride to pass compatriot Jenny Apfelbeck for second as Germany claimed all three spots on the podium. Danish rider Louise Funch Larsen finished fourth.
Grunwald’s victory earns her a trip to the OlyBet FIM Speedway GP of Latvia – Riga on August 2, courtesy of FIM Speedway global promoter Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, where she will play a key role in the event and celebrate alongside the best riders in the world.
Reflecting on her triumph in Croatia, Grunwald said: “It was a great day, and I am so happy. The two days of the academy and the Gold Trophy were great fun. I really, really learned a lot. They were two hard days. But it was a great academy, and I met a lot of great people.”
Grunwald was delighted to lead an all-German podium. She said: “We have a lot of good women in Germany. Celina is very good, and I am as well. I’m so happy with this win.”
Liebmann has been battling with a hip injury in recent months, only making her track return this week. She was pleased to race her way to the silver medal – adding to her historic victory at the inaugural Gold Trophy in Teterow, Germany last season.
She said: “I am still vice world champion. Of course, I wanted to defend my title, but I also didn’t want to put myself in the position where I said, ‘I will win.’ I am injured and I didn’t race for two and a half months. Hannah did, and she did really well.
“I have had a really bad cold for a few days, so for me, this is still a good result. You can’t always be first. This year it is second place, and next year, it’s a new chance and a new race.”
There is no doubt that the standard of the sport’s female stars has again increased significantly since the 2024 competition in Teterow, and Liebmann would love to see the Gold Trophy upgraded to full world-championship status.
She said: “I think we are getting closer. I think everyone sees now that the girls are really fast. It’s not just one or two girls who are fast; there are a few girls who are really fast. They have learned and continued to learn and get better. I think there is a good chance for it to be a World Championship next year. We have the numbers.”
Third-placed Apfelbeck won the last-chance qualifier to take her place in the final and was pleased to complete the top three.
She said: “I am feeling really great. My team and I worked really hard, and it was awesome. I learned a few new things at the academy, and it was amazing to have three German riders on the podium. We have a lot of races in Germany and that clearly helps us.”
While 13 riders took part in the 500cc FIM Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy, which was open to riders aged 16 or over, four young stars also competed in the Youth Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy of Croatia for 250cc riders under 16.
The class was won by British sensation Demi Blu Harris, with the 14-year-old, who trains regularly at Ipswich, roaring to a 12-point maximum.
“I am really happy,” she said. “It’s probably the best thing I have ever done. I think I have got faster as the days have gone on. I was just enjoying myself out there. Hopefully I can come back next year.”
American legend Hancock was elated with the progress his students made over an intense two days of training at the FIM Women’s Speedway Academy, and paid tribute to winner Grunwald. He said: “Hannah has shown so much improvement and determination over the last year. You could see that she wanted this.
“Every race she did was like a rinse and repeat. She didn’t make a mistake, and she rode the same lines. I noticed she shut the throttle off at the same time at the finish line. She had played this over and over in her head. Then she did what she came here to do.
“The event was really exciting to watch. You wouldn’t know if we were looking at women or men on the track in some cases. Some of those races were insane.
“You can still see there is a gap in the level overall, but this gap is starting to get closer and closer, and the racing was awesome. Every single one of them has made improvements. You noticed it when they went to the tapes. All of those improvements were amplified because of the adrenaline. They have all raised their level.
“It was great to be here. It was awesome to see the enthusiasm and the growth. These girls are showing they want a league of their own and they want to have titles. They are driven just as much as anyone else.”
The FIM Women’s Speedway event was organised in partnership between the FIM Track Racing Commission (CCP) and the FIM Women’s Commission (CFM). FIM Track Racing Commission director Armando Castagna is pleased to see the sport’s female stars raise the bar again.
He said: “It was extremely positive; the level is much higher than it was last year, and everything went really well. I am really happy. The support we were given by our experts like Greg and Glen was great, as well as the support we got from WBD Sports and the CFM. I am really happy, and I hope we can continue this in the future.
“We now have a decent line-up. I am really happy about it and I hope for the future that we can continue to improve this.”
Full results from the FIM Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy can be found HERE, with Youth Women’s Speedway Gold Trophy of Croatia results HERE.