Lebedev survives chaotic final to claim podium finish
Latvian speedway rider Andžejs Lebedev finished third in a final that had to be restarted twice at the third round of the individual European Championship, and currently sits tenth overall.
Latvian speedway rider Andžejs Lebedev took third place in a chaotic final race at the third round of the individual speedway European Championship.
In qualifying, Lebedev won two of his five heats, finished second in one, and placed third in another two. That result did not automatically secure him a place in the final, so a run-off heat was needed. Lebedev won that extra race and advanced to the final alongside Danish rider Leon Madsen.
Multiple crashes disrupt the final
The final itself had to be restarted after a collision between Madsen and Polish rider Maciej Janowski. A second attempt, again featuring three riders, also saw a minor crash, forcing a third start. This time the race ran without incident: Polish rider Kacper Woryna took the win, Janowski finished second, and Lebedev came in third. Madsen, who had caused the first collision, was left without a result from that heat.
Standings after three rounds
After three rounds of the season, Woryna leads the overall standings with 34 points, with Madsen close behind on the same tally. Janowski and Danish rider Mikkel Jepsen-Jensen share third place with 33 points each. Lebedev's 20 points place him tenth overall.
Lebedev's season has been inconsistent so far: he finished 12th at the opening round in Zielona Góra in July, then placed 15th in Germany in early September. The fourth and final round of the season is scheduled for October 2 in Pardubice, Czech Republic.
Lebedev is a two-time European champion, first winning the title in 2017 — becoming the first Latvian speedway rider to do so — and repeating the achievement in 2024. Last season he finished as runner-up, with the title going to Poland's Patryk Dudek.
