Two rookies and one second time participant at the MXoN for the Polish team. After a longer time with Lucas Lonka or Tomasz Wysocki as a leader of the national team and Gabriel Chetnicki, it’s time to build brand new team, with younger guns from new generation of Polish motocross riders.
What is interesting – this is private initiative, not from federation. A group of MX Veterans and former riders called “Stara Gwardia” (Old Guard) organized this team and management where Mr. Tomasz Nowakowski is the leading manager.
The riders are:
– Jakub Barczewski (MXGP – leader)
– Damian Zdunek (MX2)
– Jakub Kowalski (Open)
Official trainer-manager is Mr. Maciej Zdunek, very experienced rider (recent leader of Vet class in Polish Championship, former multiple champion) with international coach license.
Barczewski (24) won couple of titles in different classes in Polish Championship. Member of team in MXoN 2021 (Mantova). He was starting in German ADAC Championship many times since junior classes, with last good performance in Tensfeld (personal best). Actually he is the leader of OPEN class in Polish Championship.
Zdunek (19) was the champion in 65 and 85cm class in Poland and started plenty times in Netherland since long time. Last weeks he was taking a part in special edition Keihuevel races in Belgium, where gained 18th place in MX2.
Kowalski is only 17 years old, but is riding 450 because of his height. His experience is not motocross only, as he was Polish champion in Cross Country and Enduro rally winner. International success? Two podiums in Dutch Supercross in Zuidbroek (2016) and two podiums in ONK Championship in Mill (2017). Last seasons he was an participant of the International Italian Championship (125, 450 cm).
Of course this new young team has no big expectations, as they go to Ernee for learning and more experience, but their main goal is to do best possible result, and ride for 100-110%.
Team Poland was participant in MXoN 6 times (from 2014; Kegums, Ernee, Maggiora, Matterley Basin, Assen, Mantova). Two times (Assen and Mantova) they were classified on 21st position, just one place from Final A only.
Nice to see new faces in so great event and we wish them good results!
Words: Alex Skoczek
Image: Stara Gwardia, Kuba Barczewski FB.